Scheduled for a Spring release in 2013, ‘Uma’ is set in the early 2000s when Nepal was going through one of the biggest conflicts in the country’s history. [break]
The insurgency has been woven with the relationship of a brother and sister, who part ways because of the conflict.
Talking with Republica, veteran actor Mithila Sharma, who is playing the role of Uma’s mother, said, “The shooting is going quite smoothly. I am very happy to work with Saugat because I’ve been hearing a lot about him.
Photos: Pravat Jung Gurung/Republica
Director Tsering Rhitar directing Reecha Sharma, who plays Uma in the feature film ‘Uma’ in Khopsi, Kavre.
He came from the theater and this is the first time I’m working with him.” She added that Saugat is a trained actor and knows how to regulate his moods and that’s his best part. “Sometimes he speaks a little fast but that’s just his nature I guess,” laughs Sharma.
Saugat on the other hand is also pleased to work Sharma and Tsering Rhitar. “When I saw Mukundo, I wanted to work with Tsering dai and now that I am working with him, it feels good,” shared Saugat.
During the shoot, director Rhitar took the time out to show us around the location and revealed that he has been using solar powered lights for the shoot.
“I built this light which consumes less electricity and it’s just perfect for us,” informed Rhitar, who thinks that the film industry should think about going green.
Actors Saugat Malla and Reecha Sharma, playing brother sister in the movie ‘Uma during the second day of the shoot in Khopsi, Kavre.
The movie is being produced and directed by Rhitar while screenplay has been written by Tsering Choden, who is also the Chief Assistant Director of the movie along with Kumar Bhattarai.
The cast inclues Reecha Sharma, Saugat Malla, Mithila Sharma, Prawin Khatiwada, Ashok Sharma and Dayahang Rai.
Reecha caught on the spot
What is Uma about and what role are you playing?
I am playing Uma in the film. She’s a girl from the village and her journey about how she joins the Maoists. It’s an action cum drama film and it’s got to do with the relationship between Uma and her brother, who is in the police, in the movie. The movie is based in 2002/03 time frame, which was during the insurgency and conflict between the Maoists and the state forces. The movie is very close to reality and it feels great to be a part of this.
How difficult has it been so far to portray the character of Uma?
I think this is the most difficult project I’ve been involved in so far. It’s a very difficult role but my other colleagues say that I’ve been pulling it off quite well. And mostly, I fancy guns, and hopefully I get to hold one, of course not the real one. The first and the second half of the movie’s got different characters of Uma and it’s a challenge to portray it but I’m loving it!
How has the shooting been going so far?
It’s going great! We’ve finished quite a few sequences and it’s going all smooth. Working with Tsering dai is an honor. I really wanted to work with him and it feels great to be a part of the crew here. And also, I absolutely love sharing the screen with Saugat. We were in ‘Loot’ together but we had different scenes so we didn’t really meet. But now it feels great to be working with him and other theater actors.
Related story
Arrest of Dawa Tsering hints at possible political connections
