As an actor, he has been able to reach out to every generation through his satirical comedy acts. Madan Krishna Shrestha is not only an entertainer but also an extremely influential figure who has been successful in spreading awareness about numerous social and political issues. This creative mind never fails to bring an interesting and influential piece of work before us, and he is now working on his autobiography ‘Maha ko Ma’ which is to be out on the first week of September this year. Swasti Gautam caught up with the brilliant actor to bring to you the other side of this wonderful artist, illuminating his interests in literature and writing.
What inspired you to write your own autobiography?
Looking back at your old days has a different charm. Years of struggle now seem like a beautiful memory. Initially, I was not convinced that I could write an autobiography. People are usually interested in reading autobiographies of people who have changed the course of history or shaped a nation such as B.P Korala, Adolf Hitler, Nelson Mandela or A.P.J Abdul Kalam and I do not belong to that great genre. I have led an extremely normal life and I doubted if my life could be exciting to the readers. But when I started writing my own story, my fingers would not stop. I was so involved in the book that I wrote more than what was actually required.
How are books different from sitcoms, movies or stage plays?
Books have the power to capture time and preserve it forever like no movie or a sitcom can do. A book never gets old. Books often tend to document the culture and tradition of a specific era so beautifully that it helps in preserving the authenticity of numerous conventions in the society. In my book, even I attempt to reveal the Newari culture of the times gone by. The traditions and norms of those days may seem interesting, amusing, and even shocking to those who will eventually read my book. Nonetheless, sitcoms are also a kind of literature as they involve writing, articulation, and presentation of a particular story or idea. Hence, although these two forms are distinct they may even tend to merge at some point.
What kinds of books interest you?
I do not have a specific genre I prefer. My books actually change according to my mood. You can even say that the books I’m reading reflect my mood. I read all kinds of books such as fiction, mystery, drama, and comedy. When I was younger, I used to spend the entire night reading a novel. Literature has the power to trap you into their world and that is what I love about reading.
When did your love for writing begin?
No limitation to beauty
In my profession as a comedian and an actor, I had to write scripts. Every time we came up with an interesting and humorous script, my love for writing grew. Getting appreciation and accolades for our dramas and sitcoms encouraged me to write even more and that is how the foundation of my writing skills became strong. But it was not an easy task and did not come naturally. Every creation demanded a lot of thinking, hard work, and rework. My journey in writing has been a long one involving a lot of learning and unlearning.
Do you think books have the ability to change a person?
Every individual is different and everyone has his/her own interests. I would not say that a book has been able to change me completely but numerous books have influenced me in various ways. It totally depends on what a person is able to grasp from a book. My autobiography itself has comedy, romance, struggle, joy and misery. There will be diverse readers and some may be influenced by my struggles while some may enjoy the comedy and romance bits. Books do have a long lasting impact on a person, most of us still remember at least one or two stories that we read in our childhood which means that books can even mould our ideologies and beliefs. The thing is books will always make you think and that thought process will help shape your life.
Can you tell us about your favorite chapter in your autobiography?
That will definitely be the time when I was in love with a girl who is now my wife. Memories of those days never fail to bring a smile on my face. The things that I did out of passion and love now seem so stupid and embarrassing. But loving was not easy for the stigma of caste acted as a barrier between us. Ours was an inter-caste marriage as she was a Brahmin and I was from the Newar community. It was the time of great struggle and excitement, and that may be the reason why it is my favorite.
On Shrestha's Bookshelf
Atmakatha by Binod Chaudhary
This is a story of one of the most successful businessmen in Nepal. I would recommend this inspirational piece of work to young readers. His journey from a government school, to pursuing his passion as a singer and a filmmaker and reaching a point in business where no Nepali has reached till now is an extremely exciting read.
Soch by Karna Shakya
The story has been able to create a great impression on me with its optimism towards the future and life. This book by Shakya teaches you how to lead a moral life that is definitely the key to success. Shakya has a lot to share through his experience. Today’s generation often concentrates on luxury and making money, and this book will help them understand the strength of hard work.
Antarmann ko Yatra by Jagadish Ghimire
Antarman Ko Yatra, which also means the journey of inner feelings, is an extremely well-written book. Based on a historical context, this book seeks to explain and conceptualize the political situation of Nepal after the Rana regime. It is an extremely heart touching autobiography of a writer and the struggles that he faced in his writing career. This book is a must read as it teaches us the value of perseverance and determination.
Sarsarti Sansar by Jiba Lamichhane
This book is an interesting read as it is Lamichhane’s travel memoir. The importance of living each moment can be learnt from his writing. One must read this simply because it is a fun and light-hearted book. This leisure read is about the personal experience and feelings of a person who has traveled to a lot of different places.
China Harayeko Manchhe by Hari Bansha Acharya
I would definitely recommend this book as this is the autobiography of one of my closest friends. This book makes you appreciate the sacrifices your loved ones have made for you. Acharya is a god-fearing man and his journey will help you value the little joys in life. We often tend to take our health and our family for granted; this is one of those books that will remind you of the importance of both.
