NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘After The Hrithik Roshan Episode, The Hindi Film Market Has Shrunk Further’

—UDDHAV POUDEL

UDDHAV POUDEL is a well-known personality of Nepal’s film industry. A producer and theater owner, Poudel has been involved in the sector for nearly two decades. His film "Kusume Rumal" is still remembered by audiences nearly 15 years after it was released. He owns the Gopi Krishna, the first multiplex theater in the country. Poudel talked to KESHAB POUDEL and SANJAYA DHAKAL about the past, present and future of Nepalese films. Excerpts:

As a major player in the film industry, what do you think of Nepal’s film market?

The film market here can be divided into two parts. One is the market for Nepalese films, the other is for Hindi films. For the last two, three years, the market for Nepalese films is increasing rapidly. This happened after the government gave tax rebates to Nepalese film. The government currently imposes film development tax only on foreign films. That led to the expansion of Nepalese films, which have captured nearly 60-70 percent of the total share, with Bollywood films taking up the remainder. In fact, after the Hrithik Roshan episode in December last year, the market of Hindi films has shrunk further. There is no authentic data, but I would guess the market share of Nepalese films has reached about 70-80 percent.

As you own a major theater in Kathmandu, how do you assess the situation of exhibitors in the country?

In terms of financial returns, the theaters are getting less compared to previous years. There are around 300 film theaters in the country today. But only 40 to 50 films are produced annually in the country. Therefore, the theaters are not getting enough Nepalese films. On the other hand, 100-150 films come every year from Bollywood. However, the people’s perception of Bollywood films has changed. That’s why theaters are not getting enough films to screen.

Many modern theaters are coming up in the country, particularly in Kathmandu. However, the technology of filmmaking in Nepal remains more or less unchanged. This effectively nullifies the technological jump made by the theaters. How do you look at this?

This is a very relevant issue. The trend here is that when we shoot a film in 16 mm, it is blown up to 35 mm. Then again, it is blown up to 70 mm for screening in cinemascope theaters. This process of blowing up results in the deterioration of quality. We do not have technical equipment. More importantly, we lack technical expertise. Besides, shooting on a wider screen is expensive. But we are doing our best. As far as the modern film theaters are concerned, they are built keeping in mind not only Nepalese but also Hindi and English films, whose technical excellence is unmatched. Hindi films, these days, have larger overseas market. They are screened in 50 to 53 countries. They spend more on shooting a single song sequence than we do on an entire film. They make a film with a budget of Rs 600 million whereas we make a film for Rs 6 million. Naturally, we don’t have the equipment, technology and manpower to compete with them. Even so, we have been making Nepalese films and producers are thinking of ways to upgrade the technology. One Nepalese film, called "Maili", was made on 35 mm last year. Hopefully, with the expansion of market, we will be able to improve our technology.

How big is the market for Nepalese films?

The market of the film sector can be judged when it comes up with hit movies. When we look at the market, we see what is the highest point of trade/profit. Last year, a few films like "Darpan Chhaya", "Tan Ta Sarai Bigris Ni Badri" did extraordinary business. "Darpan Chhaya" did business worth nearly Rs 30 million all over Nepal. "Tan ta..." grossed an equal amount. The production cost of "Darpan.." was between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 3 million, whereas that of "Tan ta.." was between Rs 5 million and Rs 6 million. They were big hits. This is the analysis of hall owners. But we also see films produced at a similar cost struggling to recover even a million rupees. This is a public-oriented market. On average, the business of Nepalese films lie in the range of Rs 7 million to Rs 8 million. They collect half the money from Kathmandu valley and rest from around the country. Their average cost ranges between Rs 4 million and Rs 6 million. While some major hits collect big amounts, most of the films — about half of them — fail to recover even Rs 2 million.

You mentioned that following the Hrithik Roshan episode last year, the market for Hindi film has shrunk further. Could you elaborate?

Although I was the main victim of the episode (I lost about Rs 7 million in damage to my theater), it seems that after the event there has been a surge in sentiment among Nepalese people. Though it later appeared that the person in question had not said the things attributed to him, the people developed strong sentiments. This coincided with the time when Nepalese films were developing both in quality as well as quantity. Besides, after that event, the import of films, too, decreased by certain extent. All this made for an environment that helped Nepalese films thrive. In fact, it is not only one reason, but a combination of all the ones I mentioned earlier that helped in expanding the market for Nepalese films.

There was some conflict among hall-owners and film producers a few years ago regarding the issue of screening Nepalese films. What is going on in this front at present?

Today theater owners are demanding more Nepalese films, while producers are unable bring out enough films. In the past, producers had to wait in queue to release their films in a particular theater. This is not so today. In fact, Nepalese films are being released simultaneously. But still, the number of Nepalese films is not enough to meet the requirement of halls. The situation has reversed.

The number of new theaters, too, has increased. How do you look at it?

This is a natural development. With the increase in the market, these changes are inevitable.

Recently, two Nepalese television channels, NTV and Channel Nepal, have gone on satellite transmission. How could Nepal’s film sector stand to gain in terms of supplying programs?

We should be able to get benefits. It is up to them to make an analysis on how economical it would be for them to develop their own programs. In fact, they are already buying film rights from producers. I have not sold any of my films yet. But I have found many Nepalese producers selling their films outright for Rs 300,000 and more.

You recently organized a British Film Festival in your theater. How do you see the market for English films?

At present, the English films, whether British or from Hollywood, are not coming to Nepal through official channels. In most cases, the films hit the Nepalese screens illegally. They are mostly bought from Indian distributors who are allowed to distribute only in India. I have found that foreign producers are now thinking of selling English films in Nepal legally. The US and British embassies are also getting active about this. A British Film Festival was organized recently and an American Film Festival is in the pipeline. They are doing their homework. Maybe it is in this very context that I have been invited by the British government to participate in an interaction program in October in London to observe the latest technology in this field and find ways of promoting British films here. I feel that given the expanding market for English and Hindi films, if we , too, had modern technology, we could penetrate that market. In fact, "Caravan" is a clear example of how we can succeed in the category of foreign-language films. It shows we can make films based on our issues and gain name and fame in the international arena.

How is the market for Nepalese films among the Nepalese living abroad?

We are cashing in on the overseas market. Last year, I screened my film "Mato Bolchha" in the United States. Ashok Sharma has done the same and Kiran KC is taking his film soon. It is the Nepalese who see our films so we have a market wherever they are. In India, we have a good market. We have markets not only in Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan — where there are large Nepali-speaking communities — but also in big cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Our films are screened for two to three weeks there. We also have a market in Hong Kong. Fifteen years ago, I had sent my film "Kusume Rumal" for screening in Hong Kong and I earned nearly 80,000 HK dollars then. Of late, we are feeling the brunt of piracy. Even before we take our films, pirated cassettes and CDs flood the market. This is becoming a big problem. I heard that Karishma’s "Dhukdhuki" did business worth nearly one million rupees when she took it to the United States last year.

There are accusations that Nepalese films are replete with vulgar scenes and producers are encouraging such films for quick money. What do you say?

I will tell you one interesting thing that I have found. Women are the primary audience of our films. Any film that clicks with our female audience has made it big. The ones rejected by them have flopped miserably. As such, you will find that only clean films that can be viewed comfortably by a family have become hits. The ones that give adequate representation to the women’s point of view have clicked. I believe that no producers, who have already burnt their fingers by making films with vulgar scenes, will repeat the act. I cannot say what the newcomers will do, but a professional and serious film-maker who makes films only after thoroughly studying the market trend will not engage in such acts.

‘Nepal Should Sign Global Convention On Refugees’

—MICHEL JACQUES DUPOZAT

MICHEL JACQUES DUPOZAT, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR), has been in Nepal for the last two years. Nepal has a large number of refugees, including those from Tibet and Bhutan, which the UNHCR has been able to serve competently. A French citizen, Dupozat spoke to KESHAB POUDEL at his office on the eve of the latest ministerial meeting between Nepal and Bhutan. Excerpts:

How do you evaluate the role of UNHCR in Nepal?

In Nepal and elsewhere, UNHCR, which was created 51 years ago by the General Assembly of the United Nations, is a humanitarian and non-political agency devoted to protecting and assisting refugees worldwide. According to its Statute, UNHCR has two main functions: to provide "international protection" and seek "permanent solutions" to the problem of refugees by assisting governments to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees, or their assimilation within national communities.

At a time when the verification process of Bhutanese refugees is going on, what is the position of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal?

His Majesty's Government of Nepal has provided asylum to Bhutanese refugees who have arrived in Nepal since the early 1990s. In pursuit of a durable solution to this problem, the governments of Nepal and Bhutan have held 10 bilateral meetings. In December 2000, they agreed to establish a Joint Verification Team (JVT). Although the agreement precludes a specific role for UNHCR, both countries have welcomed its expertise and support to facilitate the ongoing verification process.

How many people have the status of refugees in Nepal?

Currently, some 99,000 refugees from Bhutan are accommodated and assisted in seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal. His Majesty's Government of Nepal has also granted refugee status to some 20,000 Tibetans who had arrived in Nepal before January 1, 1990. They are living on their own in settlements in different districts of the country.

What programs do you have for Tibetan refugees and what is the rate of arrival?

UNHCR facilitates the onward movement of new arrivals to a third country. There is no fixed arrival ratio. Recently, there have been approximately 50 new arrivals per month.

How does UNHCR support refugees in Nepal?

UNHCR provides Bhutanese refugees in the camps with basic assistance such as food, shelter, medical care and education. Since Bhutanese refugees are not allowed to work, they depend on international humanitarian aid provided by UNHCR, World Food Program and other agencies operating in Jhapa and Morang districts. Their active participation in the day-to-day administration of the camps has contributed to making UNHCR's programs more cost effective. While in transit in Nepal, newly arrived Tibetans receive temporary assistance in the form of food, shelter, health care and transportation.

What are the main challenges refugees face in Nepal?

Within its international protection function, UNHCR tries to ensure that no refugee is returned involuntarily to a country where he or she has reasons to fear persecution. It also promotes accession to the basic international instruments on refugees. Nepal is not yet a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which has been ratified to date by 140 countries. UNHCR continues to encourage the government of Nepal to sign that convention or, as an interim measure, adopt national legislation on refugees.

How long will UNHCR continue to support Bhutanese refugees?

Though it is too early at this stage to state any timeframe, UNHCR will continue its assistance to Bhutanese refugees in the camps until such time as a durable solution (voluntary repatriation or another long-term solution) is found to this longstanding humanitarian issue. However, since the work of UNHCR is financed almost exclusively by voluntary contributions from governments, donor countries expect durable solutions to be agreed upon and implemented by the two governments as soon as possible.

Have you seen any change in the Bhutanese government’s stand after the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to Thimphu last year?

Definitely. The agreement reached in December 2000 by the Nepalese and Bhutanese governments is a positive example. The refugees themselves recognize that the task achieved so far by the JVT is encouraging. Moreover, the work accomplished by JVT during the last 20 weeks will allow the forthcoming 11th Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting in Thimphu to improve the ongoing procedure and accelerate its pace. From the meeting, refugees also expect to be better informed about repatriation modalities for those accepted back in Bhutan once all interviews have been completed in Khudunabari camp. UNHCR will continue to offer to play a facilitator’s role and its expertise at any stage of the joint verification process.