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| Kathmandu, Sunday March 02, 2003 Falgun 18, 2059. |
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Film artistes call to end
violence
Post Report
KATHMANDU, March 1 : Nepali film actors
want to avoid a repeat of the horrifying years of bloodshed and trauma in the country.
They are starving for the return of peace even as the government-Maoists talks are set to
kick-off.
"We do not want bloodshed, we want peace
and love all over the country," a group of actors, singers, film directors and
producers echoed the same concern during an interaction with journalists here today.
"First of all I am going to admit that the
film artistes are hopeful of the turn of events though they have suffered like every one
else due to the conflict," said Karishma Manandhar, a popular Kollywood actress.
However, the popular actress said it might take
several years for the scars caused by the wound to disappear completely. She was referring
to the colossal losses of lives and properties during the seven-year-old Maoist war.
Asked if she had any message to Maoist leader
Prachanda, she said, "whoever he might have been, if he is truly a Nepali, he should
keep his hand on his chest and remind himself that Nepal remains so long as Nepalis are
alive."
"At this moment," she said, "they
must leave aside their vested interests and strive for peace."
There has been a mounting gloom in the film
industry with the Maoist war. Now with the declaration of cease-fire since the last
one-month, they are limping back to normalcy, according to Udhav Poudel, film producer.
"Nepali films have suffered mounting losses
from the conflict and audiences have declined dramatically," he said.
"People didn’t go to cinema halls.
They felt insecure and were financially crippled. But now over 90 per cent of film halls
have re-opened with the declaration of cease-fire," he said.
Lead satirist and comedian Santosh Pant said,
"whoever tries to disrupt the talks would be caught by the throat and dealt with
severely."
"We want peace at all circumstances, no
matter how hard the political parties pull each other’s legs," he added amidst
laughter.
"We see glimpses of what is coming, and are
pretty much sure that the government-Maoist talks lead to the restoration of peace in our
country," said popular vocalist Ram Krishna Dhakal. "Dr Babu Ram and Prachanda
must listen to our voice for peace. I hope he would listen to Karishma."
Feeling a bit nervous at the bullet-like
questions thrown on her, actress Jal Shah said she personally felt great relief at the
declaration of cease-fire.
Yadav Kharel, film producer and director struck
a more cautious note saying: "I think there’s a good reason to be hopeful but
also to worry - there’s only a comma in the war, which is yet to be turned into a
full-stop."
We really don’t want to see violence
anymore, he said, making incessant criticisms of the political parties and holding them
responsible for the Maoist conflict.
Musician Alok Shree, who hails from the same
village of Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai in Gorkha, said, "with the Maoist violence, no music
has been played. Even if they are played, there is no charm and meaning to it."
Basundhara Bhusal, actor-comedian said that many
Nepali women had their ‘sindoors’ wiped out from their forehead.
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