Hi, I’m Rishav, a writer-director based in Kathmandu. I'm here representing fade out pictures, a group of independent creatives. fade out pictures is partially producing the play and trying to raise funds through crowdfunding to bring an original Nepali theatre production, Jolene, to life. Any small help will take us a step closer to realizing our play.

About Jolene:

Set in Kathmandu, this play is a dark, lyrical exploration of love, possession, and the fragile boundary between devotion and erasure. At its center is Mira, an insecure housewife whose entire sense of self is built around her husband, Madhav. What she experiences as complete, unquestionable love slowly reveals itself to be something

far more precarious. Madhav, a self-made businessman, moves between comfort and restlessness, drawn not only to the stability Mira provides but also to the unsettling pull of something beyond it, embodied in Jolene, a graceful musician Madhav has been having an affair with. When Mira discovers her existence, it almost inevitably leads to murder. “Love Police”, a branch of Nepal Police who only deal only in crime of passion and sing and dance their lines, take over the case. They try to philosophize, empathize, ridicule and ultimately solve the crime and find the murderer. Trapped inside a crazed delirium, Mira is willing to go to impossible lengths to get Madhav back but things fall apart until she and Madhav both are torn inside out, and Jolene becomes a permanent presence in both their lives.

Blending psychological thriller with musical theater, the play expands from an intimate domestic space into a wider meditation on love. It examines how love can become all-consuming, how identity dissolves within it, and how delusion can reshape reality. At its core, the play questions the myth of perfect love: when one person becomes the entire world for another, what is sustained, and what is quietly lost."

About fade out pictures:

"fade out pictures is a collective of writers, technicians, and

filmmakers working independently across a range of forms and

genres. Brought together by a shared interest in storytelling and the

love of craft, the collective develops projects that move across

forms, genres and mediums. Their work is shaped by a hands-on,

collaborative approach, with members often taking on multiple

roles across different productions. Over time, their films have been

presented at festivals around the world, building a body of films

that reflects their varied interests and approaches."

Why fund Jolene:

1. Support bold, original Nepali storytelling Jolene is a rare blend of psychological thriller and musical theatre. An emotionally layered,

locally rooted story that pushes the boundaries of contemporary theatre in Kathmandu.

2. Be part of a meaningful artistic movement. Your support directly empowers a collective of 30+ passionate artists bringing a story that explore identity, love, and human complexity to life, work thats parks conversation and cultural growth.

3.Help bring an ambitious production to the stage. From dynamic set design to music, costumes, and immersive staging, your contribution

enables the craft and scale needed to transform this vision into a powerful live experience.

I thank you on behalf of fade out pictures!