Foreign Movies Shot in Nepal

The case is not all limited to Doctor Strange of 2016, or Everest of 2015 that was captured by Hollywood Movies in Nepal. On checking the entire list, 'The Golden Child' where Eddie Murphy has major role has its scenes from Nepal. This movie was shot in the year 1986. Or 'Baraka', documentary in 1992, without any narrative and voice over was shot in Nepal as well. These lined up histories reflect that Nepal has been identified by wide range of Hollywood mass as one amazing place to have their scenes captured.

One reason why, the international world appreciates Nepalese scene is because of the unique designs and layout that it had been having. Be it pagoda styled outlook, or the unique and dense UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Nepal will obviously serve in throwing a different scene to International World, which remains beyond their expectations.

One reason, why Nepal happens to be focus of International World is because India has already been able to show Indian scenes to the global world through Bollywood movies one way or the other. The wide reach of Bollywood movies gives reason, why beauties of Nepal’s remain unexplored. Everest manages to show that region of Nepal, and Dr. Strange successfully shows the typical crowded lifestyle of capital.

Little Buddha of 1993, was able to show successfully show Buddhist culture in Nepal, and Seven Years in Tibet has it's own image throughout the Hollywood world. Well that was not all, how history relates. Bob Segar released his album Beautiful Loser, with the song titled 'Kathmandu' back in 1975 itself. Till date, they all mark as contribution by International world of arts and gift to Nepal.

However, the efforts made by Nepalese authorities to present to International world seems all null. There should have been enough work outs to attract International mass to Nepal, and allow them to promote Nepalese scenes and beauties offering them attractive schemes, but that is all so low. Adventure fantasy movie fall, released in 2006 took such a huge gap and then for foreign to be in Nepal for shooting movies. That should have huge influence of instability in Nepal from Royal Massacre to Maoists conflict. However, except few documentary movies 3D docudrama 'Beyond the Edge' highlighting first ascent of Mt. Everest, which was being shot in Nepal was released in 2014. Everest and Dr. Strange were then followed back.

Movies indirectly influence tourism one way or the other. It is important to understand only after 3 Idiots highlighted Pangong Lake of Laddakh, that spot was a popular tourist destination for Indian as well for foreign tourists. Although Mustang had been popular place for foreigners in Nepal, only after wide range of movies and music video was made in Mustang, it was popular destination for domestic tourists. Movie industry therefore has direct connection with flow of tourism. Nepal should therefore be able to understand this aspect and encourage movies shoot in Nepal.

History of Bollywood shooting dates back in early 1972 itself when Dev Aanand shoots movie 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna', which was later followed by other movies like Mahaan, Yudh, Khuda Gawah, Beqabu, Gharwali Baharwali, Love in Nepal, Ek Haseena Ek Deewana and the recent one Baby. Nepal has not been able to show Bollywood mass either that Nepal has good spaces for shooting.

It should not be ignored that Dev Anand's movie played huge role in attracting Indian tourists to Nepal. Now, rather than charging huge sum of money, only if Nepal makes friendly environment so that any foreigners would come and shoot it for their purpose, that would certainly bring huge impact over the International market.

It was back in 2001, when highest number of foreign film was shot in Nepal. Ever since, that side of the grass has never been flipped and turned. Not all audience would get interested over documentaries or advertisements - there lies one separate bunch who would keep their entire source of knowledge on movies. Didn't we all know that Ireland is such a beautiful place through movie? Or, didn't we know about hidden stories through movies like Selma, Hidden Figures Hacksaw Ridge?

It is now time to show how Rani Mahal was traced out, or how wild can Bardiya National Park be to the international mass. There has been enough effort made by tourism industry to present them to those mass who are already interested in Nepal. Creating awareness within the subconscious mind can only be done through subliminal advertising, and the worth can be highlighted only by allowing these foreign movie makers get into Nepal. Why can’t someone shoot story like Slum Dog Millionaire or Lion’s story in Nepal. We already have enough of our stories from the story of Living Goddess – Kumari to stories of someone who got sold abroad to present.

Once Nepal shows that there are spaces and stories available in Nepal, it’s not Dr. Strange that will be over the timeline, but next series of movies will identify Nepal as one important and beautiful space.


Published in The Rising Nepal's Friday Supplement of April 21 2017