www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 126 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 11 July 2012 | @& cfiff9 @)^( ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 Autographed Pullout Inside www.facebook.com/fridayweekly Morphing Cinema Nepali films are turning a corner; Nepali cinema is going through a transitional phase. In many respects, we have shed the old skin and have now donned a new one. From cliché, we are moving towards more experimental films. Deviating away from regularity, we are creating a wave motion – a wave of new Nepali cinema. — GUEST EDITOR, RAJESH HAMAL For more, turn to page 2 2 Issue 126 | 11 July 2012 Fr!day cover guest editor Morphing Cinema — Rajesh Hamal (As told to Bijaya Adhikari) t would be injustice for Nepali started becoming regular – at on the other hand, audiences cinemas to be compared with least in the making. At this felt that films was the medium films worldwide. We have phase, a sense of security and to escape reality, aspire to larger Imuch to achieve, we have so consistency was created; film than life hero figures and routine many stones to turn. If we are making, production and acting sing-and-dance was the only to compare Nepali films, then could be taken up professionally. form of visual entertainment. we should compare it with the Viewers could relate to what This formulaic repetitiveness past of Nepali cinema. When social mosaic existed and what and prolifically used thematic I entered the Nepali film scene social prosaic could not work. made the film scene stagnant. about two and a half decades Those who could not make it Around late ‘90s, Indian films ago, the entire fraternity was in this phase, vanished off from realized their morbid stagnancy like a blank board – there was the film scene as a whole, and and took a leap of fate, their film no “Nepali film scenario” to those who did well came out as scenario changed drastically – talk about. Films were made stars. we somehow were not able to sporadically and taking up films catch up with the wave. We fell as an area of expertise or as a If I was a person short. career was unthinkable. I entered who could not But now, at the fourth phase Nepali film industry not because adapt to the – there is something happening. high. New envelopes have been life, but somehow, still not the it was professionally lucrative, Audiences have evolved as the opened – new ideas have come topic of discussion at large – has but my passion to do films drove times, I would international film scene has out to play. Filmmakers try now gotten a playground and me towards it. I do believe film have probably evolved, and finally, film makers their hands on varying content abundant experiments are being doers of that era entered the film perished. But I have paralleled themselves with touching multiple subjects and conducted centralizing this topic scene for the same – the will and the line of fire that is taking up issues that matter – and people as the theme of a story. Right at the passion to do it. But anyone can visualize that international themes and subject give them a chance, give good this moment, sexual themes are working in films always has a exciting times matters. I would say people feedback. getting their love-hate forum at plan B set in mind. At this phase, are ahead. would probably not want to see Film is not entirely a form every dais that exists in the film film audience and film makers the “Hey” dialogue deliverer of art – it should always carry industry. I believe that this is also had no choice. Makers used to Whilst entering the third Rajesh Hamal anymore; they that commercial value. In today’s a phase: the topic of sex has come make one or two films per year phase, however, we took a would want to see Rajesh scene both of these pledges out because film connoisseurs – and audiences received it with wrong turn. Nepali films Hamal as a person, a real life work together like a cogwheel. makers and viewers – alike have acclaim. started becoming repetitive. inspirer, a man following what Audiences have opened their felt its need. Nepali film industry And then we shed the Makers worked on only those he must do. In this period of hearts and makers have opened needs to go through it. first layer of skin to move to angles that they felt could a year and a half or two years, their hands. Topic of sex, the Time of depression, which the second phase, when we garner a stable earning – and experimentations have run inevitable need in every human was like an overwhelming night, seems to have passed and we have seen a new dawn. I believe that future of Nepali films is really bright. I often tell my counterparts, those who have passed these decades with me, “We need to become a pickle. We need to provide that taste, that spicy feel, even when consumed years later.” I abide by this belief myself. If I was a person who could not adapt to the times, I would have probably perished. But I can visualize that exciting times are ahead. New film makers have come with equal zeal and equal enthusiasm that Nepali film scene will not die just like that. I recently caught an interview with a young director who related that he is making films because he wanted to tell a story. Makers like these, when they do bring exciting new ideas to the table – with such pumped up energy – they can do wonders. Times are exciting. ! Get a behind-the-scenes sneak peak of the cover shoot at www.fridayweekly.com.np/videos by Anil Shahi page3 make your statement one question As a child, what was your ‘dream career’? We find out from four prominent actors of our film industry about their ‘dream careers’ in their younger days, and what turns in life led them to the successful career they now have: — Mannat Shrestha To be honest, when I was a child, I did not have a dream ambition as such. It was my dad who dreamt of making me an administrative officer. I was a really good football player, so later I thought I would choose football as my profession. It was just a coincidence in 1974 when I was working for the Statesmen Calcutta as a model and photojournalist, that I met the iconic Dev Anand. He told me that he would like to have me in his movie. That’s when I got my break and “Ek duje ke liye” started off my career as an actor. Sunil Thapa I have been a performer since I was a toddler! In my lower kindergarten days I would be thrilled to perform or do any sort of acting on stage. When I was in the first grade, I remember, I said I want to become an actor someday. As I grew up, I got into theater and one day I got the leading role in “Kagbeni”. So, in retrospect, I followed my dream through and circumstances have been favorable, both of which turned my dream into a pleasant reality. Saugat Malla I stepped into the film industry when I was 14 years old. At the time I was too young to make a decision for myself. Also when you are that young, you tend to change your plans from time to time. So I’d imagine myself as a doctor sometime, then again as a poet, or the next time as a pilot. I did not have any fixed intentions. However, subconsciously I think I have always been an actress because when I started to work in the movies, acting was never work. I always felt like I was born for this. Karishma Manandhar Since I was a child, I felt like I understood children well, and it wasn’t any different when I grew up. So, I always wanted to be a child psychologist. I felt like I could connect with children. But when I was studying in Gyanodaya School, my teachers saw a talent for the performing arts in me and pushed me to act in plays and sing. Later, I started doing music videos and one day Alok Nembang called me for the audition of “Sano Sansar”. At the time, I was pretty reluctant to step into the film industry. However, after a lot of thought, I decided to give it a shot. So, I went for the auditions, later he called me and told me that I was chosen. I basically went with the flow and now I love what I’m doing. I feel like I was born for this and there is no looking back. However, I still haven’t given up on my childhood dream. Even if I do not become a certified child psychologist, I still want to do something for the betterment of children. Namrata Shrestha right into it with Rajesh Hamal Rajesh Hamal: In the old times, proceeding with poignant words there weren’t many movies. about the state of the industry: Nepali movie on its own was feaissues that matter ture novel and an attraction. It took Rajesh Hamal: I would like to a while to get over the ‘movie welcome us all to this interaction equals Indian fims’ mould. program and would like to start Terms of Entertainment and say that this is the age of Shishir Rana: Twenty years change in society and technology. ago we wanted to do something Nine members of the film fraternity representing different facets of film making In our fraternity we have a new.