Starring Saugat Malla, Karma, Dayahang Rai, Reecha Sharma, Srijana Subba, Sushma Karki, Prateek Raj Neupane, and Sushil Raj Pandey, the film narrates the story of a group of youngsters who decides on an unusual plan to make money.[break]
Excited and nervous about his debut venture, Basnet strongly believes that honesty is the best policy.
“I’ve made the film with much love and honesty and I’m hoping the audiences will notice it,” he says.
Nischal who held workshops with the cast and crew before beginning the actual filming thinks this new method makes the actual film a lot more polished.
“Kagbeni” by Bhusan Dahal is the best made movie in recent times, according to him. Looking towards gathering audiences for Nepali cinema through “Loot,” he takes some time away from the post-production of the film to give us a glimpse.
Where does “Loot” come from?
I earlier made a short film entitled “Innocent” and currently I’m doing my Bachelor’s in filmmaking from Oscar College. Also, I lived in Australia for three years where I took various classes on computer software programs that can be used in filmmaking.
Also, I’ve assisted Navin Subba in “Goodbye Kathmandu” and also worked with Abhinash Bikram Shah during the filming of “Shareer.” It was only after this that I decided to direct a film of my own.
The story I share through the film had been with me for several years.
Give us the basic plot of your film.
The story is of a group of youngsters who are in need of money. It’s the story of today’s time when, although having qualifications, the youth remain unemployed.
Frustrated by their circumstances and in the hope of a better tomorrow, they make a plan that will change their lives forever. It’s a quest for quick money and better life.
In a place where the crime rates are ascending day by day, “Loot” draws a reality check on the present security system of the city. Loot is about relationships: it’s about friendship and betrayal. Loot is the real picture of Kathmandu; the city of crime and lawlessness like never explored before.
How does your film stand out?
Firstly, I’ve tried my best to make the film as realistic as possible. My film doesn’t have a hero who goes around bashing things violently and yelling on top of his voice and nor does my heroine engage in dancing around trees.
In fact, my film doesn’t have a single hero or heroine. All the characters are equal parts of the film. Another thing about my movie is that I’ve taken special care in dialogue delivery. Most of our films have screams as dialogues, which I think looks very bad.
What other shortcomings do you notice in our industry?
Most of the time it’s the script of the film that’s very weak. Even if sometimes the script has potential, its execution is very weak. The acting is very loud, making even emotional scenes laughable.
Another factor that drives audiences away from Nepali movies is that our theatres are very badly managed. The screens are old and scratched and even the seating is very uncomfortable.
What is the best part of being a director?
The best part obviously is that you get to share your stories in the manner you wish to. Also being a part of the pre-production where the job is to translate the raw ideas into a firm plan. Then comes the production part where you call “action” and give notes on performance and shots.
Finally comes the post-production part where you sit with the editor as the movie is put together and finessed. Then sound effects are added and mixed, the color is corrected and visual effects are laid in. The director’s job is to oversee all of this. I’ve loved doing all of this.
What next?
I would like to continue making movies for the rest of my life. Today Nepali film industry is ridiculed by most of the youth, especially the urban ones. I would like to change that. I know it’ll be difficult but I also strongly believe that the scenario can be changed.
I will first make entertaining, fun films and gather audiences and later turn to art films.
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