Multi-faceted Personality

Ghimire has contributed the country through various activities

By KABI ADHIKARI

Ghimire : Versatile actor

Perhaps that was the golden age for theatre. Large number of people used to go to theatre eager to watch live performance on stage. The natural acting of the performer caught the attention of huge number of people in theatre that time. Though there was no publicity or marketing gimmicks through television or other advertisements, the stage drama attracted a fair number of crowd. That was the time when Ujwal Ghimire took his first tentative steps on the stage in 1982.

More than two decades ago, when he started his career performing on the stage, he was engaged in Radio Nepal , too, as an anchor. Within this period, he had managed to involved in both fields together. As an actor of stage he spent a number of years giving performances, which shaped his subsequent career as well.

Ghimire didn't know that he would one day achieve such success in this field. Born on February 26 in 1960 in Biratnagar, Ghimire is gifted with multiple talents. He has made his name as dramatist, actor, director and producer. He has even made documentaries. Ghimire has performed in dozens of dramas. Among them, 'Jemanta', 'Yama' are his favorites.

Ghimire is also the first director to direct the first tele-film (serial for television) in Nepal
Television. That tele-film was named 'Yastai Hunchha'. It was produced by Santosh Panta. Ghimire was also busy in training of the audio-visual media in an institution called Worldview International Foundation (WIF) that time.

Ghimire is known as director of the several feature films. 'Gothale' of Krishna Malla, 'Jindagani', 'Biswash', 'Subhakamana' etc are some feature films in which he has directed. 'Jindagani' is his own feature film. Rajesh Hamal, Dilip Rayamajhi, Karishma Manandhar are the major characters in this film. It was the super hit film of 1999.

Besides direction, Ghimire has earned fame in acting also. His performances in several films are very admirable. The feature film 'Santan' of Prakash Thapa was the most successful film in 1987. The role he played in this film earned him great name and fame in his life. That's why he bagged award for the best negative role in the film. 'Dhadkan' and 'Abhimanyu' are two other feature films in which he has played different roles.

Similarly, Ghimire has also played in several films made on 'Joint Venture' (with producers from other countries) like 'Swartha', 'Lady Commando' etc. While playing role in such films, he has visited several countries like Philippines , Malaysia , Hong Kong etc. Now, he is busy in three films of Chhabi Ojha, Chiranjibi Basnet and Ajay Nepal .

Apart from film direction and acting, he is equally known for making documentaries and advertisement/commercials. Since he had taken the training of audio- visual, he has keen interest in documentaries too.

In collaboration with foreigners he has made several documentaries. Once he had made the documentary for Danish Volunteer Organization and Red Barna.

"Documentaries are the main source which can be extended world wide and they can do international marketing", says Ghimire. "To me documentaries are the long lasting profession whereas direction and acting are side jobs", added Ghimire.

Ghimire claims himself as the first person to make film on mainstream as well as documentaries at the same time. Influenced by Shekhar Kapoor, an Indian director, Ghimire says, “Shekhar Kapoor is the one who can make the film like 'Bandit Queen', 'Mr India ', and even ' Elizabeth '. He has reached great heights. As a film director he/she must be ready to make any kind of art film or commercial film in his career."

Apart from making documentaries, direction on films and advertisements, and acting, he has interests in literature, too. Dozens of stories and poems written by him have been published in 'Samakalin Sahitya', 'Bhanu' and so on.

'Every man is learning anytime'- Having inspired by this proverb, Ghimire is still learning from foreign feature films. That's why he watches English movies regularly.

In recognition to his contribution to Nepal , Ghimire has been awarded and felicitated by several awards and medals. He has been awarded with 'Best film award' on 'Bishwash' in 2001 by the program organized by Nepal 1, 'Best negative actor award on 'Santan' in 1987, among others.