HOMEMADE MOVIES

Nepali film industry has aged more than 40 years since its birth, yet time and again, we content that the industry is its infancy. The history of cinema in Nepal dates back to 2008 B.S. when the first Nepali feature film titled Satya Harishchandra was brought out from Kolkata, India. It was directed by D.B Parihayar. (There is still some doubt if the film was in Nepal language or it was dubbed.)

Aama was of course the first Nepal film produced in Nepal in 2012 B.S., by the government’s information department. Shiva Shankar Manandhar (renowned radio singer and music composer) and Bhuwan Thapa (theatre artist) debuted as lead actors in the movie.

With the objective of provide healthy entertainment to the Nepali people, the government established the Royal Nepal Film Corporation (RNFC) in 2028 B.S. RNFC, it was hoped, would produce films to displace foreign movies so that Nepali people would in time love their own movies. It was also the first effort towards establishing Nepali film industry.

With Yadav Kharel as its chairman and produced "Mann ko Bandh in 2028 B.S. Directed by Prakash Thapa, it was first screened on Falgun 8, 2030 B.S. and. In 2034 B.S. Kumari, the first Eastman colour feature film was released under the direction of Prem Kumar Basnet.

Later on, government turned over (RNFC) into private hands, rechristening Nepal Film Development Company (NFDC) on December 7, 1993. NFDC board was held in June 29, 2000 and Yadav Kharel was again appointed the chairman. NFDC would formulate plans and programmes for the development of film industry.  

Despite the long history, Nepal films are still not up to the mark. The reasons are many. For such deliberations is the quality of the films, which is not up to mark. For technical precision, the technical crew must be equipped with sophisticated gadget and sound technical know-how, both of which are lacking in our country. The small market which restrains heavy investments and does not allow  operation of  modern equipments, nor is there any institute to train technicians. Considering the limited market, no producer wants to invest in film. That is why the quality of films is not up to the mark as compare to films produced in India or other developed movie markets.  

(This article was published in The Kathmandu in November 30, 2009)