Kathmandu

Good actors yet not-so-impressive performances, interesting story yet flawed narration, and wonderful cinematography but not well-connected storyline — Ko Afno can’t leave a mark on you.

Lawyer Dev (Rajan Khatiwada) and Prerana (Shanti Giri) are a well-to-do couple living in Kathmandu. But Prerana is unable to conceive a child due to some complications in her reproductive organ. So, they decide to adopt a baby of Sanatan (Shushank Mainali) and his wife (Reecha Sharma) — who are living in a village running a home stay.

Sanatan and his wife, with a hope that their three-year-old son Kabin gets proper education and a good future, hands over Kabin to the childless couple. The next day, they are filled with remorse for sending away their son, and start searching for their baby. Kabin, has now grown up as pampered Kevin (Subash Thapa).

Director Anil Thapa fails in the art of storytelling. The flow of story is neither smooth, nor has that edgy pace — making it a tedious watch. The film is unable to create a link between different events that occur in the film. Occurrence of certain incidents in not justified, and the film lacks convincing ending too. Unnecessary background score doesn’t elevate

your mood!

However, quality scenes of rural areas and greenery are well captured through wide angle, making cinematography worth mentioning. The film’s another impressive part is — it is able to bring the reflection of a rustic society through apt dialogue delivery and performance of actors. But only these factors cannot save the movie, as even some of the notes actors have failed to deliver their best.

Khatiwada seems like acting on stage, and not in a movie.

Though Sharma’s performance, and her make-up of a rural woman are appealing, one wonders how she is able to speak lengthy literary dialogues, despite being an illiterate character from a village. Even Saanghuro star Mainali is unable to charm you with his acting prowess.

Menuka Pradhan, who plays the role of Kevin’s girlfriend Anamika, is able to show her fear and shy nature through her acts.

Had more effort been made in the storytelling, along with getting the best from these actors, Ko Afno could have been a better watch.