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
Quick questions with Nikita Chandak
Q. Three adjectives to describe yourself.
A: Sensitive, honest and lazy
Q. Three qualities you seek in your friends.
A: I think it’s the vibe that connects me with someone and once we become friends, I only expect loyalty.
Q. A question you wish people would stop asking.
A: There used to be a question—“Are you an Indian?” But no one has asked me that for quite a long time now. So there’s no question as such right now.
Q. Words you live by.
A: At this particular moment of my life, the words I am living by is, “I want to be happy and feel peaceful at mind in anything I do.”
Q. Celebrity crush.
A: No one at the moment.
Q. An advice you would like to give to your younger self.
A: “In the end, everything will be fine and it will be the way it is supposed to be. Just keep going.” This is the advice I would like to give not only to my younger but to my present self also.
Public parks more about priority than budgeting
How important is open space for urban areas?
It is very important. We saw that during the 2015 earthquakes. We also need open spaces to organize sports programs and mass gatherings. In the past we were not able to do much urban planning. But now we are working to set aside at least 5 percent of total city area as open spaces.
Can’t barren open spaces, the few that are still left, be turned into public parks?
Public parks need to be spacious and suitable for all age groups, and they should be disabled-friendly. They should also have amenities such as public toilets and drinking water. Narayan Chaur in Naxal, for example, even has a system to recycle rainwater.
Out of total area of Kathmandu valley, how much is open space?
Around 39 percent of the valley is covered by forests whereas houses have been built on 17 percent area. Urbanization is encroaching on agricultural land, not the areas covered by the forests. So the valley’s forests are largely intact. Also, we have specified that for a land larger than 8 aanas (254.37m2), up to 60 percent of the area can be taken up by the house. Land smaller than 8 aanas should can have up to 70 percent area covered by the house.
Why can’t the vast open spaces at Tinkune for instance be turned into a green space?
Sometimes it is hard to evict people from a piece of land even after giving them due compensations. Talking about the open space at Tinkune, it is partly privately-owned. Some locals are unhappy with the amount of compensation they are getting, and so the case is currently under the purview of the Supreme Court. Other challenges include poor budget allocation and distribution and lack of coordination among local authorities.
Is budget shortfall a hindrance to building of green spaces?
It is more about government priority than budgeting. If the government deems is necessary there will be no problem in mobilizing the budget. It can also invite the private sector. The parks can also be made with the help of local community members, for the benefit of that community. So rather than the budget it is about prioritization and government mindset.
Are there any new plans for creating open spaces?
Not immediately but we have a vision to create four cities in four corners of Kathmandu valley. The demand for public parks is high. There is prospect for green spaces around Tri-Chandra College area and Chhauni if we relocate the college and army barracks respectively. Relocating some governmental bodies could also free up much-needed open spaces.
As you pointed out, lack of open spaces was keenly felt during the 2015 earthquakes. But there are fewer open spaces now compared to 2015.
Yes, this is happening because the services are centralized. We have centrally located educational institutions, medical services and entertainment facilities. That is why our city is densely populated and there is lack of open space in city center. But if you go by statistics, only 17 percent area of the valley is covered by houses.
Just for the sake of open space, people cannot be expected to live in outskirts of the valley, can they?
That is why we have come up with the vision of four cities around the valley. The goal is to reduce congestion by providing quality services and facilities in these smaller settlements are well. The old city will remain as it is but people won’t necessarily have to be there to be able to benefit from modern-day facilities.
Where will the four cities be located and how long before they come into being?
The three small cities will take three years and one big city will take about four years. The small cities of around 5 million square meters will be built around the Gundu-Balkot area, Bhainsepati-Bungmati area and Naya Buspark-Jhor area, respectively. Likewise, the big city of around 50 million m2 will be built around Changu Narayan municipality, Sankharapur municipality, Kageshwori-Manahara municipality and Thimi municipality.
How do you see green spaces evolving in Kathmandu valley?
The areas for green spots will remain intact. The government is aware of its importance and working to protect open public spaces. Also, for the private sector, our new plans have better specifications regarding open spaces in private property. Hopefully, all these efforts will lead to more open public spaces.
Photos by Pritam Chhetri
