, its cover story, complete with graphic descriptions as well as photos of the pair. Namrata reportedly says it’s her personal matter. When the Naya Patrika daily, that carried a report on the nearly 11-minute long sex video, asked her to comment on it, the rising star reportedly said: “Yes, I recorded it for my personal viewing. If you have a copy, I’d suggest you enjoy it without bothering me.” The sex video and Nepali society’s reaction to it shows the changing face of the new republic that has witnessed amazing socio-political transformations in the last four years. Parallels are being drawn between it and the Shrisha Karki scandal that erupted in 2002, creating a furore, intense social condemnation and even police action. In 2002, Shrisha, another aspiring starlet, committed suicide after a weekly published a report exposing the casting couch syndrome in Nepal’s film industry which exploited Shrisha and other vulnerable newcomers like her. Next page