Rekha Thapa about Himmat 2

Rekha Thapa is not a new name in Nepali cinema industry. Moreover, cinema production has taken her to new heights. Her film Himmat proved to be a success. Then Deepak Shrestha leap-frogged over the success of her original film by making Himmat-2 without Thapa’s knowledge, starting the flames of fury between the two.

Miss Rekha, You have acted in six dozen films. How satisfied do you feel?-The cinema has been my dream since I was a child. I am satisfied to have put down my roots in my dream work. But sometimes I assess myself and think there is so much more to learn.

More than your acting, your success is often credited to your glamorous role, what do you say?-I have worked from bungee jumping and martial arts to sentimental roles; I have performed the same in all. However, my glamorous role took more of the limelight. I don’t know why though.

In your opinion, is cinema creation or a business?
-In my context, acting is my profession and this needs to be developed into a business.

Nepali cinema has not been able to win the hearts of many viewers. How is the latest development in the industry?-There has been a flurry of Nepali cinemas. However, only a few of them possess quality. The quantity increased but not the quality.

Who is responsible then?- We actors and the film makers are responsible. No films have been made targeting Nepali viewers.

You made a film under your own investment. Were you not making enough as an actor?Thapa: Working for others makes you bend to their imagination. After all, actors have to do what the producers and directors say. And then to portray my own imagination, I had to invest in a film.

You made Himmat. Now Himmat-2 is being made without your involvement.
-The production of Himmat-2 began after Himmat became a success. I was not contacted at all while making a cinema with my film’s name.

You didn’t react when someone made your film's part 2. Why is that so?
-This has been a thing of pride for me. If a successful and famous director (Deepak Shrestha) follows my idea, I don’t have to say anything.

Some say you are not on speaking terms with many other actors as well?
-From my side, I think I talk well with everyone. On their part, why they protest against me, I don’t know.

Do you think you will be able to sustain like this forever? What are your future plans?-My thoughts are to remain in the cinema industry, to take forward my acting and producing.

History of CINEMA in Nepal

The History of Cinema in Nepal dates back to 2008 (Bikram Era) when the first ever made Nepali Feature Film titled "Satya Harishchandra" was produced from Kolkata, India.

"Aama" (mother) was of course the first Nepali Film produced in Nepal in 2021 B.E. It was produced by the Information Department of Government of Nepal. Shiva Shankar Manandhar (renowned radio singer and music composer) and Bhuvan Thapa (Theatre Artist) made their debut as the lead players in the movie. The film had Hira Singh Khatri as its director and V. Balsara was the music composer.

The end of 2023 B.E. saw another Nepali Film "Maitighar"(Maternal home) produced for the first time under the private banner - Sumonanjali Films Pvt. Ltd. This was a first full pledged feature film in Nepal; Famous Indian Film Artist Mala Singh played a pivotal role in the film. C.P Lohani was her co- star who became latter her life partner in real life. B.S.Thapa directed the film. The veteran music maestro Jaidev scored music for the film, Lata Mangeshkar, Nightingale of India, sang for the first time a Nepali song, which was penned by none other than the late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (M.B.B.S). Other veteran Indian Singer who did lend their voices in the film were Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. Nepali singers like Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Narayan Gopal, C.P. Lohani and Aruna Lama also sang for the film. The film had friendly appearances of veteran Sunil Dutta and comedian Rajendra Nath.

The Information Department of Government of Nepal continued film making for sometime and they were, "Hijo Aaj Bholi" in 2024 B.E. and Parivartan in 2028 B.E. Government of Nepal established the Royal Nepal FIlm Corporation in 2028 B.E. "Man Ko Bandh" was the first film produced by the Corporation Prakesh Thapa was the director of the film Nati Kaji and Shiva Shanker were the music directors. Amber Gurung scored background music. Salyan K.C and Sushma Shahi were the lead players. The film was premiered in 2030 B.E. in kathmandu. "Man Ko Bandh was followed by "Kumari" in 2034, "Sindoor" in 2037 and "Jeevan Rekha" in series. The success of these films opened up avenue for the private parties to enter into filmmaking as industrial endeavor.

Nepali movies: My experience

By Dikshya Karki

I walked into the cinema hall with no expectations and a whim to be taken by surprise. The movie unfolded with a request for the audience not to chew chewing gums. It was greeted by sounds of gums exploding in mouths from all corners. The lights went out and the movie started. The opening scene proved that my half a decade absence as an enthusiast Nepali movie viewer was not going to receive any warm welcome. Every one in the audience should have predicted that the lady sitting cross-legged in front of a few photos of Gods would get up and call out for her son's father. The next scene was rather unpredictable: an adolescent brother pouring tea into glasses for his parents and family. No offence for the effort but the cold tea which evidently cooked a while ago by the spot boy being poured into steel glasses was just unnecessary. Furthermore his entry to his dear sister's room and his out of the world reaction just took my breath away. It made me think what was happening to the world? Do our filmmakers need to force their stories into the audience so ruthlessly? Are they so helpless and lacking any form of imagination? Does the Nepali film industry need to steal ideas from Bollywood to make a 'Nepali' movie?
I put all my questions on the back of my head and told myself: Maybe I was misjudging our director's capabilities. So I challenged myself to watch another movie which had celebrated fifty-one days in the box office. I was utterly disheartened by the experience. 'Dadagiri' confirmed my convictions. I can't comprehend how the action director ever finalized a scene where hands and legs are flying everywhere. The dialogues were most often embarrassing and though the script writer had been working in the industry for some decades he showed none of his creativity. Can it be called compromise or neglect? Everybody works to make a living but in showbiz you need to prove that you are worth the job. A good script can turn a low budget movie to a box office bomb.

There is no lack of inspiration for filmmakers in Nepal. There are hundreds of stories waiting to be told in every corner of our hinterlands. The problem is we don't have a good storyteller and movies without fine stories are houses without walls. Even if the pillars of the houses are comedy, tragedy, humor and romance and they stand tall. It can neither provide shelter nor lure anyone to enter its premise. Most Nepali movies are a packaged product. They have everything to make them commercially viable-a thunder struck night, a rape scene, lovers dancing around trees, a villain with a long overcoat and an actor who can beat twenty swindlers solely with the power of his muscles. Yet the movie leaves you with a headache. You feel deceived when you walk out of the cinema hall. Generalizations are always harmful for anyone who has an opinion but sometimes facts generalize themselves. If you stroll around the city and observe posters of Nepali films pasted on nearly every pole they will define themselves. You cut out the action sequences in any movie; it will have nothing to offer.

Obviously men with muscles are in high demand in the industry be it Nikhil Upreti who jumps from complexes or Bhiraj Bhatt who can battle a trained bear. Rajesh Hamal the king of all however will fit every role; police inspector, big brother, lover or a Don. He is called a superstar the 'one' who has more than a hundred movies to his credit and maybe one movie that he can be proud of. Rekha Thapa a.k.a 'love guru' is another sought after actress. She's the perfect 'Nepali item girl' whose moves seldom grant you an opportunity to admire her. Sometimes skimpy clothes just don't do the magic. Directors, script writers and actors all need to share a chemistry that can win the admiration of the audience. The lack of chemistry always results in a movie that goes nowhere and leaves the viewer with emptiness.

There is a dire need for someone to break the spell of recurring premise in Nepali movies. New, forthcoming directors with their passion are showing that they have the magical wand. Bhusan Dahal has already completed filming 'Kagbeni'. Alok Nembang and actor Rajesh Hamal plan to take on the director's seat very soon. Nabin Subba, director of the internationally acclaimed 'Numafung' is soon to start filming 'Goodbye Kathmandu'. Theatre actor-director Anup Baral is working as cast director for the movie. These promising moves in Nepali filmmaking are in the process of creating history. They could falter in their mission or change the fate of Nepali cinema forever.

Das Dhunga

Will Das Dhunga Reveal Truth?
Prabalta Rijal

Great leaders don’t only belong to a particular party, they belong to the nation, to the people. Nepal lost two such leaders fifteen years ago in a mysterious road accident at Das Dhunga. The incident know as Das Dhunga left the entire nation flabbergasted but the death of Madan Bhandari and Jeevaraj Aashrit raised a lot of questions.



In an effort to find answers to these questions and lift the curtain from a suspense that had been looming in our minds for fifteen years, two young filmmakers have almost completed a film ‘Das Dhunga’, a semi-fictional film on the mysterious incident.



The lead character has been fictionalised to protect the identity of a journalist who was forced to leave the nation because of his search for the truth. Apart from this all the facts revealed in the film are true according to its director/writer Manoj Pandit, 29, and producer Apil Bista, 27.



"I grew up wondering who killed Madan Bhandari, we debated about it and none of us have actually been able to accept that it was an accident. I just wanted to get to the bottom of it and in a way we have been able to unveil the mystery behind the so-called accident in the film," said Pandit.



The two hour long film presented by Apil Bista Films Production is based on an investigation by a government investigative officer, played by Anup Baral--a renowned theatre actor/director.



The film begins with the car crash at Das Dhunga, which took the lives of the two leaders and revolves around the investigation, interrogation of Amar Lama, Bhandari’s driver who had been suspected and accused of carrying out the tragic master-plan.



"Though the film has focused on the death of political leaders, it’s not a political film—we have just tried to unravel the truth behind the mystery. For this we have tried in a very unique manner, we will not compromise on creativity and we will reveal our findings at any cost," he said adding that they had already started receiving threats for making the film. "We have had people calling to tell us that there is no threat to our lives from inside Nepal, but there are outside forces who can easily harm us," said Bista.



While talking to The Rising Nepal on how they researched for the film, Pandit explained that they met the relatives of the deceased. They also came across an investigative journalist who gave them information he had on the mystery which helped them take their research a step ahead. They also claimed that they received no support from the people they expected it the most from, and found a lot of facts and files related to the case going missing from government offices and other sources.
"There were loopholes and it became very difficult to actually connect them because most of the people we approached weren’t too keen on helping us that surprising yet very disappointing," they said.
They also informed that they received anonymous calls telling them that the film would in no way pass the censors. " Apart from all this, I did not even write the dialogues in the script for fear of their leakage," said Pandit.
"The dialogues like ‘Go and ask Madhav and Oli about who killed Bhandari’ and ‘ Do you work for the CIA’?, have been leaked," they said.



After the documentary ‘Greater Nepal’, which has been banned in Nepal, Pandit seems to have done it again, another controversial topic and another quest for truth. ‘Das Dhunga’ too looks very promising and is currently in its first phase of editing.



Bista who is very enthusiastic about the film informed that a few faces of the culprits will be revealed if those scenes are not censored. "We don’t know what the film will look like after it is censored, but if it comes out uncensored, it will surely cause an uproar," they added.



A fan of the Hollywood Oscar winning actor and director Clint Eastwood, Pandit has been inspired by the filmmaker’s style of cinematography and has tried to use this style in ‘Das Dhunga’. The film seems to have shaped up in a Hollywood style and the makers claim that no other Nepali film has been made in this way.



"Doing the film was very interesting but honestly speaking we have very few actors who can become a ‘director’s actor’, its not difficult to become an actor, but to become a ‘director’s actor’ needs a lot of professionalism which most of our actors lack," Pandit told.



Apart from Anup Baral who’s playing the lead, Dhayang Rai will be playing Amar Lama, Mandan Bhandari will be played by his own brother, Ram Krishna Poudel will play Jivraj Ashrit and Sanchita Luitel will play Baral’s wife in the film. The film’s cinematography which according to it’s producer is exceptionally good has been done by Purshottam Pradhan, The film to be released on the end of May is being edited by Nimesh Shrestha and the music for the film has been composed by Kicha.



Will ‘Das Dhunga’ reveal the killers? Well, we will just have to wait for the release of the film this year, because the makers refused to unveil the suspense.