Born in Fikkal of Ilam district in 1932, Bhutani did not get a Nepali citizenship as he could not produce the necessary documents. Bhutani ran from pillar to post but could not convince the authorities into granting him the Nepali citizenship that he so cherished.
Dozens of artistes from the Nepali silver screen and well-wishers paid their last tributes to Bhutani on the hospital premises before being taken to Swayambhu to for his final rites.
Bhutani’s funeral was attended by Minister of Information and Communications Shanker Pokharel among many other leaders.
At a time when Nepali film industry was struggling to establish an identity of its own, Bhutani, among others, introduced Nepali films in the celluloid format. Bhutani entered the Nepali film industry as the first action director in 1975 through the film “Jiban Rekha”.
“He is undoubtedly the pioneer of Nepali action films. It was him, who introduced action as an art form in Nepali films,” Yubaraj Lama, one of the most sought after action directors in Nepal shared emotionally.
After “Jiban Rekha”, Bhutani directed action scenes for other popular Nepali films like “Kanchhi”, “Santaan” and “Manko Baadh.”
Soon action scenes became an integral part of Nepali films and others started following his footsteps.
Bhutani has directed action sequences for more than two dozen films while he has also acted as an action hero for more than three dozen Nepali films. He has also acted in Hindi films like “Hakikat” and “Lalkaar.”
“He was man of principle. He was very soft spoken and friendly to everyone. Once I missed out my date when I was supposed to be directing an action scene for Chino. He substituted me but still refused to take his credit,” director Yubaraj Lama recalled nostalgically. “He lived his life like a saint. I’m pretty sure that many producers are still to clear his debts.”
Action director Rajendra Khadgi, who performed the last rites of Bhutani, shared his memories with him, “Long before, when he told me that he has no family to take care of him in his old age, I had promised him that I would fill that void. It wasn’t easy for me to perform his last rites.”
Bhutani had been diagnosed with stomach cancer two years ago. However, as he was not in a position to afford treatment, Film Development Board (FDB) had organized an event to raise funds for him on October 14, 2009.
In an interview with one of the local newspaper three years ago, Bhutani was quoted as saying, “The country does nothing for its artistes. All these medals and certificates cannot feed you when you are hungry and you cannot put them on when it’s cold. I know I will die as a nobody.”
“All that Gopal Bhutani asked from the state was to give him a Nepali identity. But the country refused overlooking all the contribution he has made to the Nepali film industry,” said Yubaraj Lama.
“Though the state refused to give him a Nepali identity, Gopal Bhutani died as a true Nepali hero,” added Rajendra Khadgi, who was also present at the funeral.
Related story
5 Things about Gopal Chandra Lamichhane
