BUSINESS & ECONOMY

‘I hope to make an international standard film’

By A Staff Reporter
Amar Keshar Simha, 41, is the executive director of Nepal’s first private video company, Himalaya Films Pvt. Ltd. Born to Tika Rajya Laxmi Simha, who was better known as the first woman photographer of Nepal, Amar also developed a deep interest in photography. As such, when he completed his study at St. Xavier’s School in 1975, he went to London to study applied photography.

In London, Simha first studied Pre-Diploma in Art and Design Studies from Ealing College of Higher Education and then acquired B. A. (Honours) Degree in Applied Photography, Film and Television from Harrow College of Higher Education, London. Armed with a high-level degree in photography, film and television offered by the British Government O. D. A., he returned back to Kathmandu almost after six years of study in May 1982.

His first assignment in Nepal was the thesis work on The Brigade of Gurkhas, a documentary, as the major project for the Honours Degree. No sooner than he completed this assignment, he joined Nepal’s first colour processing photo lab, Colorama Pvt. Ltd., established in Kathmandu by his own family.

Appointed as Communication Consultant at Royal Nepal Academy for Science and Technology in may 1986, he realized the power of audio as well as visual medium as the means of disseminating information. “With the intention of establishing a production house to disseminating information through audio and visual means, I along with my friends: Sanjeev Rajbhandari and Amar Rana registered the first private video company in Nepal in 1987,” he explained.

However, due to his involvement with other organizations like Royal Nepal Academy for Science and Technology (RONAST) as Communication Consultant and National Sports Council as Consultant Photographer, he was able to start Himalaya Films Pvt. Ltd. only after two years in 1989.

In between, he also worked as assistant director in a number of feature films and documentaries. These include Nepali feature film Ke Ghar Ke Dera, Chinese feature film The Legend of Wisely, Paramount Pictures feature film The Golden Child and Person to Person, a documentary. When asked about his aim, he says: “Hopefully, it is the production of an international standard film like Caravan.”

Presently, Himalayan Film, has not only acquired 3-machine Betacam SP edit suite with digital SPX but also has kept up with the digital technology by establishing non-linear, computer-based effects and editing facilities with capabilities of producing CD-Roms. “I think we are the only company which is able to give the package solution to all problems related to this field,” Amar says proudly.

Apart from providing video facilities for INGOs, government offices and freelance producers, Himalaya Films has also produced programmes of its own, such as “Kathmandu and the many Worlds of Nepal”, World of Gaida Wildlife”, The Festival of Dasain”, and Maya Ko Bandhan, which was a feature length film on video. It has also made documentaries and advertisements which were shown in worldwide networks.

Since April 1992, Himalaya Films has been representing Worldwide Television News (WTN) in Nepal as a stringer for their Roving Report and Earthfile programmes that are shown on various television networks in over 62 countries. “I am very satisfied with my association in this field because we’ve been able to establish ourselves.”

Mercedes Benz expands business in Nepalese market

By A Staff Reporter
A Mercedes-Benz workshop at local Jhamsikhel was a fitting venue for a Mercedes-Benz Roadshow and to also actually view Benz-MB 100 series passenger coach.

Deepak Gautam and Co, sole distributor of Mercedes Benz 100 series in the Kingdom of Nepal, prompted the road-show with the aim to make people aware about Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of the Deepak Gautam and Co, Gautam Das Shrestha said that it is a luxury passenger van which is best in quality, safety, economic efficiency, environmental consciousness, among others.

Shrestha pointed out that the Mercedes-Benz gives the people a sense of confidence every time one starts the engine, while assuring the ultimate comfort that can go along with the Mercedes-Benz marque.

“In regard to safety, Mercedes-Benz vehicles can be equipped with the ABC (anti-lock braking systems). In addition, a reinforced body-shell can ensure that our customers and their businesses are always safe.”

Chairman of the company Binod Bikram Singh said the road show is unique and first of its kind organized by Mercedes Benz in the country to provide exposure and insight about the features of the passenger coach.Singh said Mercedes Benz offers its customer a very best finish, unmatched durability and unique reliability.

The MB 100 and 140 series are assembled in South Korea and hence is comparatively cheaper than MB products in Europe. However its technology and all the accessories are as per the standards of German Mercedes Benz products, Singh emphasized.

Mercedes Benz vans are available in the Nepalese market at a cost of US$ 13000/- for 12-seater and US $13,600/- for 15-seater.