Cast: Shilpa Pokhrel, Kishor Khatiwoda, Sabin Shrestha, Suleman Shankar (Ikku), Deshbhakta Khanal, Sarita Lamichhane(Special Appearance)
Director: Rishi Lamichane

‘Hawaldar Suntali’ is a journey of female police constable, Suntali who was sexually violated by her senior officers. After Lajja, this is another Chhabiraj Production featuring Shilpa Pokhrel in the lead role. The movie made on the real story of police officer Suntali Dhami. Directed by famous director Rishi Lamichhane, it also features Kishor Khatiwoda and Sabin Shrestha.

Police constable Dhami had filed a case against her six colleagues accusing them of gang raping her on the day of Vijaya Dashami on September 27, 2009. They were arrested on October 7, 2009 and a case of rape was filed against three of them, now convicted, on November 2, 2009 after being suspended a day earlier. Three other accused Sub-Inspector Dan Singh Bhandari, head constable Biradutta Badu and constable Naribhan Mahatara were released on November 1 saying they were innocent. Single Bench of District Court Judge Prakash Kharel convicted head constables Birendra Bam and Karbir Thalal and constable Jagadish Pandey. Bam has been sentenced to six years in jail and fined Rs 100,000 while Thalal and Pandey have been sentenced to three years in jail. Based on this event, ‘Hawaldar Suntali’ attempts to portray a similar story of sexual violence against female police officers by their senior officers.

‘Hawaldar Suntali’ is an action packed movie with a good script, but the presentation isn’t quite gratifying. However, I do appreciate the maker’s attempt to choose a matter that presents the immorality within those who have taken vows to protect the society. It’s a very sensitive matter, but they failed to produce enough spark out of it. Also a lot of events in the movie don’t make any sense. For instance, when Nisha talks with dying Suntali in a hospital, I had no idea where that diary popped out from. Suntali was in her sari and it was clear that she was not holding it when she was harmed. At the climax, when the Superintendent of Police (S.P) ran away from court, nobody body was there to take him under control. Only Suntali had to chase him? That didn’t look much obvious.

The songs are very well choreographed and some way it did help in advancing the story. Editing was flawed. It was visible when Suntali was killed by ‘Khukuri’ was blood was to spread out of her stomach. All the flaws aside, the performance of each actor was good. Silpa Pokhrel in particular was incredibly confident in the double role of a bold orphan girl and a police officer.

Plot:
Nisha (Shilpa Pokhrel) is a grown-up orphan girl who has taken responsibility of looking after few orphan children. To look after those children, she is involved in many robberies and pickpocket. She is cunning and strong. Suntali is junior police officer and is also a duplicate of Nisha. When Suntali is raped by her senior officers, her fiancée Bhim attempts to punish them but instead he was murdered. So, Suntali takes a vow to punish them. But as she reaches Kathmandu, she was murdered. Before she died, Suntali finds Nisha and asks her for help. Knowing all the story of Suntali, Nisha promises to take revenge for her.

Watch or Not?
‘Hawaldar Suntali’ has some eye popping action and wonderful songs. Also the script is not bad. But as I mentioned earlier, this is not one of those flawless movie. So, all I can say is watch at your own risk.