Actresses Lost in Mainstream

Exclusive | Chadani Dixit | February 9, 2010 at 1:57 pm

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In about four decade of the journey of Nepali film, many actresses have touched the height of popularity. While some used their popularity to secure career in some other field, some lost from screen after their nuptial. Those countable ones, who kept on working in this field, couldn’t maintain their popularity for so long.

Even when the actresses touched the headway point, they could not escort the film industry, let alone the carrying on their progress. Last decade was the era of Rajesh Hamal who influenced this industry immensely. Audiences didn’t give their attention on the subject matter, technology and overall quality of the film; they just want screen presence of Rajesh Hamal. Almost same kind of time has come for actor Nikhil Uprety whose appearance is unavoidable to uplift the dwindling film industry.

Cinema in Nepal mainly focuses on story of early marriage, widow, and struggle after the husband’s departure to the foreign land, sexual exploitation, etc. The role of the female character is challenging and important according to the story. But actress never gets the central role in the movie. Its always the Hero like Rajesh Hamal, Nikhil who is always needed to help out the female victim in the movie.

According to Narayan Puri, the director, the whole film industry shouldn’t follow any particular character. In his understanding it is quite common for the equal popularity of the actresses. Dr. Pradip Bhattarai, the first PHD in Nepali film states that even in Bollywood the influence of the actress is almost the same. In fact in the case of the actresses, physical attraction, glamour and glamorous presentation, along with the personal relationship with the directors and marriage make the difference in their popularity.

Bhuwan Chand, who played in the first Nepali film, Aama was hardly been seen after couple of films. Mala Singha, the Bollywood film actress played in the film Maitighar and achieved popularity but vanished later. After that actresses like Sharmila Malla, Gauri Malla, and the like became bit active while Sharmila Malla who played in Kanchhi, Santan, Chino, Basudev, Ke Ghar Ke Dera is still continuing in the film sector. Even Gauri Malla is still lingering in the acting field.

The business of Nepali film was flourished in the early 90s out of which some actresses like Karisma Manandhar, Rupa Rana, Kristi Mainali, Mausami Malla, Tripti K.C., etc could get larger advantage. Karisma Manandhar remained far from the screen after she departed for America but on her homecoming she acted in “Papimanchhe” placed her name as a long lasting actress in the industry. Kristi departed from films and nation after her marriage to USA. Rupa Rana, who had remained under the shadow for so long is now appearing in the tele-serials. On the other hand actresses like Saranga Shrestha and Bina Budhathoki couldn’t continue in this colorful world.

For some years now, female artists like Jal Shah, Bipana Thapa and Niruta Singh emerged as the parellel competition. In this competitive struggle, leaving behind her counterparts, Rekha Thapa, a married actress came up to the screen. Popular for her glamorous performance, she claims that her sensational presentation is the demand of time. Likewise actresses like Melina Manandhar, Sajja Mainali, Arunima Lamsal, and Rejina Uprety are also appearing in the screen as a minor or major role player.