Vijay Baral's Next Big Test
Nepali actor Vijay Baral, famous for his role in "Purnabahadurko Sarangi," currently holds the record for being the lead actor in the highest-grossing Nepali film to date. His journey from playing supporting roles to becoming a film hero is a story of perseverance.
Seventeen Years of Struggle
Behind his sudden fame lies a long seventeen-year struggle in theater. Before his big break in films, he worked in many movies as a supporting actor. Vijay also has bitter memories of when his family and neighbors criticized him for pursuing theater, saying he was wasting his life. He shared that after he joined theater, he stopped taking money from home. During festivals like Dashain, he would rely on friends for transportation and even for clothes. His father once asked him to get a ring from a friend, implying that even his friend was earning a living while he was not. Society would mock him, comparing him to the established hero Rajesh Hamal. However, these challenges never deterred him from his artistic path.
The Big Break and Rise to Stardom
After performing in numerous plays, he got his break in movies. He was first noticed for his role as Dayahang Rai's friend in the film "Kabbadi," directed by Ram Babu Gurung. His performance was highly praised. While he was successfully captivating audiences in supporting roles, he got the opportunity to play the lead in "Purnabahadurko Sarangi." What happened next was beyond his expectations. The film, which he thought would do just okay, went on to earn approximately 50 crores at the Nepali box office. He credits his struggles and the support of his friends for his success today, stating that his friends now feel proud to say Vijay Baral is their friend, which he considers his greatest achievement.
The Pressure of a New Release and Future Hopes
"Purnabahadurko Sarangi" left a lasting mark on audiences, but it also added pressure for Vijay to deliver an even better performance next time. Audiences are eagerly waiting for his next film. This wait ends this Friday, on Bhadau 6, with the release of his new lead film, "Janai Haraeko Manche." Vijay is currently feeling restless, wondering if he can maintain the high standard set by his previous film or if he will fall short. For him, this film is not just another project; it is a test that could define the future direction of his career. He is busy with promotional activities to ensure its success. He considers himself lucky to have the support of media professionals and friends from the beginning, which helps him move forward. He knows that promotion alone doesn't make a film successful; he must meet the audience's expectations. He is consciously working with his team to share ideas on how to improve. His desire is not just for the film to earn a lot of money but for the audience to enjoy it and feel they have watched a good film without any regret.
A New and Different Role
In the film, he plays the character 'Sitaram,' a dreamer who meets various people and forms different relationships on his journey. Vijay says this character somewhat matches his real life, as he also came to Kathmandu with dreams, and being from the Brahmin community made it easier to connect with the role. His role in this film is the opposite of his character in "Purnabahadurko Sarangi." In that film, he played a father, but here he plays a son. He feels fortunate to get a different role after a successful film, as actors often get offers for similar characters. He explains that the film explores six different types of relationships, much like the six threads in a sacred Janai thread, which can make you laugh, cry, and reminisce about old times.
Managing Success and Selecting Projects
This is his second film as a lead actor. The responsibility of carrying the film, along with the pressure of a three-crore investment, sometimes feels heavy. However, he has focused on the character and performed his role with honesty. After the success of "Purnabahadurko Sarangi," producers and directors are lining up to offer him films. He listens to 2-4 new film stories daily. The biggest challenge for him now is choosing the right project. Reading scripts takes time, but every producer wants a quick decision. He is busy with various commitments like his work with Mandala Theatre, dubbing for other films, releases, and his personal life, making it hard to read all scripts and respond quickly. He usually listens to the story's essence and only moves forward if it touches his heart. He is happy about the many offers, as this is what he always wanted in life. However, he sometimes fears that doing too many films might make audiences feel his performances are repetitive. He also worries about whether he can do justice to every role. Amidst this pressure, he is happy. He wants every role, whether lead or supporting, to be special.
Thoughts on Stardom and Remuneration
He is afraid of the common trend in the Nepali film industry where producers and directors praise an actor when a film is a hit but blame them if it fails. He consoles himself by accepting that this is how society is, and he is ready to take it in stride, a balance he learned through his long practice in theater. Lately, there has been much discussion about the remuneration actors receive. Vijay believes this should be private. He thinks an actor should be talked about for their art, not their fees. He states that if he were primarily interested in money, he wouldn't have chosen the arts. Art gave him his name, and money only started coming later. After seventeen years of struggle, he has just begun to earn. Therefore, he wants to show his work through his actions and performances, not through discussions about his salary.
