Was making films always your ultimate goal?
Filmmaking has always been the only thing I wanted to do. When I was 10 in Butwal, I took up the job of pasting film posters in the town in return for two free film tickets. I loved watching films. I loved reading comics, and that’s where I got introduced to the concept of storyboarding. We had a sweets shop, and as I couldn’t buy comic books, I would steal some sweets from the shop and exchange them for a comic book. As I grew older, I occupied myself with hosting shows, and then took up small jobs creating advertisements for radio. I failed to find work in television shows in Kathmandu and then I went to Mumbai. I worked as a trainee assistant, an assistant director, and finally, I was working as a chief assistant director with a show at Sony when I decided to come back.
Photo: Bijay Gajmer/ Republica
How was your experience of filming “Malatiko Bhatti”?
The primary thing is that there’s a certain laxity when it comes to working as a professional here. In Mumbai, everything’s structured better, and I wasn’t used to certain working conditions here. And of course, there are technical difficulties in Nepal.
Let’s talk about “Manjari.”
It has a story with a universal appeal. Anyone can relate to it. It’s a true story that I heard from someone who heard it from someone else. It was the universal appeal of the story that drew me to it. I’ve paid attention to every little detail. Hence, there are no big stars in it. It’s about a young boy and girl from a small town. The actors justify their roles. There is the feel of a small town in every frame. Sujata Koirala plays the protagonist, and I’m definite that, as the story progresses, people will come to love her character. “Manjari” is a romantic drama, and there’s good music, humor, with good actors, good professional people working on the film.
What do you have to say about the film industry here?
It’s my opinion that with the entry of the new crop of filmmakers, the older ones are getting their act together. I don’t believe when people talk about there being no market for Nepali films. If there’s nothing good in what’s being offered, people will obviously turn to substitutes to fulfill the demand. It’s up to us to make films that will satisfy our audience. What I’ve realized is that if a script is even half as good, people don’t hesitate to watch it. It’s our responsibility to meet that need.
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