You’ve seen Daniel Radcliffe grow up as Harry Potter, and you’ve been a great fan of Peter Parker who plays Spiderman. Your childhood favorite must have been Christopher Reeves – more popularly known as Superman – and didn’t you love watching the stunts made by Christian Bale of the Batman fame? Not to miss Daniel Craig – the new James Bond. [break]
Sad but true, Nepal didn’t have such real lifelike reel heroes who could flaunt in supernatural characters, jump over the trees like Tarzan, and like Spiderman, rescue ones in trouble.
Talk about any actor in Nepal, it’s always been Bhuwan KC, Rajesh Hamal, Nikhil Uprety, and Dilip Rayamajhi. And all they do is dance around the Kurintar valley and jump and dump in fighting on the hills of Chobhar, or whisper romantic dialogues either at Nagarkot or by the Fewa Lakeside in Pokhara.
But the scenario will not remain the same, as is promised in our very own Jungle Man – Iku.
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Suleman Shankar (Iku).
Bijay Gajmer
Born Suleman Shankar, Iku – the Jungle Man, 25 – is the not new to small screen business, and now he’s all set to make his debut on big screen too.
Approximately five feet tall, thin and hairy, he doesn’t have abs like Biraj Bhatta, he’s not good with girls as Bhuwan KC is, and he’s not an action hero like Nikhil Uprety. Still, Iku has become successful in winning the hearts of thousands of people in Nepal. And for children in and around the Valley, he’s no less fascinating than Spiderman and Superman.
Iku’s professional journey began from the teleserial “Bahunna Ghussa Tripanna Thakkar.” Then, he was only known as Suleman Shankar. He became “patalo sanghko neta” and also played as “tees pauko neta” for Dipak Raj Giri and Dipa Shree Niraula’s “Tito Satya.” Last but not the least, Kedar Shrestha and Sitaram Kattel of “Meri Bassai” weekly serial introduced him as “Iku.” His role as Iku got over shortly. But that wasn’t the end. In fact, after “Meri Bassai,” Suleman was left with no other option than to continue his fame of being “Iku – the Jungle Man” because people wanted him to see more.
He planned to give continuation to the character of Iku. But it wasn’t through “Meri Bassai.” He planned to produce a movie and started working on it. Finally, he can see his dream come true because this Friday, Iku is releasing his film “Iku the Jungle Man” in the capital and in theaters across the Valley.
“It’s a comedy movie. It’s different and I can guarantee you that your ticket price won’t be wasted,” says the Jungle hero, and adds, “There are many real stunts in the film, and I’ve really worked hard to make people remember this character.”
He promises that Nepal will have its own unique character for films, and Suleman will keep “Iku the Jungle Man” alive in different ways.
Though he has awestricken many people through his unique acting styles and character play, it was however not that easy for Suleman to become Iku.
“For a struggling actor like me, who isn’t that tall, who doesn’t have huge body, and most importantly, who is into a comedy character, it’s really difficult adjusting in the industry,” he reveals.
Iku still faces a lot of problems while he’s out in public.
“Once I was driving my motorcycle on Putali Sadak. One rickshaw carrying goods tried to overtake me. As its driver noticed me on the bike, he screamed my character name and he had an accident. But I don’t know if that was out of fear or due to excitement,” recalls Suleman with a surprised expression on his face.
“At times, I also have to face harassments and abuses from people on the streets. In Nepal, people still haven’t understood the idea and importance of character roles. It’s all six packs and muscles that matter in films here. However, I must also agree that there are many who’re looking for changes. And I’m committed to bring some,” he elaborates.
With his fingers crossed, Iku is now waiting for the release of his film, after which people will decide if they want to see more of him or not.
He funnily concludes, “If my movie does well, I’ll ask Ruby Bhattarai (the newcomer actress in the sequel to “Kusume Rumal”) for a day date in Pokhara. But why would she go with me? After all, I’m a Jungle Man. Poor me, I’m still single and looking for someone who can climb trees with me, be there for me in rain and shine, and tolerate my jangali character.”
In that case, we recommend for him actress Zenisha Khadka who climbed trees like Tarzan’s Jane in the movie “Jungle Queen” and has other qualities Suleman, or let’s say Iku the Jungle Man, is looking for.
Ta-da!
