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Cinema of Nepal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The beautiful Himalayan country of Nepal does not have a very long film history, but the industry has its own place in the cultural heritage of Nepal.
Most Nepali films use Bollywood-style songs and narrative, and are shot on 16mm film. In film industrial language, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and the center of the Nepali-language film industry, is called Kaliwood, as opposed to Kollywood.
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The making of Nepali film is said to have begun with D. B. Pariyar's Satya Harishchandra, which was the first Nepali Language film to be shot, produced from Kolkata, India, and was released on September 14, 1951 (2008 BS). Aama (meaning mother) was the first film produced in Nepal, and was released on October 7, 1964 (2021 BS). It was produced by the Information Department of His Majesty's Government Of Nepal (now Government of Nepal). It was directed by Hira Singh Khatri and the lead actors were Shiva Shanker Manandhar and Bhuwan Thapa, who are regarded as the first actors in the history of the Nepali film industry. The first film to be produced under a private banner was Maitighar (meaning the birth home of a girl), which was released at the end of 2023 BS under the name of Sumonanjali Films Pvt. Ltd. Although it was a Nepali movie, it had many Indians contributing toward the making of the film. Mala Sinha had the lead role, along with C P Lohani, whom she later married. It had special appearances of Sunil Dutt and comedian Rajendra Nath. Directed by B S Thapa and music scored by Jaidev, a veteran music maestro, it had Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, and Manna Dey, all of them established Indian singers, doing the playback-singing along with the household names of Nepali music, like Narayan Gopal, Prem Dhoj Pradhan, C P Lohani, and Aruna Lama.
Then His Majesty's Government established the Royal Nepal FIlm Corporation in 2028 BS. Mann Ko Bandh was the first film produced by the Corporation. Prakesh Thapa was the director of the film. Nati Kaji and Shiva Shanker were the songcomposers. Amber Gurung scored the background music. The film premiered in 2030 BS in Kathmandu. Mann Ko Bandh was followed by Kumari (the first Eastman color Nepali film) in 2034 BS, Sindoor in 2037 BS, and Jeevan Rekha in series. The success of these films opened up avenue for private parties to enter into filmmaking as industrial endeavor.
After the introduction of private companies in the Nepali film industry, the time came when more films were being made and they were much accepted by Nepali audience. Films such as Kusume Rumal, Lahure, Kaanchi, Samjhana, Basudev, Saino, Koseli, which were released between 1984 and 1993 AD/CE, were immensely appreciated and loved by the public. The actors much liked by the people at the time were Bhuwan KC and Tripti Naadkar, whose on-screen chemistry saw them being dubbed the golden couple of the Nepali film industry. In the later years of the decade, the industry saw the rise of another golden couple of the screen—Rajesh Hamal and Karisma Manandhar, who had a very good fan following and were considered Nepal's best actors.
The start of Maoist revolution was the start of the downfall of the Nepali film industry. In the era of war and conflict, a very small number of films were made, and audiences fell sharply. That resulted in lower budgets and even lower performances, which resulted in even smaller audiences.In the later years of the conflict, the production and release of Nepali films had come to a standstill. Many actors and filmmakers left the country in search for work because there were no films being made.
As Nepal has just calmed down and with Maoists coming into mainstream politics, the Nepali film industry is starting to catch up to its previous state. Now, more and more films are being made and released. The production companies and those in the industry are enthusisatic in the country's new situation. The return of peace in the country has opened more venues for the shooting of the films, and the industry is seen making much use of this time to revive the image of the industry.
Some of the films that are in the process of being made and released are Alpabiram, Durga, Feri Arko Saino, Nari, and there are many, many more.
The Film Development Board (FDB) was established by the Government of Nepal for the development and promotion of the Nepali Film Industry. It has created an environment of supporting the promotion of different aspects of motion-picture production in Nepal. The Board is a liaison to facilitate the conceptualization, making, distribution, and exhibition of Nepali filmsl. It also attempts to abridge the gap between film entrepreneurship and government bureaucracy. However, the Board is bound to take care of safety of the people and support the interest for the inspiring films of the common populace. The Board is a balance between the people at large, the government, and the process of filmmaking. It is, therefore, the safeguard of the interest of the people, the watchdog of the government, and the advocate of filmmakers.
[More information about Nepali cinema can be obtained from http://www.film.gov.np ].
Some informations for filmmakers who are interested in Nepali location can be obtained from: http://www.film.gov.np/filming.pdf
Nepal, with its captivating natural beauty, is also renowned as a perfect place for shooting films. From snow-capped mountains to the vastness of terrain, you name it, and it has it. Many film makers from India and abroad have captured the beauty of this Shangri-La in their cameras. Some of the films shot here in Nepal were Little Buddha, The Golden Child, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Ghar Wali Bahar Wali, The Conquest of Everest, and more, The most internationally acclaimed film was the Academy Award-nominated Caravan (also known as Himalaya), a film by French director Eric Valli.
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- Film Development Board, Nepal
- Nepali Film, Nepali movies
- Nepal Film Producers Association
- Jai Chamunda Films Pvt. Ltd.
- Nepal Vista
- Nepal Research-Film/Cinema
- Nepalese film at the Internet Movie Database
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