NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘It's Sad To Be Making Fun Of Leaders We Once Respected So Much’

— HARI BANSHA ACHARYA

Comedian Hari Bansha Acharya is riding high on the success of the film "Tan Ta Sarai Bigris Ni Badri" and stage drama "Shalik". The chubby half of the MaHa duo - the single most popular comic group of the country - Hari Bansha has appeared in numerous tele-serials and feature films along with his partner Madan Krishna Shrestha. Their films and stage-dramas are known for their biting satire on the political and social establishment. Acharya spoke with SANJAYA DHAKAL about his recent successes and plans at his residence in Ghattekulo last week. Excerpts:

How do you reflect on the thumping success of "Tan Ta Sarai Bigris Ni Badri"?

I am quite satisfied with the success of "..Badri" film. It is an experimental film. This film is a mixture of laughter and tears, and it sends a strong message against the prevalent exploitation of women in this male-dominated society. We tried very hard to make it an entertaining film. You can also call this film a commercial one. We have indeed mixed some formula, but not to the extent of compromising with the basic theme. But the film is not free of weaknesses. Even the films made in Bombay or Hollywood are not perfect, so it is only natural that there would be some problems with our film. I did see this film in the theater along with other audiences. I was happy to see them enjoy it. The film does not focus on comedy alone. Some scenes are full of women's sentiments that bring tears to one's eyes, too. I credit the film's success to the support of my colleagues, general audience and the media. Shortly, the film is celebrating the silver jubilee.

Do you plan to come up with more films like "... Badri"?

There are no immediate plans. But I am thinking about this. I am exploring some scripts in my mind right now. Once I decide on a particular script and once I get a favorable environment, I will definitely come up with more films. Besides, this is what I am supposed to do, isn't it?

Your recent stage-drama "Shalik" with Madan Krishna Shrestha has been critically acclaimed. What is this drama about?

The stage-drama "Shalik" is a satirical depiction of the four-decade-long political behavior in the country. During the Panchayat days, we used to lampoon the then establishment by exposing their dishonesty and fraud. The people rose up, threw out the Panchayat system, and ushered in the present democratic one. In fact, we also had been demanding change in the political establishment through our dramas back then. After nearly 11 years under the present system, we find the very leaders, on whom we had so much faith in the past, failing to deliver the goods and responsible for the dire state of the country. It is really unfortunate that in such a short time we were compelled to make fun of the very leaders we respected. We, personally, feel sad to see this day. "Shalik" was first shown on stage for 12 days in August last year. This time, too, we showed it for nine days. Still we find people requesting for more shows, which we will do in the near future.

You have been exposing the prevalent anomalies of the political and social scene for long through your comedy shows and tele-serials. How do you find the present situation of the country?

We have spilled all our feelings through "Shalik". Everybody in the country is concerned about the present situation. The only exception could be the ones who are plundering the country's resources. We are all hoping that the country would improve, it would prosper, and violence would stop so that Nepal will become a peaceful country.

From stage artiste to singer to actor, you have played different roles in life. How could you be successful in all three areas?

These all works are associated with the Nepalese culture, performing art and creativity. When you perform on stage, you have to sing and write the scripts, too. So, I do not find it difficult to be involved in all those roles you mentioned. In fact, I have multiple interests and therefore, I am happy to be doing so many things. Thankfully, I have been successful in these roles till now. If something happens and I fail to satisfy my audience then maybe I will drop doing many things. But I will continue to do all these things as long as I am appreciated.

How would you assess the situation of performing artistes in the country?

The economic situation of the country is very bad. Industries and business are slowing down. But, on the other hand, there are hopeful signs on the sector of film and performing arts. The film industry is moving well. In the beginning when we entered this sector, the situation was very bad and no one could imagine to make a living out of art. However, the professionalism in the art sector has really flourished in the last few years. For those who work hard, this sector offers a bright future, indeed.

Lately, there has been a string of overseas stage shows by Nepalese artistes. How fruitful are such shows?

We have also done a lot of stage shows abroad. I, myself, have travelled to 22/23 countries around the world in this connection. We generally show our programs to entertain the Nepalese living abroad - the people who have gone there in search of employment. There is an inaccurate view that we make lots of money by showing programs abroad. That is not so. Most of the Nepalese working abroad do not earn terribly much. The average income of Nepalese, be it here or abroad, is lower than that earned by foreigners. We have to go by air, stay in hotels and there are many other expenses. And we tag our stage-tickets with the average income of our audience. Therefore, it is not for money that we perform abroad. It's because we get the chance to travel. Regarding money, we can make more by staging a program inside Nepal. In fact, there could be the chance of earning more and helping our tourism if Nepalese artistes could come up with programs that would attract foreigners, too.

MaHa tele-serials like "Lalpurja" and "Pandhra Gate" have been very successful. But the group has stopped making tele-serials in the recent past. When are you coming on TV again?

We do make programs for television. I accept there has been a gap at present. This is because we wish that after making big efforts to produce a program, we would like to be compensated reasonably. So far, we could not make any financial gain by producing tele-serials. Take for instance the "Pandhra Gate" serial - we lost Rs 645 in the end- although it was loved by all. Likewise, we gained - after deducting other costs - a mere Rs 1,800 by making "Dashain". Yes, we did make some profit by producing sponsored telefilms like "Raat" and "Kantipur", but otherwise, it is hard to even recover the investment. Maybe we could gain if we appeared regularly on television. But it is not possible for us to be concentrated in a single medium and we cannot overlook our commitments on stage and in films. Besides, when we make programs, we have to focus on the technical quality as well. In this age of cable television, you have to compete with Zee TV and all. This needs big investment. Despite all this, we do feel that we have to make telefilms time to time as per the wishes of our audience.

You always make films, stage programs and tele-films with your partner Madan Krishna Shrestha. He was conspicuous by his absence in "..Badri". Why is that?

Well, when the script of the ì..Badriî was finalized, MaHa Sanchar (the official company of the comedian-duo) expressed unwillingness to produce it. Outsiders produced it and so Madandai did not play in the film. There are no hard feelings on either side. In fact, we believe that each of us should have certain degree of personal freedom. I must also give him the freedom to do as he likes and he, too, has been giving me that. There is no controversy in this.

When and how did you enter the field of comedy?

I joined this field thirty years ago. Ever since my school days, I used to engage in mimicry. I mimicked my teachers and made my friends laugh. I regularly took part in cultural programs where I was appreciated. Later I participated in Gaijatra festival programs. I wrote my own scripts and gave a solo performance in the festival for four years in succession - each time I was awarded with the gold medal. As the time passed by, I became increasingly involved and here I am.

How do you spend time when you are not making others laugh?

I read books, write and compose songs. I meet friends and take my family out.

How difficult is it to make somebody laugh?

It is both easy and difficult. If you work hard, you can make people laugh or cry.

How satisfied are you?

I am very satisfied. The biggest property I have is the affection of my audience. I treasure their respect and love. I am sure I could not have been as satisfied as I am now had I not joined this profession.

What would you have become had you not ended up as a comedian?

Really, I don't know. I was involved in this sector so early that I did not have any alternatives. I don't know .. maybe I would have ended up as a hoodlum or even a politician.