Musicians Venture into Film Production in Nepal

Kathmandu. The colorful world of Nepali cinema has always attracted people from various fields. Along with the commercial success of films, creators from the music sector have also started directly engaging in film production.

The film sector is not a new medium for singers and musicians; their role in breathing life into films through music is no longer limited to just vocals and tunes. They are now appearing in roles of acting, writing, directing, raising investment, and leading the overall film production process (as producers). Some of the famous singers and musicians who have ventured into film production are as follows.

Narayan Rayamajhi:

Senior folk-duet singer Narayan Rayamajhi has also been active in film production and direction in recent times. Rayamajhi, a singer of many hit songs including 'Malai Samjhi Relimai (Kargil)', 'Phulbutte Choli Ma', 'Rampul Tarne Bittikai', 'Gharma Baini Jai', 'Kalo Kesma Rato Ribbon', 'Pasina le Paisa Satere', 'Maya Paicho Na Deu Saili', 'Laichhau Besan', 'Namuchhe Aama Dahima Tika', 'Haser Bolideu Maya', 'Sannani le Jhukkayo Malai', was involved in the film 'Gorkha Paltan'.

The film, released in 2067 BS, featured actors like Prashant Tamang, Ranjita Gurung, and Sonia Chhetri. Rayamajhi, who has produced and directed three films so far, his second film was 'Pardeshi' starring Prashant Tamang and Rajani KC, and the third film was 'Pardeshi 2' starring Prakash Saput, Dilip Rayamajhi, Prashant Tamang, and Keki Adhikari. All three of Rayamajhi's films have been box office hits.

Jayananda Lama:

Late folk singer Jayananda Lama was also an artist, film director, and producer. Lama, who gave many folk songs like 'Chui Chui Chuine Jutta', 'Kalkatte Kaiyo', 'Mulako Chana', had produced the films 'Maya Garchhu Ma' and 'Karma ko Phal'.

He was also the writer and director of the films. The films 'Maya Garchhu Ma', starring Ramesh Upreti and actress Jharana Bajracharya in the lead roles, and 'Karma ko Phal' were not commercially successful. He graduated in music from Lalit Kala Campus and completed his post-graduation from Allahabad, India. He was found dead in front of his house in Kaushaltar, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1, Bhaktapur in 2078 BS.

Shambhujit Baskota:

Shambhujit Baskota is the most popular and successful musician in Nepali film music. Whether it is film, light music, or modern music, his songs have written a golden chapter in the musical sky. Many songs like 'Timro Tyo Hansilo Muhar Ko Jhhalko Jab Aauchha.....', 'Timile Bhaneka Sara Dev Chhoyer', 'Parkhi Base Aaula Bhani...', 'Fewatal Ko Aangan Ma Lai Lai ...' or the film song 'Achha Lekin London Ko Chiso Le' are hits.

Baskota became a producer with the film 'Chauka Dau' released a few years ago. The film, starring Barsha Raut, Wilson Bikram, among others, was not successful at the box office. He is currently preparing to produce a new film 'Tasidelak: A Way to Heaven'. Earlier, there was also talk of Baskota making 'Mahagathbandhan' with actor Nikhil Upreti.  

Udit Narayan Jha:

Udit Narayan Jha, who has sung playback in Hindi, Maithili, Nepal Bhasha, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Assamese, and Sindhi language films, has sung over 25,000 songs in about 32 languages so far. Jha, a singer of many hit Nepali songs including 'Najaau Najaau', 'Chiso Chiso Haawale', 'Banamara le Banai Khayo', 'Kahil Timro Pachhyauri Ma Aljhie', had produced a film called 'Pirati'.

He also acted in the film. The film, which also featured Gauri Malla, Shanti Maskey, and Subhadra Adhikari, was produced under the banner of 'Dharma Films Pvt. Ltd.', directed by Chandra Prakash Ghimire.

Arjun Kumar:

Arjun Kumar, known as a singer and musician, became a film producer with the film 'Chapali Height'. The film, directed by Dipendra K. Khanaal and starring Binita Baral, Amir Gautam, and Raj Ghimire, created a stir at the time with its glamorous scenes. After that, in 2070 BS, he made 'Fitkiri' with Sougat Malla and Diya Maskey, followed by 'Chapali Height 2'. In 2017, he produced 'Phateko Jutta', and in 2019, 'Chapali Height 3'. He faced some failures in his productions. His latest production was the film 'Sano Sansar', released in 2081 BS. The film, produced and directed by Arjun Kumar himself, featured new actors Sita Devi Timilsena, Raj Pangeni Sharma, Anu Dahal, among others.

Yash Kumar:

Singer and musician Yash Kumar became a film producer after being an actor. Yash Kumar, a singer of many hit songs including 'Ma Kahile Hasheko Chhu', 'Birano Yo Mandirma', 'Hijo Arkaisanga', 'Ma Afnai Inar Banaunchhu', 'Maile Bhulna Timilai', has produced three films. The films he produced are 'Bato Muniko Phool', 'Bato Muniko Phool 2', and 'Chhiring'.

'Bato Muniko Phool', starring Yash Kumar, Babu Bogati, and Rekha Thapa, is considered a box office success. After that, 'Bato Muniko Phool 2', starring Dilip Rayamajhi, Yash Kumar, and Babu Bogati, was unsuccessful. Recently, Yash Kumar directed and produced 'Chhiring'.  

Prakash Saput:

Singer Prakash Saput became a film producer after being a singer, musician, model, and actor. He is adept at raising social and political awareness through music. His songs like 'Galbandi', 'Timro Mayale Malai Pir Diyo', 'Kura Bujhna Parchha', 'Sakambari', 'Damai Maharaj' are considered popular.

He debuted as an actor in Narayan Rayamajhi's production-directed film 'Pardeshi 2' and also acted in the commercial film 'Purnabahadur Ko Sarangi'. He became a producer-director with the film 'Basanta', released last year, but as the saying goes, his first attempt was a stone; the film was a failure. 'Basanta' did not even make a splash at the box office. He has not made a new film since 'Basanta'.

Ramkrishna Dhakal:

Popular singer Ramkrishna Dhakal recently became a film producer with the released film 'Malati Mangale'. The film 'Malati Mangale', starring Bijay Baral, Maxam Gaudel, and Barsha Raut, dealt with family and social themes. The film, released on the 25th of Baisakh, could only gross over 51 lakh 76 thousand at the box office. Dhakal had also acted in a film called 'Ashirwad' a long time ago.

Arjun Pokharel:

Arjun Pokharel is a musician who has established himself in film and modern music. Pokharel, who is also a singer, has helped many films become box office hits with his music. Arjun started his career in film music by composing the title song 'Chhutchha Ki Saath' for the film 'Dilmaya' and 'Sunchhu Timile Malai'. His composed songs 'Timro Yo Pal', 'Bhanchhu Aaja Man Ko Kura', 'Kina Aajkal', 'Rahar Chha Sangai', 'Timro Gharko Paripari', 'Ma Yesto Geet Gaauchhu', and many others are highly popular.

Pokharel, who has also given many hit songs in modern music, has been a preferred musician for filmmakers and singers for a long time. Pokharel, who has also lent his voice to many songs, has recently produced the film 'Behuli'. The film, starring Paras Bam Thakuri (Coolboy), Divya Rayamajhi, and Sushant Karki, is set to be released on the 12th of Bhadra.