Busy penning characters when he’s not acting, let’s get to know the man behind the act, in conversation with Thapa.
Schooled or natural
Whether you’re a naturally gifted artiste or a rookie, there are many benefits that you’ll discover. It boosts your self-confidence, helps you empathize with the character you’re portraying, and builds your communication skills. Personally speaking, my time at the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Mumbai was of great help.
A love for writing
I’m drawn to screenwriting. The whole process of giving life to a story through dialogue and character development is fascinating to me. It’s one of the toughest aspects of filmmaking. Without a proper script, any project, albeit its budget, the film’s star cast is doomed. Just completed writing for “Outsider” and “Thamel,” and both of them will be filmed very soon.
Act that makes you react
Method acting is all about homework. It’s about studying every detail of the character you’re portraying. God, they say, lies in details, and it’s the little nuances that makes it believable, closer to reality. Like for “Batch No 16,” I had to master not just the talk but the walk of a soldier which was totally different from my character in “Sick City.” Character is more important than a film’s banner or project. Even in the smallest of roles, you can find memorable performances. If it’s good, I won’t shy away from character roles.
For the love of movies
It’s got to do with passion. One has to develop persistence and patience as well. Money is important but it’s not everything. So, if you’re getting into this field because you think it’ll make you rich, then look to other careers. The financial rewards are certainly there, but only for those who develop their craft first.
Nepali film industry’s Achilles’ heel
Yes, there’s future in movies, but there should be people who genuinely want to make films. As it is, if your product is good, it’ll attract audience. This is how I see it. We lack good scripts, and that’s the major drawback. Second, we need capable directors. There’s no dearth of good actors, but to bring their potential out onscreen, we need good directors, period. And yes, casting should be unbiased and done properly.
Sick City, as it happened
After coming back from Mumbai, I didn’t find anything interesting. So I just waited. It was the longest two years of my life. Obviously, my family was perplexed, there would be constant inquires, “Why aren’t you doing anything? What’s wrong? But I waited. I even worked as a salesman at my friend’s DVD shop in Maha Boudha and taught drama at Chelsea International School. Later, I got a chance to work with Murray Kerr, director of “Sick City,” and was hoping to be an assistant director. But when the lead actor pulled out, somehow the attention shifted to me. I guess destiny had me planned for the role.
Lot of love and hardship went into Sick City, and to be honest, I was scared on the day of screening, forget expecting any award. When the movie bagged Nepal Panorama Best Film Award, it was surreal. I’ve never been so happy in my life.
Batch No. 16
It’s about the relationship between two friends in the Armed Police Force (APF). There’s an incident that leads to a clash of interests between these two buddies. I’m excited about my role for it allows me to switch between two moods. The negative side was fun to play, it was something different.
Busy is good
Outsider – I’m the screenwriter as well as the main lead in the movie. We’ll be starting the shoot somewhere around October, and we’re not rushing in this one. When you act in your own script, it’s not easy but much more fulfilling as you get to act in your own dream roles. I’ll also be shooting for an Israeli daily soap. It’s a small part but I want to experience how they work.
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