Sewa Bhattarai caught up with her to find out why how and why she likes to read.
How did you start reading?
When I was in school, it was compulsory to read a certain number of books. Also, I stayed in the hostel, and the library was always open to hostel students. I used to read a lot of storybooks from the library. Besides, my father reads a lot. He has a large collection of books, and always buys different books at exhibitions, and recommends books to me.
What kind of books did you like as a child?
My father got the comic magazine Tinkle for me all the time. I like books related to environment and humanity, books with a social message rather than those you read just for entertainment.
You are busy acting as well as college. Ho do you find time to read?
Until a few months ago, it was very difficult to find time to read. Exams kept coming and there were assignments too. But now that college has ended, I have ample time. In shooting, after you finish one scene, it takes an hour or two to set another. Mostly, I read scripts during this time because the more you read it, the more you understand your character. But if I find time, I do personal reading as well.
Do course books attract you?
Sometimes I don’t even know the title of a book or a writer’s name, I read whatever attracts me. So yes, I like reading course books too. But obviously, fiction attracts me more.
Have you ever felt that any book you read is overrated?
Generally, I pick books that are already popular or awarded, so they turn out to be good. But I felt that ‘Eleven Minutes’ by Paulo Coelho was overrated. It is one of my favorite books but not deserving of the hype that it garnered.
Do you prefer Nepali books or foreign ones?
As a child, I was more into foreign books. But my father said that if you don’t understand what is around you, you cannot understand anything else. So I started reading Nepali books too. I started with the stories of Ramesh Bikal.
Why should anyone read books?
When you read, you begin to see things from different perspectives. I may have only one perspective of understanding the world, but books add many others. So your vision gets clarity. It also makes you disciplined. If you have passion to read, your mind is never empty. And of course, it makes you imaginative and creative.
Does reading help you in your acting as well?
A script also starts out as a story. If a story is not good, it cannot become a good script. The choice of language, the sequence of scenes, everything is rooted to the story.
Why is it that not many Nepali actors and actresses are into reading?
I think it is the same with every profession, I am sure there are not many bankers who read. People get busy in their own professions. But still, there are people like Rajesh Hamal. I see him go to a corner and pick up his book whenever he is free.
How do you feel about the movie adaptation of books?
When I read ‘Fault in Our Stars’, I had reacted strongly to the book, cried so much. I was very eager to see the movie. But in the movie, the same moments did not touch me so deeply even though the movie itself is good, and everyone has worked hard to make it. It’s the same with Chetan Bhagat’s books. I felt that ‘Two States’ was much better than the movie.
Why do you think not many Nepali books are made into movies?
It takes a lot of hard work to transfer a book’s content onto the screen. After reading a book, an audience will have understood the book in his or her own way. It is hard to meet those expectations; the screen adaptation may not resonate with the audience. Only a few movies can do it successfully, like ‘Jhola’ by Krishna Dharabasi.
Which Nepali book do you think should be made into a film?
Right now I would say ‘Summer Love’. This book depicts the typical lifestyle of Nepali youth who go to Tri-Chandra College. Their emotions like love and hatred are portrayed so well that it feels like you are watching a movie.
On Keki’s Bookshelf
Saya
by Subin Bhattarai
I was eager to red Saya because I had read Summer Love and enjoyed it. The writer uses everyday language which makes the books accessible to everyone.
Seto Dharti
by Amar Nyaupane
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
You find yourself changed after reading this book, which is what a book should do. You feel that no one is wrong; every person is right in their own place.
This book centered on child marriage tells you so much about the human condition.I like how well the characters are established in this book.
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
This tragic story of two teens with cancer, who are struggling to find love despite their impossible circumstance, touched me deeply.
The Chicken Soup Series
This series is a collection of inspiring incidents from real life. Books like these make us positive and optimistic, give us motivation and inspiration.
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