Actress Laxmi Bardewa Discusses New Film 'Hami Teen Bhai,' Balancing Career, and Business Ventures

Laxmi Bardewa has experience in both theater and screen. Regardless of the medium for acting, she gives her 'best.' After gaining substantial experience in theater, she embarked on her film journey. Laxmi has already left a deep impression with her acting in films like 'Loot-2,' 'Bulbul,' 'Prasad,' and 'Selfie King.'

Her recent role as the 'villain' in the recently released 'Abhimanyu' has taken her to another dimension of acting, earning her widespread acclaim. Laxmi is known as a conscious artist who is very careful about her character choices. Alongside acting, she has recently become active in business as well.

Laxmi's new film, 'Hami Teen Bhai,' is set for release this coming Friday. She plays the role of a sister-in-law (Bhaauju) in the film. Here is an edited excerpt of an interview with actress Laxmi Bardewa focusing on the film and her career:

What have you been busy with lately?

Currently, I am especially busy with my business. I am managing film acting and business simultaneously. Also, I have a young son, and giving him time at home is my priority. The days are passing while managing artistry, business, and household responsibilities. Currently, I don't have any film lined up for immediate shooting. There were talks for one or two projects, but due to some technical reasons, those are postponed for now. Since I am also associated with the 'board' of Mandala Theatre, I am dedicating some time there as well.

Your new film 'Hami Teen Bhai' is preparing for release, how is the preparation going?

Yes, the film is coming for public screening this coming Friday (Chaitra 13). Currently, all the artists, including me, and the team are actively involved in promoting the film. I am also promoting the film in various media outlets as much as I can. 'Hami Teen Bhai' is a family story, and it has turned out to be a good film. We are very hopeful that it will do well commercially.

What kind of character are you seen playing in the film?

My character (role) in this film is quite simple. It is a bit different and ordinary compared to the characters I have played so far. I am in the role of a sister-in-law (Bhaauju). This character feels like something we see and experience in our own homes and society. Anyone can easily 'relate' to this character. I feel my character has done justice to a social and family setting.

You have mostly been seen in lead heroine roles, whether main or supporting. How did you prepare to play the role of a sister-in-law in 'Hami Teen Bhai'?

This character is a first experience for me in terms of acting. In terms of relationship, this is the first time I am portraying the character of a sister-in-law. I liked the 'storytelling' of this film. It shows how a close-knit family separates due to a small reason and what the role of an understanding person is in that situation. As an artist, I feel one should not always play 'extra-ordinary' roles, but also characters that are close to society.

Can you reveal the storyline of 'Hami Teen Bhai'?

This is the story of three brothers and their families. The main theme is how a family living together in a village gets shattered due to a small ambition and a mismatch in thought processes. It is a family drama based on a contemporary subject.

You are seen as a heroine sometimes, a villain sometimes, and sometimes as a character actress. Is this your choice or coincidence?

I believe that the more diverse characters an artist can portray, the more they fulfill the duty of their artistry. I never want to be confined to the same 'stereotype' role. If one keeps doing the same type of role, an artist's career also becomes limited. I like working in different characters. For me, the impact the character has on the story is more important than whether the role is big or small. My duty is to work according to the vision of the director and writer.

The business of Nepali films has been weak lately, how do you view this?

A big problem in the Nepali film industry right now is the trend of following what is already working. The idea of only making what is successful is causing newness to disappear. We are failing to offer new genres and new tastes to the audience. Furthermore, our marketing strategy is quite outdated. Why do films that don't run in theaters succeed on YouTube? This means the audience likes the content, but the atmosphere to draw them to the theaters hasn't been created.

The political instability in the country also directly affects the entertainment sector. People only go to watch films after their basic needs are met. Our weakness lies in failing to understand the audience's desires and failing to bring the film to the right market.

Some say that films turn out bad because producers and directors are not honest, what do you say about that?

I don't think so. After investing, no one intends to make a bad film. But the problem is that our chain of command doesn't align. We still haven't managed to develop the film industry as a professional industry. Most people are running based on personal willpower alone. There is also no concrete support from the government. We are still failing in terms of working at the ground level and identifying the targeted audience.

You came to film from theater, and now many successful actresses are returning to theater, why?

This is a very positive thing. There are no boundaries in the field of art. When people from theater go into film and people from film come to theater, it strengthens artistry itself. However, the motive for coming to the theater must be clear. Some go to film for the mass audience, while others come to theater to learn. Artists need to understand both the technicalities of the camera and the live performance of the theater. The fact that veteran artists like Dayahang Rai and Sougat Malla came from theater has also increased the attraction and respect for the stage among the new generation.

You are involved in business alongside acting. Are you gradually distancing yourself from acting?

Artistry is in my blood; I can never leave it. But surviving solely on artistry is difficult in the current situation. Many artists are forced to migrate abroad. I want to do something while staying in my own country. That's why I started a business while continuing my acting career.

Business makes me financially independent, which means I don't have the compulsion to compromise and work on bad scripts. I manage my business in my free time and act when a good project comes along. Securing one's income source is the demand of the time for an artist.

It is said that there is still a problem with remuneration in the film sector, have you experienced that too?

Yes, this is a very bitter reality. I recently had to struggle a lot to receive the remuneration for one film. Producers delayed paying the money significantly. I made it very easy for them—I said they could pay in small installments, but they took my ease as weakness. They paid only after pressure was applied. It is an artist's right to receive fair value for their labor.