Take Nepali films to the international stage

Three ways to realize the vision:

1) Create an environment to showcase Nepali films to an international audience.
2) Develop a culture among Nepali filmmakers to make films with the international audiences in mind.
3) Build a culture in which creative careers, including ones in films, are taken as serious professions rather than just a hobby. 

I, as well as most of the people of my generation in Nepal, grew up watching more international films (Bollywood, Hollywood, Japanese, and Korean) than we watched Nepali films. Since the day I decided to choose filmmaking as my career and to do my Masters in Films from Delhi, I have always strongly believed that if Nepali audiences can watch international movies, international audiences can also watch our films.

Today, thanks to globalization and enterprising filmmakers such as Deepak Rauniyar and Min Bahadur Bham, our films are slowly generating interest in the international arena. Recently, my own Nepali feature film ‘Kathputali’ was screened at some prestigious international film festivals where members of the audience came from different countries.

As Nepali filmmakers, we should broaden our horizon and focus on our native stories that have universal themes and appeal. Along with this, we must also develop relationships for global distribution of our work and to release films at international theaters.

Popular OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime are interested in Nepali films. This is a good sign. Korea is a great example for us to follow. Korean filmmakers make films and series such as Parasite and Squid Game, in Korean, and they do so well internationally.

Also read: Dr. Nishchal N. Pandey | The youth takes leadership in every sector 

I am confident that a day will come when Nepali films and series, made in Nepali, will also have such a huge international audience and positive responses from all over the world. 

As in many other countries, many in Nepal still see careers in creative areas such as filmmaking as a hobby and not as a true profession. Today, such careers have become lucrative worldwide. Even in Nepal, there is a misconception that one can’t survive financially by choosing a career in films.

Filmmaking in Nepal is becoming more and more professional whereby millions of rupees are invested in a film, and at least 50 people get jobs in one feature film. So one doesn’t need to be a doctor or an engineer to have a successful career. If you are passionate about filmmaking and have the urge to tell stories, you can become a filmmaker. It is a career that not only brings money but also fame. 

I feel the Nepali film industry is in a good phase right now. It’s growing, with a lot of positivity. When I was small, we as urban Kathmanduites rarely watched Nepali films. But today, urban audiences have started watching Nepali films, thanks to a growing number of sensible filmmakers who are making good cinema.

Yesterday, people who opted for a career in Nepali cinema didn’t have the option of studying filmmaking. Now, we have six film schools right here. I myself teach screenwriting at two colleges in Kathmandu. Many Nepali filmmakers who have studied filmmaking abroad are making films—Nepali films for the international audience. It’s such a positive sign.

Films are one of the most powerful art forms with the power to touch people’s hearts everywhere. It is time that we, young filmmakers, focus on the stories we want to share with the world, learn the grammar of filmmaking and make films. I see a bright future for Nepali cinema.

Quick Questions:

Which is your favorite Nepali movie and why?

“White Sun” by Deepak Rauniyar as it has every element that we as an audience seek.

Which Nepali movie director do you admire the most?

I would again say Deepak Rauniyar.

One Nepali book you want to adapt into a movie.

I have thought of a few but if you ask for one, I will say ‘Ular’ by Nayan Raj Pandey.