Nepali filmmaking lacks professionalism
Aditya Seth is a recognized name in Indian television, corporate movie and documentary domains. Based in Mumbai, India, Seth got the Best Documentary award at the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival for his documentary ‘Bahadur-The Accidental Brave (2011)’ based on the link between HIV and Nepali labor migration to India. He is also an academic and teaches filmmaking and related media. Seth was recently in Kathmandu to conduct a week-long filmmaking workshop for aspiring Nepali filmmakers at the Sarwanam Theatre, Kalikasthan. Sunny Mahat of APEX caught up with him to talk about ‘Bahadur’ as well as his larger film-making career.
How did ‘Bahadur’ happen?
I got hired to work for a radio program that was being made by an international development agency. The program, being produced from Kanchanpur, Kathmandu and Mumbai, was geared at Nepali migrants to India and safe sex practices. At that time, incidents of HIV among Nepali migrants was very high. Since it was a floating population, there was no way to focus on them and teach them safe sex practices.
The far-western region of Nepal was sitting on an HIV epidemic. So when I started interacting with the community in Mumbai, I felt this is something the world doesn’t know about and it is a story that needs to be told. I came to Achham in 2009 and started shooting.
How difficult was it working in remote Nepal?
Security-wise, it was not difficult because the insurgency was just about over. But we did face problems. Access to the place was limited. There were no proper roads to the villages we travelled to. Electricity was scarce too.
As far as the people are concerned, it was quite easy to work with the locals. There was a tacit acceptance of death as an inevitability. As men will go for work, they will stay away from their wives for long, they will go to the brothels, they will practice unsafe sex, they will contract HIV and they will die eventually. That was something they had accepted. Women had been affected too and at the time we were shooting, around 2,000 people had already died of HIV in far-western Nepal. It was strange that there was easy acceptance but again, there was lot of apprehension of people who go to India to work. At the same time, the Nepali ministers and government officials were not ready to talk about the issue.
After all those years in mainstream television, advertising, and corporate film making, have you quit all of them to focus solely on documentaries?
If I get an opportunity, I’ll still work on these industries because I have to make a living. But my interest ever since I became a filmmaker was non-fiction and documentaries.
It’s just that initially I wanted to explore different types of filmmaking so I went to Mumbai and started doing television. I did all kinds of shows from soap operas to dramas to comedies and thrillers. Eventually, I stopped enjoying television.
Then I took a departure from TV and took up other work. I went on to do corporate movies and advertising and whatever I earned, I put into documentaries. For the past 15 years I’ve been doing only non-fiction.
What is your analysis of the Nepali film industry?
Let me talk about lack of understanding or the lack of professionalism in Nepal. Although a few film schools exist here, from what I’ve seen, they’re not very professional and proficient.
Why do you think that is the case?
There are two things as far as Nepal is concerned. One is that the industry is still very small because the investments are not very high. Also, it doesn’t seem to be a very robust or commercially oriented industry. Although I’ve heard of a few successful films, how many films reach that level?
India has been successful because it has been able to constantly grow and improve its market. They also spend as much if not more in marketing and distribution in comparison to production. I think that part is lacking in Nepal. I think the emphasis is more on production rather than on how to reach new audiences as well as the diaspora. Focusing on diaspora is important because Nepal is a remittance-based economy and many Nepalis are settled abroad.
To add to the part about professionalism, one reason I came to Nepal is also to promote my upcoming film academy in Delhi which is starting in a month. The academy will conduct trainings on filmmaking and media disciplines in an extended workshop model. I want students from Nepal to come there and gain from whatever experiences I’ve had. They can bring back those experiences and develop their film industry in Nepal. It’s called the Indian Academy of Shots and it will be affordable to Nepali students.
Quick questions with RAJSHREE RANA (SWANKYRANA) (Blogger & Celebrity stylist)
Q. Describe your personality in three words
A. Since I am an extrovert: forthright, vibrant and outgoing
Q. One outfit that you cannot go wrong with
A. LBD (Little Black Dress)
Q. Biggest pet-peeve
A. People who appear too sweet on the face
Q. Three must-have things before leaving the house
A. My phone, mini perfume bottle, sunglasses
Q. Best piece of advice you’ve received
A. “Think before you speak.” I don’t know how to
Q. If you could have coffee with one celebrity who would it be?
A. Bina Ghale
What you see is what you get with Deeya Maskey
Deeya Maskey is a popular name in Nepali film, theater and, recently, on the small screen. Right with her debut on the big screen with Bhusan Dahal’s ‘Kagbeni’, Maskey was able to establish herself as a potent movie actor. Today Maskey is one of the most successful Nepali actresses and also popular as a judge of the inaugural edition of Himalaya Roadies. As a child, Maskey always wanted to be a dancer and although she persevered with her passion for long, destiny had something else in store. She ended up taking up a career in theater and acting when she met her theater guru Anup Baral, whom she eventually married in 2014 following a decade-long love story. Maskey says her family wasn’t very supportive at the start of her acting career and asked her to choose a different profession. But after she became a successful actress their view towards acting changed significantly and with it came the support.
We ask Maskey to describe herself in three words. She chuckles and answers, “Impulsive, childish and honest.” She is firm in her belief and doesn’t change her stance even under intense criticism. “I do what I want, and do not care about the consequences or about what people think of me. If I love what I do, there is no point in stopping doing it just because people have a problem with it,” says Maskey. “If it was a man instead who had to play the role of being this bold and strong, I am sure this society would have had no problem,” she continues. “But since I’m a woman, everyone had a problem with it.”
“I come from a middle-class family and lead a simple lifestyle,” Maskey continues. “I like doing all my work on my own and working for myself. Even though I might be known as a celebrity, my simple approach to life is what differentiates me.” About her outspoken personality in Roadies, Deeya says there is a boundary between her professional life and personal life and she doesn’t mix the two. Those who have worked with her vouch for her down-to-earth personality.
We ask her what she would like to say to all our readers, to which she answers “Don’t ever stop dreaming. Dream is what will keep you moving forward.” She adds, “You’ll face many obstacles on the way but don’t ever give up. If you work hard enough, you’ll surely succeed.”
In the end, we think a rapid-fire is in order with the determined Deeya:
Q: Passion?
A: Answers at once, “Dance and Acting”
Q: Deeya?
A: Seems rather confident and answers, “Honest”
Q: Roadies?
A: Proudly exclaims, “Life-changing experience”
Q: Love?
A: Blushes and answers, “Anup Baral”
Q: Food you’re always craving?
A: Excitedly exclaims, “Dal-bhaat”
Q: Make-up?
A: “Nope, it’s only a part of my work. Else I hate it,” and makes disgusting faces
Q: Something on your mind?
A: “I’m married,” she yells at once, and starts laughing hysterically
o MUA: V-Glow skin and beauty care, Baluwatar
o Wardrobe & Location: Royal Galleria, Baluwataar
o Photos: Pritam Chhetri
Quick questions with SUNNY MANANDHAR (Guitarist, Albatross)
Q. In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
A. Humble, honest and kind.
Q. A common misconception about you?
A. People think I am brutal going by my looks but I am very soft-hearted. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Q. Question that you wish people would stop asking?
A. Everyone went “Oh my god! You are so thin,” when I lost a little bit weight. Then they go “Oh my god! You’re so fat.” when I gained a little bit weight. It’s very offending.
Q. Words that keep you motivated?
A. More than words, love and affection keep me on my toes.
Q. What would your ideal weekend comprise of?
A. Some quality time with my wife and my loved ones, away from the noise in a quiet place.
Q. Best possession?
A. All of my guitars.
Q. If you could have three of your wishes granted, what would they be?
A. I would ask for three more wishes and, again, another set of wishes and more wishes, so I can use all of them at my own will. hehe
