National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

“The Market Is Really Down”

— Nirmal Sharma

Nirmal Sharma is the producer-cum-actor. Sharma has produced ‘Angarakshak’ last year and ‘Jetho-Kanchho’ this year. A member of the Nepal Film Producers’ Association, Sharma is disappointed over the sudden downfall in the film market. That is one reason why he is holding up the screening of the film ‘Angarakshak’ in Kathmandu Valley yet although it was reasonably successful outside the valley. Sharma also produces as well as acts in the popular comedy serial ‘Teeto Satya’which is being telecast in the Nepal Television every Thursday night. Sharma spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on various aspects relating to the film sector. Excerpts:

How do you find the current situation of Nepalese film industry?

It has really gone down. The market seems to have simply collapsed. Take for instance the sharp decline of film market inside Kathmandu Valley. Earlier, good films collected, on average Rs 18-20 lakh from valley alone. Super hit ones even bagged Rs 80-90 lakh from here. But now a film can hardly collect Rs 3 lakh from valley. The frequency of film-shooting has dropped considerably. In the year 2059 (2001/2002), over 45 films were released. But in the year 2060 (2002/2003) less than a dozen were released. The FM radios which used to play Top Ten film songs earlier have now began to play Top Five songs because of the lack of films. I had released my film ‘Angarakshak’ (which translates as Bodyguard) in 2059 outside Kathmandu Valley. But I have not been able to release it inside valley owing to the collapse of market, among other reasons. My another film ‘Jetho Kanchho’ is already complete but is yet to be released. Recently, there was a good film called ‘Subhakamana’ that had released in Kathmandu. Everybody hoped it would succeed but it failed. So, producers and other film entrepreneurs are really worried these days.

It is said that there is a lack of quality films and films based purely on Nepali life. What do you say?

Definitely, we do not make much quality films. But the charges that films are not based on Nepali life are misplaced. It is the cine journalists who are the ones to level such charges. No film can be made without inspiration. I do not think being inspired is like cheating. Besides, there is no commercial market for films based on local stories. You have to make good entertaining films that are liked by all and sundry. Otherwise, you will end up making films that grab this or that award from here and there and no more.

What do you think of the airing of different Television channels?

That has been very good for people like us. Many film artistes and entrepreneurs have switched to television, as there is no fear of hit or flop in the small screen. Many channels have been airing the film songs free of cost. In fact, Nepal Television gives Rs 7000 per song (to buy right of telecast) to us on barter basis. It airs film promos. Currently, a leading film musician Shambhujeet Baskota has been appointed as a board member of NTV. He has really promoted film-based programs in NTV and is shortly organizing a big NTV Film Awards. Channel Nepal and Nepal One also have been very helpful. All in all, the new private television channels have positively contributed to Nepalese film industry.

What is the major problem of the film industry here?

Although the Nepalese cinema sector has been declared as an industry, there are hardly many people involved here who are educated and professionally committed. We can find artistes organizing demonstrations. Even small incidents are blown out of proportion and the name of the whole industry is dragged to such scandals. The personal lives of some artistes are view vis-à-vis the whole industry. Recently, when Karishma Manandhar went to the United States, there was wide scale media reports that she left for good because her film flopped. That may not be the case. People need breaks and she, too, has gone there in holiday mood. This is an industry where, till two years ago, 50 films were produced every year. That means if the films were made on average invest of Rs 40 lakh, the total industry turnover would be around Rs 200 million. Around 15-20 thousand people are directly employed by this sector.

Are the producers thinking of any new moves to rescue the industry?

Well, the association is planning to reduce the cost of production of films. There is a strategy to complete prints of three films at the cost of Rs 22 lakh. It is hoped that if the film collects Rs 15-20 lakh from outside the valley and Rs 5 lakh from the valley coupled with profits from audio sales, it will be successful. But I have a reservation here. Until and unless, films are good, mere reduction in cost of production may not help. There is a fear that quality may be compromised in a bid to reduce cost.

“Producers Are Taken Aback By The Situation”

— Deshbhakta Khanal

Deshbhakta Khanal is one of the leading directors. His film ‘Pinjada’ was a major hit a couple of years ago. He has already directed a number of films like ‘Man Mero Mandaina’, ‘Santan Tharitharika’ and ‘Bazee’ (nearing completion). Khanal is a veteran artiste and has acted as well as directed scores of tele-films. He spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on contemporary issues of film industry. Excerpts:

Do you think the film industry is doing very badly these days?

That is true. Just as the national economy is in recession, the film sector, too, is faring very badly. Compared to the last year, the film sector declined by whopping 80 percent this year if you look at the number of films released. There are various other reasons that have contributed to this situation. Apart from economic recession, there is a widespread insecurity. The movements are restricted and few people visit film halls. Night-shows are running mostly in empty theaters. People are not in a mood for entertainment these days. Then, there are also comments about the poor quality and script of Nepalese films. That may be also true. Even then, if films are made well, there are still possibilities of profit. Basically the high budget films (with budget exceeding Rs 52 lakh) are hard placed while low budget one (with budget below Rs 35 lakh) can succeed. As a result, the producers are taken aback and are extremely wary. Hence, lesser investment and few films this year.

Do you think there is a need for films based on local stories?

Well, it is necessary that the stories are suited to the Nepali life. There are diverse culture and ethnicity in our country. So, one has to be very careful in choosing a particular story. Such local stories have to be treated well with matching screenplay in appropriate locations. Only then can they become successful. It would be ridiculous if you end up shooting a song sequence of Sherpa story with the actors dancing clad in jeans pants.

What are your views on the government policy?

The policies of the government vis-à-vis Nepalese films are largely complimentary. It has made Nepalese films tax-free and other facilities are also there. However, film entrepreneurs have to be very careful in the days ahead when WTO and SAFTA will mean that the entertainment sector will have to be opened up for all – domestic or foreign products. We have to brace ourselves for the future competition. To do that, we will have to concentrate on our competitive advantages and start making films based on local stories.

What do you think of the technical and professional manpower here?

Well, we do lack adequate technical manpower here. Many times, we have to take our films for refinement. Many studios have begun to come up here also. That is a good thing. Still, the film sector has not developed so much as to lure career-minded people. The emergence of television channels has helped a lot. Artistes can get on-the-job training by working in small screens. Besides, it has also provided employment opportunities to many artistes.

“We’ve Got To Concentrate On Quality Films”

— Navin Subba

Navin Subba is the director of critically-acclaimed ‘Numa Fung’ – a film based on Limbu story, which is currently being screened in Kathmandu theaters. Subba has won a number of international awards and has taken part in a number of film festivals abroad. He spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on issues facing Nepalese film industry. Excerpts:

How is the film sector at present?

The sector is waiting to be hit by the proverbial last nail of the coffin. I think there are three main reasons for this. One is the state of our country. Second is the poor quality of films and third is the growing tendency of viewing films on VCDs, TVs.

What do you think about the quality of Nepalese films?

Rather than being inspired, most films are blatant copy of foreign, particularly Indian, films. You cannot compete by copying mega-budget Bollywood films, which are equally accessible to your audiences.

So, what is the way out?

We’ve got to concentrate on quality and native stories. After a couple of years, Nepal will have to open film sector due to provisions of WTO and SAFTA. If you cannot compete, you will perish. Since, we cannot compete with foreign films on budget and technical know-how, we have to focus on native stories. Then, we have to go for market expansion. Right now, 15 percent of people in Nepal live in urban areas. Among them, only three percent watch movies in theaters. We have to increase this segment of population. Then, we can also take advantage of upward globalization. My film ‘Numa Fung’ has shown a way. Currently, a big French distributor called ‘Trigen Films” (which had also distributed the Indian blockbuster Lagaan) is distributing ‘Numa Fung’ in European countries. I am very hopeful that this film will also be successful in Kathmandu valley.

Is there a possibility to expand the market?

Definitely, there is. We cannot remain limited to the present market if we are to prosper. We have to look for unique stories that have possibilities for commercial exploitation. We also have to look into the technical sector.