KATHMANDU, April 30: Ranju Jha, one of the four people killed in Monday´s blast in Janakpur was a budding actor. Ranju, best known for her lead role in Chaukhat (Threshold), a critically-acclaimed short film directed by Dipak Rauniyar, had already made her mark in Nepali theater.[break]
The 35-year-old had also showcased her talent in Aama-2, directed by Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya apart from other Tele-films like Shristi and Kala-azar.
She had also played a part in Katha Mitho Saarangiko -- a radio drama produced by BBC Nepali service. Her performance in the recently broadcast TV serial Baba was also praised by many.
Apart from TV serials, Ranju had worked in several Maithali dramas like Okhali Muha Dekhaichhi, Gam Nai Khataiya, Hutaha Ghail, Push Jaad ki Magh Jaad, Birju Biltu Ababu and Pret Chahe Asoj.
A mother of two sons, she worked for social transformation through theater.
On Monday, hours after she was killed, a group of artists and litterateurs gathered at Shilpi Theater Group in Kathmandu and remembered Ranju as a talented actor.
Theater artist Anup Baral remembered Anju as someone who could effortlessly express her emotions in dramas and films.
In Chaukhat, which won an award at Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) and was screened at Cannes Film Festival, Ranju had assayed the role of a Mithila woman who dares to cross the threshold of her house -- metaphorically going beyond social barriers.
Academician Ramesh Ranjan Jha praised Ranju´s role in Chaukhat. "She embodied the boldness of Mithila women," Jha said.
According to Chaukhat director Rauniyar, Ranju had not watched Chaukhat until recently. Just three days ago, she got a DVD of Chaukhat from Rauniyar. "I don´t know if she watched Chaukhat before her death," an emotional Rauniyar said.
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