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Singer and composer Arjun Sapkota has been named the most popular Nepali music artist of the past month, according to the December ranking released by music data platform “Viberate.”

Sapkota topped the list with a score of 492.4K. The platform publishes the popularity ranking on a monthly basis. His song Jhaliko, composed by Sapkota, has gained wide attention on social media. The song has received more than 19.5m views on YouTube, while thousands of users have also created videos using the track on TikTok.

The folk-style song features vocals by Melina Rai and Samikshya Adhikari alongside Sapkota, with lyrics written by Santosh Sapkota.

Maithili and Bhojpuri singer Sannu Kumar from Rajbiraj ranked second on the list with 444.7K points. Kumar enjoys significant popularity in Nepal’s Tarai and Madhesh regions.

Singer Sushant KC ranked third, followed by Tanka Budathoki in fourth place and Balen in fifth. The remaining artists in the top 10 are Sajjan Raj Vaidya, Trishna Gurung, Vten, Prakash Dutraj, and Melina Rai.

Viberate compiles its rankings using real-time data collected from major streaming platforms, social media, and radio, aimed at tracking artist popularity for musicians, managers, and record labels.

Celebrating a decade in the photography scene, PhotoKTM’s sixth edition continues to shape visual culture at home and abroad. This year, PhotoKTM brought together hundreds of photographers and visual artists from across the world, drawing in massive crowds to its exhibitions, talks, workshops, and community conversations. Over the years, the festival has covered subjects like who we are, how we live, and the power dynamics between people, using photography to show different stories and communities and how they shape the world around us.

The 2025 edition, themed “Global South Solidarities” tapped into the energy of the GenZ movement, sparking conversations about resistance, solidarity, and how communities across the Global South are shaping their own futures. The festival featured over 40 artists around the world, including Nepali photographers , along with eight emerging Nepali talents from the 2025 photo.circle offering a fresh and varied look at contemporary photography. The works on display told bold visual stories, reflecting shared histories, identities and cultural connections.

Guided by a clear curatorial direction,the exhibition included everything from documented photography to more experimental pieces, using archives to personal narratives. Some projects focused on everyday life and community stories while others looked at memory, a sense of belonging, and social change, showing how photography is being used in a more thoughtful and meaningful way.

By bringing local and international artists together the festival has opened doors for emerging photographers, encouraged fresh conversations about storytelling and strengthened the country’s creative community. These events give artists a platform to grow, collaborate and play a part in developing Nepal’s visual culture. It’s a space where photographers can experiment, learn from peers and find their voice. The diversity of work pushes local artists to challenge themselves and explore fresh approaches to storytelling.

For artists and the creative community, PhotoKTM shows that photography is more than just pictures, it’s a way to connect, share stories and bring people together, looking beyond individual works, the festival shows how photography in Nepal is evolving as a whole, opening doors and new ways of seeing the world.

And for readers and audiences the festival offered a chance to see stories, histories and cultures across the Global South that they might not have encountered otherwise. The images encouraged reflection, sparked conversations and offered insights into shared struggles, solidarity and ways communities connect and support each other. PhotoKTM’s impact went beyond the exhibitions, helping audiences see how photography can tell powerful stories and connect people from different places and experiences. 

Kumari, the new Nepali romantic film directed by Dinesh Raut, has released its first official song, “Kata Chhau Mero Phool.” Along with the song launch, the production team announced that the film will be released nationwide on 6 Feb 2026. The release date, close to Valentine’s Day, suggests the film is targeting young audiences.

The song was first performed live during a grand announcement event held at Tundikhel, which generated significant attention on social media. Sung by Kehar Singh Limbu and his band Kehar & The Lunga, the track has been gaining popularity on YouTube and TikTok, particularly among GenZ listeners.

The film features Abhishek Khadka and Aakriti Rajbhandari in lead roles, both making their debut as main actors. The cast also includes Ghanshyam Joshi, Sunita Shrestha, Aakanksha Karki, Madhu Khadka, Sanam Shrestha, Saku Shah, Saroj Lamichhane, and Manisha Sharma, among others.

Director Raut, known for romantic films such as I Am Sorry, November Rain, and Classic, has recently focused on social-issue-based projects. 

Nepali narrative film Lokanti, produced under the banner of Krishan Films, is set to hit cinema halls across the country simultaneously from Friday, Dec 12. Along with the announcement of its release date, the makers have also unveiled the film’s first-look poster. Directed by Ranjit Rana, Lokanti is presented as a complete family drama, placing themes of family, love, struggle, peace, and subtle social conflicts at its core.

Actor Yasraj Garach plays the lead role in the film, which has been shot in the natural and authentic locations of Kavre district. The movie aims to highlight the social sensitivities embedded within a family love story.

Produced by Santosh Neupane, the film features actress and model Richa Thapa opposite Garach. Other key cast members include Bimala Limbu, Kumar Neupane, Bikash Adhikari, Daman Rupakheti, and Govinda Prabhat. The film also marks the acting debut of Kumar Neupane and Bikash Adhikari, both of whom have expressed excitement about their first venture.

The music is composed by Bikash Chaudhary, while Ronish Tamang has handled the cinematography. Rooted in Nepali culture, Lokanti promises audiences a fresh blend of emotion and social storytelling.