{{short description|2020 Nepali comedy-drama film by Ram Babu Gurung}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = Senti Virus | image = File:Senti Virus.jpg | alt = Theatrical release poster | caption =Theatrical release poster | native_name ={{Infobox name module|Nepali|सेन्टी भाइरस}} | director = Ram Babu Gurung | producer = Dindu Lama Hyolmo | writer = Dipak Acharya <br /> Kumar Kattel | starring = Sitaram Kattel<br /> Kunjana Ghimire<br /> Dayahang Rai <br /> Wilson Bikram Rai <br /> Buddhi Tamang <br /> Rajaram Poudel | cinematography = Shailendra D Karki | studio = Subihani Films | released = {{Film date|df=y|2020|2|21|Nepal|ref1=}} | runtime = 135 minutes | country = Nepal | language = Nepali | budget = रु 2.8 Crore Nepalese rupees (NPR) | gross = रु 4.2 Crore }}

'''''Senti Virus''''' is a 2020 comedy-drama film directed by Ram Babu Gurung and written by Kumar Kattel and Dipak Acharya. The film is produced by Dindu Lama Hyolmo under the banner of Subihani Films. The film stars Sitaram Kattel and Kunjana Ghimire in the lead roles, with Dayahang Rai, Wilson Bikram Rai, Buddhi Tamang, and Rajaram Poudel.

The plot concerns an election in the Kavrepalanchok District which causes a marital dispute between Dhrubaram (Sitaram Kattel) and Juneli (Kunjana Ghimire) because their elderly father has declared his candidacy. The film received mixed reviews from critics. ''Senti Virus'' was pulled from cinema halls due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal after three weeks of screening. Created on a budget of 28.4&nbsp;million Nepalese rupees (NPR) ({{US$|234000|2020|round=-2}}), it grossed 40.8&nbsp;million NPR. A 15 percent share of the film's profit was donated to construct the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium.

== Plot == A village in Kavrepalanchok District is approaching an election. Surya Bikram (Basanta Bhatta), a rich and powerful man, has declared his candidacy in the election and Dhrubaram (Sitaram Kattel) supports him. Meanwhile, Dhrubaram's wife Juneli's father (Rajaram Poudel) declares his candidacy. Juneli (Kunjana Ghimire) wants her father to win, but Dhrubaram is the president of Bikram's political party and is obliged to support his party candidate. The support of the opposing candidates leads to a marital dispute between the couple.

== Cast == {{div col}} * Sitaram Kattel as Dhrubaram * Kunjana Ghimire as Juneli * Dayahang Rai as Leader * Wilson Bikram Rai as a local youth * Buddhi Tamang as Dhrubaram's neighbor * Rajaram Poudel as Juneli's father * Sandip Chhetri as Land mafia * Basanta Bhatta as Surya Bikram {{div col end}}

== Production == The original title, ''Anti Virus'', was changed on the advice of an astrologer to ''Senti Virus''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस–सुन्तलीद्वारा फिल्म 'सेन्टी भाइरस' निर्माणको औपचारिक घोषणा|url=https://nepaltimes.net/49255-2/|date=8 August 2019|website=NepalTimes|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520164057/https://nepaltimes.net/49255-2/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस-सुन्तलीले फिल्म 'सेन्टी भाइरस' बनाउने|url=https://www.himalayapost.com/archives/95428|date=7 August 2019|website=Himalaya Post|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520163238/https://www.himalayapost.com/archives/95428|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस–सुन्तलीले चलचित्र बनाउने, फिल्मको नाम 'सेन्टी भाइरस'|url=https://everestdainik.com/2019/08/268485/|date=8 August 2019|website=Everest Dainik|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520165230/https://everestdainik.com/2019/08/268485/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> The film was officially announced on 7 August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title='धुर्मुस सुन्तली'को फिल्म'सेन्टी भाइरस' को घोषणा !|url=https://harekkhabar.com/2019/08/1595|date=8 August 2019|website=HarekKhabar.com|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520164313/https://harekkhabar.com/2019/08/1595|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The cinematography was done by Shailendra D Karki.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dhurmus Suntali's 'Senti Virus' set to release|url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/77531/|website=My City|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> Principal photography began in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस-सुन्तली फिल्ममा दयाहाङ हिरो, रामबाबुले निर्देशन गर्ने|author=Soniya|url=http://np.moviemandu.com/?p=5806|website=Moviemanu|url-status=usurped|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520164515/http://np.moviemandu.com/?p=5806|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> ''Senti Virus'' was filmed at various locations, including Rupakot and Pokhara.<ref name=":0" /> Filming concluded in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस -सुन्तलीको 'सेन्टी भाइरस'को छायांकन सकियो|url=https://nepaltimes.net/%e0%a4%a7%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%b0%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%ae%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%b8-%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%b2%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%8b-%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%8d/|date=19 October 2019|website=NepalTimes|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520165017/https://nepaltimes.net/%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=एक महिनामा सकियो धुर्मुस सुन्तलीको 'सेन्टी भाइरस' छायांकन|url=https://www.khabarhub.com/2019/18/88321/|website=Khabarhub|date=18 October 2019 |access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520165205/https://www.khabarhub.com/2019/18/88321/|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Soundtrack == The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar Thapa<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस' गीतः धुर्मुससँग सुन्तली, दयासँग अन्जलीको 'फनफनी'|url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/12/821698|website=Online Khabar|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520160946/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/12/821698|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and Sushant Gautam,<ref>{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस' को दोस्रो गीत 'आफ्नो पार्टी जिताइदे' |url=https://nepalipatrika.com/2020/02/17/48235/|date=17 February 2020|website=nepalipatrika.com|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520162636/https://nepalipatrika.com/2020/02/17/48235/|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> with lyrics by DP Khanal<ref>{{Cite web|title=धुर्मुस–सुन्तलीको 'सेन्टी भाइरस': पहिलो गीत 'फनफनी' सार्वजनिक(भिडियोसहित)|url=https://narayanionline.com/2019/12/19/45904/|date=19 December 2019|website=Narayanionline|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520162124/https://narayanionline.com/2019/12/19/45904/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> and Harka Saud.<ref>{{Cite web|title=सेन्टी भाइरसको नयाँ गीत 'आफ्नो पार्टी जिताइदे'|url=https://saptahik.com.np/archives/2020/02/17/20200217104117|website=saptahik.com.np|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520162820/https://saptahik.com.np/archives/2020/02/17/20200217104117|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The vocals were performed by Melina Rai,<ref name=":4" /> Kali Prasad Baskota,<ref name=":4" /> Pramod Kharel, Bidhya Manju Tiwari, and Sushant Gautam.<ref name="itmp3" /> The soundtrack was released on 21 February 2020 for digital download.<ref name="itmp3"/> {{Track listing | headline = Original Motion Picture Soundtrack<ref name="itmp3">{{Cite web|title=Senti Virus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/senti-virus-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-single/id1500582356|website=Apple Music|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520113248/https://music.apple.com/au/album/senti-virus-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-single/id1500582356|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस'को 'ए नि लै'(भिडियोसहित)|url=https://nepalipatrika.com/2020/02/19/48580/|date=19 February 2020|website=nepalipatrika.com|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520135446/https://nepalipatrika.com/2020/02/19/48580/|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 11:08 | title1 = Fun Funy | lyrics1 = DP Khanal | music1 = Shankar Thapa | extra1 = Melina Rai, Kali Prasad Baskota | length1 = 3:29 | title2 = Aafno Party Jitaide | lyrics2 = Harka Saud | music2 = Sushant Gautam | extra2 = Pramod Kharel, Bidhya Manju Tiwari | length2 = 4:24 | title3 = A Ni Lai | lyrics3 = Harka Saud | music3 = Sushant Gautam | extra3 = Sushant Gautam | length3 = 3:55 }}

== Release == The first-look poster for the film was released on 5 November 2019 featuring Sitaram Kattel and the release date.<ref>{{Cite news|title='सेन्टी भाइरस' लुकमा यस्तो देखिए धुर्मुस, फागुन ९ मा रिलिज हुने|author=सेतोपाटी कला|work=Setopati|url=https://www.setopati.com/art/art-activity/192693|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520120132/https://www.setopati.com/art/art-activity/192693|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> On 28 January 2020, the theatrical trailer was released.<ref>{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस'मा परिवार भित्रको राजनीतिको कथा|url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/01/832202|website=Online Khabar|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520144703/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/01/832202|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The song "Fun Funy" was released before the release of the trailer.<ref>{{Cite web|title='धुर्मुस' र 'सुन्तली' को फिल्म 'सेन्टी भाइरस' को ट्रेलर सार्वजनिक|url=https://samachardainik.com/news-details/38763/2020-01-29|website=Samachar Dainik|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520145215/https://samachardainik.com/news-details/38763/2020-01-29|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

Before releasing the film, the producers announced that 15 percent of the profit from ''Senti Virus'' would be donated to the construction of Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium. The project to build the first ICC standard stadium in the country was started by the Dhurmus Suntali Foundation.<ref name=":0" /> Screenings of the film were planned in Europe, America, and South Korea after its release in Nepal.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Senti Virus, other films fall prey to virus|author=Renuka Dhakal|url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/detour/senti-virus-other-films-fall-prey-to-virus|website=The Rising Nepal|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519135921/https://risingnepaldaily.com/detour/senti-virus-other-films-fall-prey-to-virus|archive-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> ''Senti Virus'' was released on 21 February 2020 in Nepal, on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=बक्स अफिस : 'सेन्टी भाइरस'को सुखद् ओपनिङ|url=https://www.news24nepal.tv/2020/02/22/627427|website=News24|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520151503/https://www.news24nepal.tv/2020/02/22/627427|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> The film was released alongside four films, including ''Aama'', ''The Call of the Wild'', ''Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan'', and ''Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Five Movies Are All Set To Release On Friday, Understand The Preview And Premise|url=http://www.moviemandu.com/five-movies-are-all-set-to-release-on-friday-understand-the-preview-and-premise/|website=Moviemanu|url-status=usurped|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520152324/http://www.moviemandu.com/five-movies-are-all-set-to-release-on-friday-understand-the-preview-and-premise/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> The international distribution rights of the film were sold to NepCine for 11.5&nbsp;million NPR.<ref>{{Cite web|title=१ करोड १५ लाखमा बिक्यो 'सेन्टी भाइरस'को अन्तराष्ट्रिय वितरण|url=https://www.setopati.com/art/art-activity/198985/|website=Setopati|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520160045/https://www.setopati.com/art/art-activity/198985|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

''Senti Virus'' was pulled from cinema halls after three weeks of screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.<ref name=":1" /> ''The Rising Nepal'' described the film as "probably the biggest victim of COVID-19".<ref name=":1" /> Sitaram Kattel said that the COVID-19 pandemic had shattered his plans, saying, "I am now in tension; my plans have been ruined [...] When my film failed to survive even three weeks in local theatres, and all doors to release it abroad have been shut down, I have come to Chitwan to cope with the tension".<ref name=":1" />

==Box office== The budget of the film was 28.4&nbsp;million NPR ({{US$|234000|2020|round=-2}}).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस'को कमाई ४ करोड ग्रस|url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/03/840740|website=Online Khabar|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520150218/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/03/840740|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Senti Virus'' grossed 11.2&nbsp;million NPR ({{US$|92500|2020|round=-2}}) on its opening day.<ref name=":2" /> As of June 2020, it had made total earnings of 40.8&nbsp;million NPR ({{US$|337000|2020|round=-2}}).<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=कति कमायो धुर्मुस–सुन्तलीको चलचित्र 'सेन्टी भाइरस'ले ?|url=https://everestdainik.com/2020/03/311483/|date=2 March 2020|website=Everest Dainik|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520151229/https://everestdainik.com/2020/03/311483/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

==Reception== Rupak Risal of Moviemandu said that the film left many questions unanswered, writing, "When you come out of the theatre, it feels like a huge chunk of [the] movie is left somewhere in the editing room as the botched up conclusion is so abrupt".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senti-Virus Movie Review|url=http://www.moviemandu.com/senti-virus-movie-review/|website=Moviemandu|url-status=usurped|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520111131/http://www.moviemandu.com/senti-virus-movie-review/|archive-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> Reena Moktan of ''Kantipur'' wrote that the climax of the film is very weak.<ref>{{Cite web|title=कस्तो छ धुर्मुस-सुन्तलीको 'सेन्टी भाइरस' ?|author=रीना मोक्तान|url=https://ekantipur.com/entertainment/2020/02/21/158229530945169182.html|website=ekantipur.com|language=ne|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520120140/https://ekantipur.com/entertainment/2020/02/21/158229530945169182.html|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Anil Yadav of ''Saptahik'' assumed that the director Ram Babu Gurung made the film only to earn money.<ref>{{Cite web|title=सेन्टी भाइरस : धुर्मुस–सुन्तलीको कमजोर फिल्म|author=अनिल यादव |url=https://saptahik.com.np/cinema/2020/02/21/20200221171142|website=saptahik.com.np|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520120803/https://saptahik.com.np/cinema/2020/02/21/20200221171142|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The staff of Onlinekhabar praised the acting of the lead actors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=फिल्म समीक्षा : सेन्टी भाइरस|url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/02/838689|website=Online Khabar|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520130031/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/02/838689|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Shukrabar'' asserted that ''Senti Virus'' is the weakest film of Ram Babu Gurung's career.<ref>{{Cite web|title='सेन्टी भाइरस'को सेन्टी कुरा|url=https://shukrabar.nagariknetwork.com/news/6283|website=Shukrabar|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520155410/https://shukrabar.nagariknetwork.com/news/6283|archive-date=20 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title|id=tt12321124}}

Category:2020 films Category:2020 comedy-drama films Category:2020s Nepali-language films Category:Films about elections Category:Films about marriage Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic Category:Nepalese comedy-drama films Category:Films shot in Pokhara