Anit Thapa Urges Inclusion of Nepali Films in Regional Cinema Policy in GTA

GTA Chief Submits Formal Request to CM Mamata Banerjee for Cultural Representation of Nepali Language in West Bengal’s Film Policy 

KalimNews | August 14, 2025 | Kalimpong: In a significant appeal for cultural inclusion, Anit Thapa, Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), has formally requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to include Nepali-language films under the state’s Mandatory Regional Cinema Screening Policy, specifically for the GTA region.

In his letter, Thapa warmly welcomed the West Bengal government’s initiative to promote regional cinema through mandatory screenings across cinema halls in the state. He called it a commendable step towards preserving and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity. However, he stressed that for the policy to truly reflect the cultural fabric of the state, it must also include Nepali-language films in regions like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and other hill areas, where Nepali is the lingua franca and forms the cultural bedrock of the local population.

Thapa urged that cinema halls operating within the GTA region should be mandated to screen Nepali-language films, just as other regional language films are being promoted across Bengal. He emphasized that Nepali-language cinema is not just a form of entertainment, but an essential pillar of identity, storytelling, and cultural expression for the Gorkha community.

He warned that without such targeted inclusion, the concept of “regional cinema” remains incomplete and risks marginalizing voices from the hills. “If our indigenous and local film culture is not preserved or given adequate representation,” he wrote, “the policy for regional cinema will remain partial, and the voices and stories of the GTA region risk being erased.”

He further added that this inclusion would help nurture emerging Nepali filmmakers, open opportunities for local talent, and inspire a new generation of artists from the hills. Thapa stressed that such a move would strengthen the state’s inclusive cultural vision, something that the West Bengal government has long stood for.

On his official Facebook page, Thapa reiterated the appeal in Nepali, expressing hope that the state government will respond positively. In his post, he wrote:

“Today I have written a letter to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, requesting the inclusion of Nepali-language films under the mandatory regional cinema policy for the GTA region. I have stated that the efforts by the West Bengal government to preserve and promote languages, cultures, and regional cinema across various parts of the country are laudable.

In this context, it is my sincere appeal that, for the cultural identity and prosperity of the Nepali-speaking community under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, provisions be made to mandatorily screen Nepali-language films in local cinema halls.

If our original and local film culture is not protected and adequately represented, then the regional cinema policy remains incomplete, and the voices and stories of the GTA region fade into oblivion. This policy, once implemented, will not only energize young Nepali filmmakers but also create opportunities for new talent and further reinforce the inclusive cultural outlook of the state.

Our linguistic and cultural identity deserves rightful space in state-level policies and their execution. I hope for a positive and progressive response from the West Bengal government.

Thapa concluded with an appeal for recognition and integration of the Nepali language and culture into the mainstream policies of the state. He expressed hope that the government, known for its inclusive governance, would uphold this spirit by taking meaningful steps toward the representation of GTA’s linguistic and cultural identity in its regional cinema framework