Lack of Newness in Nepali Movies

From the era of Shiva Shanker Manandhar to the era of Anmol Kc, there has been large number of changes in Nepali Film Industry. Although Nepali Film Industry had been at different phases, it had been able to catch up the pace till date. The movie indsutry in 1980s was perfectly fine, where people would love the movies as per the need.
By the end of 1990s, there had been next bunch of Nepalese movies with peak stage of Bhuwan KC, Rajesh Hamal or Karishma Manandhar, Tripti Nadakar. That era had been fine as well.

However, the pace could not continue further after 2000, and that was the time when Bollywood industry took hyper effect among Nepalese audiences. That was the time, when one bunch of Nepalese mass started boycotting Nepali movies. That should have been the reason why actors like Dilip Raymajhi, Niruta Singh, Richa Bhattarai, Richa Ghimire had to seek alternative. Maybe, the movies were not up to the mark back then, or it could be that they lacked the salt.

Thank God! Bhusan Dahal then came up with Kagbeni, Alok Nembang came up with Sano Sansar, which introduced the modern era over Nepali Film Industry. Besides attracting those mass, who had been ignoring Nepali Film Industry, the same mass started expecting something better out of it at the same time as well. Nembang and Dahal's contribution must be appreciated for enlightining the light in the dark. Those bollywood freaks and hollywood fans started realizing, it is Nepali Film industry which ultimately serves the Nepali taste in the end. Those teen aged mass were highly targeted, and ended up in success as well. College going kids, teen aged mass started talking about Karma, Namrata Shrestha or Jeevan Luitel.

During that every time, Manoj Pandit was with some critically acclaimed movies as well; but it must be because of too much of censorship, that could not gain any hype. It was only after the release of Loot, people started believing that there can be something from Nepali Movie industry as well. Be it through Kabaddi, or the next Kabaddi Kabaddi - Nepali Movie Industry then finally bounced back to the state where it had to be.

That should have been fine till the industry reached record breaking movie Chakka Panja. But, the diminished craze over second version of Loot, Loot 2 shows that there is again something that has been lagging behind in the picture. Did Love Shasha made it as it had been promoted? Or, why wasn’t Bir Bikram that huge success?

Dayahang taught that acting has to be in natural form, and Nischal Basnet taught that movies must be creative enough to attract audience. But that never meant that the natural acting would always be applicable. Or, creativity should not always framed like that of Loot. Yes, Nepalese audience does seek for Nepalese taste. What else could be the reason else they would love Chakka Panja that huge? Besides addressing Nepalese youths, the movie was also able to serve typical Nepali story with humor and reality. The bitter story not only portrayed the incident of rural region of Nepal, but included general lifestyle thereby.

It is now highly essential to identify key factors that would attract Nepalese mass within and abroad. Those associated fields, within and abroad which acts as vital role in development of audience's interest has to be defined at very preliminary phase and then should be worked out. Uma had wonderful story, or Adhyaya had Nepalese stories to present. There could be wonderful stories, from any normal lives that could be taken into consideration.

Oscars nomination will always have some simple story to present. It is now important to understand that the same romantic stories like that of Classic, or Dreams should be taken step ahead at the same time as well. Gajalu had some hidden story to present, but that was way too narrowed. It could have been well researched story as well.

This golden era of movie must be analyzed properly, as it would contribute in taking movie industry a level up. That is fine with segmenting audiences from movies like Bhairav or Hawaldar Suntali.

Maybe, it is also high time to realize that earning profit itself is not the success of the film industry, but there has to be something different to the mass. It is great to see talented, learned mass in movie industry. May their contribution really work out for the upliftment of Nepali Film industry.

I am generally laggard in terms of movie industry, but I do watch Nepali Movie. Though late, Chakka Panja dragged me into the theater to have a view; but I am waiting Loot 2 to be released in Youtube.



Published in The Rising Nepal's Friday Supplement of 7th April, 2017