KC was a mischievous child who has lost count of how many flower vases he broke, how many flower pots he destroyed and how many times many complained against him of being too naughty to handle. All he remembers today is he loved dancing and whenever he heard anyone playing madal, he went there to move his toes. He still feels scared to remember those slaps on his cheeks that his father gave for he never liked to do what his father wanted him to do.
“Were he still alive today, he would feel sorry for me and hate the job I do. But he would also feel proud to know that his son has traveled to over 35 countries and he would have tears in his eyes to see how many thousands of Nepalis are in love with his son,” KC beamed emotionally.
The household comedy actor of Nepal is 53 years old today, and he still performs with much younger artistes in this line. Swimming, yoga and daily exercises are the mantras behind his physical fitness.
His first experience with stage and acting was in 1970 when he danced for one program at Jawlakhel.
“Man, I got Rs 100 for that small role. During that time, one could get two meals for Rs 5, and having one hundred rupees in my pocket was a matter of pride to me,” he chuckled.
Ask him who inspired him to get into acting, and the answer will come pat, “It’s the window of my home.” Indeed, this answer leaves many flummoxed but KC actually regards his window of his home as his sole inspiration. Because his father was totally against what he was doing, he used to lock the door from inside and jump off the window to meet his shooting schedules. That is why he calls his window a great help in fulfilling his desires.
If not his window, KC prefers to regard Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya (MaHa) as his next inspiration. KC and Hari Bansha started their career together in 1975 as artistes in Nepal Rastriya Naach Ghar. According to him, that was the time when he used to be featured in prime roles while Hari Bansha used to play the side parts.
After making many laugh to his expressions and dialogues in one of the most well acclaimed teleserials, “15 Gatay”, and also in “Lal Purja” – both produced by the MaHa duo – Kiran KC became a comedian to look up to for many. In fact, there was even news that one Newar resident of Patan died laughing when he was watching “15 Gatay.”
Thankful to his better half Sita KC, Kiran unveiled, “Had she not supported me throughout, I wouldn’t have come thus far. There were so many incidents when she caught me giving lifts to heroines, going out for dates and taking them to lunches and movies. She could’ve raised many questions. But the faith and trust she had in me didn’t bring any bitter experiences in our married life.”
Having played in more than 200 teleserials and having given his share in almost eight dozen Nepali movies, KC has already performed live onstage in 65 districts of Nepal and 18 shows abroad.
Despite the fact that he did not intend to become a comedy actor, he says it was because the audiences wanted to see him as a comedian that led him to become one.
“I was surprised to see many laughing like anything, even when I was delivering the most serious dialogues. I understood that people wanted me to look funny and make them laugh. I took that very positively and so far I’m doing superbly,” he elaborated.
At a time when many character artistes feel that this profession does not guarantee them anything – neither financially nor otherwise – Kiran KC differs to the idea and said bluntly that nobody is dragged by their collars to get into acting.
“Come on, buddy, we all come here by choice. If you’re unhappy with what you’re doing, just quit the job and look for what’s good for you. You don’t sound intelligent talking nuts about the profession you are in,” he made it straight. “Yes, many have lost their so called stardom. Take for example, Santosh Pant. One needs to know what stardom is. You call yourself a star and go to local bars to have booze. That’s not what stardom is. As for Santosh Panta, he was too fond of himself. He had to be everywhere – in the ads of dry snacks to cements, sugar, rice, oil and everything. You need to know how to create a space to land safely.”
KC has no complaints and does not mind working in both small and big screen roles. It is acting in the end that counts, and added that if it is for quick feedbacks, stage shows and teleserials are the best options. Furthermore, he even said that people are faking it when they say they do not make enough money even for their daily meals as actors.
“We make not only good money, we earn enough to have fat bank balances,” he says.
Like many other comedy character artistes, KC has also been through embarrassing moments in his life because he makes people laugh. When his mom was admitted to a hospital in critical condition two years ago, she was lying on his lap with the oxygen mask. A woman with her child came into the ward and asked KC to caricature some expressions to make her child stop crying.
These are normal to KC by now. He has categorized three sort of fans – one, people who are fond of watching their roles but love to make pranks on them, the next are those who come to visit the actors and pretend they respect them but speak dominantly, and the third are those who do anything just to share a meal with these actors.
For now, KC is all relaxed, and even in his ascending fifties, he is working more as a true comedian.
“There’s still so much to give. I see miles to go before I sleep,” he concluded.
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