Senior Artist Nisha Sharma Returns to Films After 30 Years, Discusses New Movie 'Ek Muthi Badal' and Past Role
Nisha Sharma is a senior artist of Nepali stage. Sharma, who has been presenting her lively acting on the theater stage for decades, recently appeared in a powerful role in 'Akshata' at the Tri-National Theater Festival. Although continuously active in theater, she was absent from the film screen for a long time. Previously seen in the film 'Paribhasha', she is making a comeback after 30 years with 'Ek Muthi Badal'. She is filled with unique enthusiasm and happiness to be able to return to the audience through this film, which is set to be released on Friday. She is the former Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. She was removed from the post of Vice-Chancellor following the government's recent decision regarding the dismissal of public officials. She is not personally disturbed or saddened by having to leave her post before her term ended. However, she has a complaint about the government's working style. Her grievance is that a person working in a responsible position was dismissed without even the minimum courtesy or an opportunity for explanation. This is an edited excerpt of the conversation Ratopati had with actress Sharma:
I wasn't entirely away from films, but I didn't get any work that satisfied me. Offers for films were constantly coming. Sometimes the script wasn't liked, sometimes the director's working style didn't match. I also tend to be selective about my work. In between, there was talk of working on a film called 'Pani Photo', but I had to leave that project due to health reasons. The main thing is, I was looking for a role where my acting would be valued and the audience would gain something, which I found in 'Ek Muthi Badal'. That's why I worked in a film after about 30 years.
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I am new to the Gen Z generation, and I wonder how they will perceive me and my acting. There have been huge technological changes. In the past, we had to carry around a 'boom' (sound recorder), but now everything is modern and easy. The technology is very fast now. Similarly, the working style has also matured. Films used to be made based on experience, but today's young directors have come after studying and researching. Maturity is evident in the directors' work.
- In the film, I am in the role of a 'mother'. The interesting thing is that the characters in this film do not have specific names, but are named based on relationships. For example: eldest daughter, middle daughter, youngest daughter, son-in-law. I am presented as the mother of all of them. This is the role of a strong mother. It is generally said that fathers build the physical structure of the house, but it is the mother's job to bind that house with love, affection, and emotion to make it a 'true home'. The mother in this film has managed her family in the same way.
- For a long time, I felt that if I appeared in a film, it should be something special. After meeting the film's producer Samipyraj Timilsina and director Sahara Sharma and hearing the film's concept and story, I really liked it. 'Ek Muthi Badal' is not just a commercial song and dance film, it is a serious 'art movie'. It closely depicts the family story of our society. As I am a theater person, it is difficult for me to work without being touched by the subject matter. This film gave me that satisfaction.
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- The title is very symbolic. People's dreams are like clouds, constantly changing shape and color. We dream, but they don't always come true. To me, dreams are like apricot blossoms—how beautiful they look when they bloom, but a gust of wind scatters them all to the ground. Clouds look vast but don't fit in a fistful. This film is also a story of such unfulfilled dreams and life's ups and downs.
- My soul resides in theater. I will continue to do theater until I die. When working in theater, an artist's emotions are not broken in the middle; they progress in a single flow. The joy of standing in front of the audience and receiving direct feedback is indescribable. In films, there are 'cuts' and 'retakes', but in theater, everything must be shown at once, which refines the artist more.
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- This is a very happy thing. Theater artists work hard and research a lot to immerse themselves in a character. They are already mature in acting. When they come to films, there is a belief that they can do justice to that character. Another thing is, there is fame, fortune, and recognition in films.
I don't see it negatively. It has become a custom in our country for political appointments to be canceled with changes in government. But my only complaint is that we were not even asked about what work we did and what plans were remaining. It would have been enough if they had given us 10 minutes to review our work. I did not become Vice-Chancellor by bribing or flattering anyone; I was given that responsibility based on my capabilities. It's not that all those appointed by previous governments were useless, uneducated, or sycophants who bribed their way in. I received a phone call saying my name had been recommended for Vice-Chancellor and I should come for the oath ceremony the next day. I was surprised. I went the next day and took the oath. I don't have the financial capacity to bribe, nor did I carry anyone's bag. It is wrong to look at everyone with the same perspective. I did a lot of good work while I was there. I had put forward many good plans.
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- There were many. Most importantly, there was a plan to build a state-of-the-art international standard theater hall at a cost of approximately 2 billion rupees with the support of the Indian Embassy. For that, a DPR of 2 million rupees was needed. I went to the ministry for three years, but I couldn't get that 2 million budget. By not spending 2 million, there was a situation of losing billions in foreign investment. It is very difficult to work when the minister does not understand art and culture. Culture is the foundation of tourism, but this is not understood here.
- I urge everyone to watch this film once. After watching this film, you will connect yourself with the characters there somewhere. It will give a special message, especially to the youth and parents. It will make us realize how we are looking at our dreams and relationships.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
