Actress Benisha Hamal Discusses Transitioning from Film to Theater with 'Seto Dharti' Debut

Kathmandu. Benisha Hamal entered the Nepali film industry in 2012 with the movie 'Swor'. She never looked back after 'Moksha' in 2014. Since then, she has acted in over a dozen films continuously. Versatile in acting, Benisha appears intellectual.

Audiences have favored her, from playing a visually impaired character in 'Blind Rocks' to a lover girl in 'Premganj'. She was last seen in the film 'The Blue Light'. Benisha will now be seen on stage. She is making her theater debut with the play 'Seto Dharti', staged by Kantiur Film Academy. She will be seen in the main role of Tara and is currently in regular rehearsal. She shares her excitement about acting in the play. Here is an edited excerpt from the conversation with actress Benisha focusing on her film career and theater venture:

• You are debuting in theater; how are the preparations going?

Rehearsals are in full swing. I returned from Australia three or four days ago. I joined rehearsals immediately upon my return. My entire time is currently spent practicing.

• After spending a long time in film acting, why did you think of working in theater?

I always had a desire to do theater. After acting in some films, I took theater classes with Sunil Pokharel sir and Birendra Hamal sir. Although I received some offers in between, I couldn't work in theater due to other commitments or because things didn't align as I wished. Recently, after some film commitments were postponed, I got the offer for 'Seto Dharti' in the gap. This book is famous, and doing it myself would be something to be proud of. That's why I joined the play. As an artist, I always felt I must do theater at least once, sooner or later.

•  'Seto Dharti' is a famous novel. Had you read this book before?

I had read it before but left it midway; I couldn't finish it. Now that I am doing the play, I read it completely again. I found it very interesting. It is fascinating to see which aspects of the novel are focused on when adapting it into a play.

• You are playing the main character 'Tara' in the novel; how challenging is this role?

I have played various roles as an artist and I believe I can do it. As an artist, I enjoy challenging work. If I take it lightly, saying 'this is nothing compared to what I've done before,' it can go wrong. While rehearsing the play now, understanding the psychology of the character is more difficult for me than just speaking and delivering the dialogues. Currently, I am working hard to accurately capture the Pokhreli tone, dialect, and accent of the character. I have requested the director to give me time to prepare mentally first, and then you can give your instructions.

• How does it feel to internalize that story standing in today's time?

While reading the novel, I felt scared just thinking about how women were viewed by our previous generation. It felt like women were treated merely as objects, having no existence of their own. This story is a bitter reality of our society. This subject has been portrayed in some films too. But I feel it hasn't been shown as intensely as the suffering endured by women in the past. Even if this subject might not seem relevant today, as an artist, I am trying to feel the pain and the era of that time.

•  It is often said that film and theater acting are very different; what is your experience?

These two genres are completely different. There are no 'retakes' in theater. The audience sitting in the last row must clearly hear my voice, and they must believe I am Tara through my body language. It is not as easy as in film. I am rehearsing while realizing this. I am also learning a lot from the director and the experienced theater artists who will be on stage with me.

• You are giving a live performance in the play; is there more fear or excitement?

There is more excitement than fear. But one fear is that many people have already read 'Seto Dharti,' and an image of Tara has formed in their minds. I am a bit cautious about how my performance will match the audience's imagination.

• What is the reaction from your film colleagues as you appear in the play?

Everyone is very excited. They keep telling me they are eager to see me in the play. My colleagues in the play are students who are currently studying theater; they give me a lot of respect and energy. I am also receiving very good feedback and encouragement from the media and well-wishers, which gives me the strength to perform well.

• Theater is also called a school; did you feel any lack while working in films that made you dive into theater?

That's not the case. In my opinion, learning is a process that never ends. I am not ashamed to learn. I don't think age is a barrier either. I don't consider anyone smaller or bigger than me when it comes to learning. Theater is a place to learn many things, and its environment is giving me new energy. I learned a lot in films, and I am gaining new experiences in theater too.

• What message does the character 'Tara' you are playing give to today's women?

Today's women are far ahead in many respects. Today's women might not have to endure what Tara suffered back then. If we exclude some areas, I have realized during my travels that the situation of Tara still exists in many remote parts of Nepal. It is being reported in the media. The character of Tara makes us realize how fortunate we are and how to use the freedom we have gained correctly.

• After this play, will we see you regularly in theater?

I have received offers for two other plays immediately after this one. I feel that I must do at least one play a year. It is like a therapy that helps an artist refine their craft and bring novelty to it.

• It is said that theater requires more effort but yields less remuneration compared to film?

Not everything can be compared only with money. For an artist, receiving direct feedback from the audience in front of them and the feeling experienced during that one-hour performance is priceless. This is about self-satisfaction, which money cannot buy. It will contribute to the 'growth' of my acting career to some extent.