Anurag Kunwar, a versatile artist carving his niche in the Nepali film industry, is a testament to dedication and diverse roles. Despite a background in hotel management, his true passion lies in portraying multifaceted characters on the silver screen.

Having pursued an advanced diploma in hotel management (food and beverage) in Singapore, Kunwar embarked on his cinematic journey upon returning to Nepal. “I was in Singapore for around 4.5 years from 2001, but my desire to pursue a career in my own country led me to return to Nepal,” he says.

Despite his educational background in hotel management, Kunwar found his passion for cinema eclipsing his interest in the hospitality industry. “I wasn’t convinced by the Nepali hotel system. My thought process never aligned with the system, causing me to lose interest despite having an education in hotel management,” he says.

He first established a horse-riding company before movies. “I started Angel Horse and Stable Pvt Ltd in 2010 which provides horse riding and horse buggy services in Kathmandu,” he says. As most of Kunwar’s relatives are from the military and police backgrounds, he says he saw horse buggies during family weddings. “Horse buggies and horses fascinated me since my childhood, so I decided to set up my own horse-riding company,” he says.

Kunwar ventured into acting as a character of a villain in Sudarshan Thapa’s ‘K Yo Maya Ho’ in Aug 2011. His debut role was well-received by the audiences, which helped him find other film roles. His fascination with cinema was nurtured by his friends within the industry, who often remarked on his natural flair for acting. “Sudarshan Thapa who gave me my first acting job is a dear friend,” says Kunwar.

The next movie Kunwar did was ‘Facebook’ in Sept 2012. In 2015, the two movies were released—‘My Promise’ and ‘Woda Number 6’. He then went on to do ‘Raato Ghar’ (2017), ‘A Mero Hajur 2’ (2017), ‘Shatru Gate’ and ‘Chhakka Panja 3’ in 2018. This year Kunwar had two releases, ‘Chhakka Panja 4’ and ‘Ek Bhagavad Ra Ek Gita’. In most of the movies he has done so far, he has been cast as an antagonist.

Reflecting on his movie choices, Kunwar says he gives a lot of thoughts on the character and team dynamics. “The primary factor for me is the ability to justify the character,” he says. “Of course, the cast and crew also play a huge part. They form the backbone of any cinematic endeavor. It’s a collective effort.” Kunwar says.

While remaining tight-lipped about his upcoming projects, Kunwar reveals the completion of the film ‘Hridaya Bhari’,  which is currently in its post-production phase.

“As an actor, I constantly seek diverse roles that allow me to explore new dimensions, ones that the audience may not be familiar with,” Kunwar says. He says he seeks roles that challenge societal norms and intends to delve into characters that mirror his own reserved persona, aiming to unravel unexplored facets through his performances.

“Revisiting my past performances fuels my determination to continually improve as an actor,” he says. “It also motivates me to work with more passion and determination in the next projects.” 

In Nepal, only five percent of the total population watch Nepali cinemas. Kunwar says there is disparity between local and international cinema viewership. “While Hollywood and Bollywood movies often draw audiences despite negative reviews, Nepali cinema faces a different scenario.” 

He says that even with positive reviews, Nepali audiences sometimes hesitate to visit theaters to watch Nepali films. He suggests Nepali viewers to offer local cinema the benefit of the doubt and consider watching it if the reviews are promising. “By being open to supporting Nepali films based on positive feedback, audiences can contribute significantly to the growth of the local film industry,” he says.

“A positive aspect in our industry is the continued production of Nepali cinemas, ensuring that the industry remains active,” he however says a concerning trend arises from filmmakers who create movies without adequate groundwork and preparation. “This lack of thorough planning ultimately affects the quality of the films, consequently dissatisfying the audiences.” 

He also says that it is crucial for filmmakers to prioritize proper research, pre-production work, and meticulous planning to deliver content that resonates positively with the audience and contributes to the growth of Nepali cinema.

Offering advice to aspiring industry entrants, Kunwar stresses the need for comprehensive industry understanding and highlights the industry’s financial instability as a critical factor. “The issue at hand is that Nepali celebrities often compare themselves to Bollywood celebrities without acknowledging the vast difference in market size,” he says. “It’s essential to understand that Nepali cine market is significantly smaller in comparison. While the actor should draw comparisons in terms of acting skills and performance, it’s unrealistic to equate our market volume and payment structures with Bollywood’s.”