Comedian Marichman Shrestha 'Balchhi Dhurbe' Realizes Lifelong Dream with Big Screen Debut in 'Gobar Ganesh'

Oh! How wonderful it would be to see myself on such a big screen?

This is what he always felt when visiting a movie theater as a child. Seeing characters running on the white screen inside the dark hall, he used to think, 'One day, I too will shine on this screen just like that.' The dream he saw nearly two decades ago has now turned into reality. The young man who used to sit in the corner of the hall, fixing his eyes on the screen, is now running on screen himself. The film 'Gobar Ganesh' is what brought him to the screen. He is Marichman Shrestha, also known as 'Balchhi Dhurbe'.

Having moved to the city from a simple village background, he has been shining on the small screen for the past 15 years. Recently successful in making everyone laugh by reaching every home through 'Halka Ramailo' and 'Juthe', his first film as a lead hero, 'Gobar Ganesh', is currently showing. In the film, he is shining by playing the titular role of 'Gobar Ganesh'.

Shrestha states that his journey to becoming a film hero is the result of decades of hard work. 'I was a big fan of Nepali cinema since childhood. As soon as a new film was released, I would rush to the theater. But every time I watched a film, one thought kept running through my mind: When will the day come when I see myself on this big screen?' he says, his eyes filling with tears, 'This desire wasn't just for one or two years; it was a continuous yearning for nearly 20-22 years. The feeling of watching oneself with many people in a theater is a different kind of celebration compared to watching on TV.'

He admits he was nervous about debuting on the big screen. 'Even while talking to you now, my heart is pounding. I am just an ordinary artist; the fear of how people will accept me always remains,' he says.

Some people have also questioned him, 'Did he become the hero in the film because they couldn't find one?' 'The story of my film does not require a big star; the story itself is the hero,' he replies, 'That's why I played the role of the hero myself.' He adds that all the characters in the film are heroes to him.

He did not make the film just to fulfill his dream. Another objective is to give good cinema to the audience. He evaluates himself as successful in that regard. 'I am getting wonderful feedback. The reaction is positive. Everyone who has watched it has said nothing bad,' he says. He believes the film has garnered audience interest because it tells the story of a mother's sacrifice for her children.

'When the audience leaves the cinema hall, their eyes appear teary. The audience laughs a lot in the first half. But by the second half, there is weeping in the hall,' he says. 'Many mothers have hugged me and cried, saying, 'Son, you showed our story.' He states that his film provides a message about responsibility and respect towards parents, not just entertainment.

In the film, he is not only the actor but also the writer and director. Marichman, who has been making the audience laugh on the small screen for 15 years, has now ventured into film direction. 'I feel that when the person who writes the story also directs it, the essence of the story comes across 100 percent. That's why I sat in the director's chair to do justice to this story,' he explains the reason for becoming a director.

'I am an ordinary artist. The audience has been loving me for 15 years, from being a spot boy on the small screen to an artist. Why not try the big screen once?' he says.

Dream of an Award on the International Stage

Becoming an artist has been Marichman's dream since childhood. While studying at Srijana Thuti Secondary School in Dhading, he participated in various school programs. Growing up in a Newar settlement, he wove the dream of becoming an artist while acting in Gaijatra and local club programs. After achieving first place in an acting competition at school in the ninth grade, his teachers and family advised him to study fine arts in Kathmandu.

After coming to Kathmandu, he first entered the film industry by working as a spot boy. Then he learned music and acting. Influenced by telefilms like 'Tito Satya', 'Meri Bassai', and 'Jire Khursani', Marichman entered acting through 'Meri Bassai'. The character he played in it, 'Balchhi Dhurbe,' was greatly loved by the audience.

Established in artistry through that, Marichman is better known by his character name 'Balchhi Dhurbe' than his real name. Having fulfilled his dream of becoming an artist, his next dream is to stand on an international stage and receive an award for his country. 'One dream has been fulfilled: shining on the big screen,' he shares. 'I have a great desire. Someday, I want to stand on an international stage wearing Nepal's national dress, the Daura-Suruwal and Dhaka Topi, and receive an award for my country.'