It's a difficult balance, listening while still preparing what question to say next but it's important. It's a feeling that comes along when taking interview with people. Today I have got talented actor/model/RJ Raaj Ballav Koirala (RBK) to talk about his new movie Apabad, his other ventures and all in all, a movie chat that all movie buffs shall love to read. Here is the Interview.
RDMAN: For those who are eagerly waiting for the movie. give me a snapshot of what's the movie Apabad is about?
RBK: Everybody wants to be himself but due to society, family formalities, obligations and pressure, they are always stereotypes. They are filled with the expectation of others like my son studies well, graduates with good grades, takes good position in office, gets married, lives his life well. Most of the living goes in the cycle but there are whole lot of thoughts in his mind beyond that. People have some thoughts, beliefs and want to fulfill his inner being, assembly of which is Apabad. It's like a person who wants to be himself.
RDMAN: How is it different from regular movies?
RBK: One thing is the subject matter of the movie, which is different. Other stuffs include mainstream commercial elements with usual contexts, songs, dress up, dialogues, presentation, money-mind that regular movies are having it, which is also different for Apabad. Initially we, as a team thought of making a movie not to earn money but want to present a good movie and people to praise our efforts no-matter what the commercial success may be. We didn't say the movie is completely different but the promo speaks itself and people can tell from the promo, poster and synopsis.
RDMAN: How often do you compare the character in your movies to yourself?
RBK: I do that actually, for me acting is not like creating a virtual world. You want to be real. For every sequences you play, you always mix it with your own experiences, emotions, you try to bring out the real. If you are able to bring out the real, then people will like it. When I was playing Apabad, I might have thought somewhere to run away from society, run away from usual life and live a lonely life. Even in Masan, Pal I have transformed myself into the character. Sometimes the story fits for you and you are judged good and be successful in portraying that character. But acting is not mathematics. Sometimes people like what you do and sometimes they are not convinced. People don't always like everything you do with the character but if people relate to their life in some dialogues, gestures then they seem to like him/her as an actor. So I do compare, being a student of acting I always look for bringing the character in my thought process and mix it with my being. you are not being yourself but if your character and yourself have some similarities then you can perform very well.
RDMAN: Have you forgotten yourself in such process and believed you to be that character?
RBK: Yeah sometimes you wake up blank, don't even know which day it is, you are hastened with where to go, which character to play and what to wear. You work hard all the day, come home tired and sleep. And another day you wake up, the same. So you have to be the character, may play some awky moments and you cannot say no. Like in Apabad I have even played scenes of peeing, and stooling moments. Once you be Suyog, and once you are in the thought process, then that's the ultimate thing you do..... you forget everything, you don't feel ashamed of the sequences you play though there are some boundaries in cinema.
RDMAN: I heard you are working on a movie project done by some foreigners(Hollywood crew?).
Highway to Dhampus? Whats the movie about? Is the shooting completed...when can we watch the movie?
RBK:Yes Nepal chapter is completed in the movie. Movie is being made under the banner of Fifty Films directed by Rick Mcfarlan. Same team was involved in making of the American Romantic Comedy My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, a movie recognized in Sun-dance Festival 2010. They wanted to make a movie based in Nepal and they were searching for an actor to play Pilot role and I got selected through auditions. Nepal and UK shooting are completed then part of Arab and America remaining for which I will be going LA. Though production house is not that big as compared to the news-makers in Hollywood, but the actors are big like the ones from Sherlock Homes, Peter Pan, Perfume. And the movie is going to release in 2013 after possible shows in some festivals which we will be submitting the movie.
RDMAN: Is the story based in Nepal?
RBK: Yeah. Its like foreigners they come to Nepal with some thoughts and people here do expect from the foreigners. The expectation of both matters mutually. That's Highway to Dhampus. I am not allowed to reveal much about the movie. So the story is about the effect of foreigners presence in the people here in Nepal and the impact of our simplicity, psychology in their life.
RDMAN: What kind of role do you think suits you as an actor?and what kind of role( that you have not done) do you want to do in upcoming movies?
RBK: I think somewhat serious role (though I do comedy acts in radio) fits me. I love to do movies with heavy story that critics keep on talking and put in archive as a study matter for future film students. People still talk about Basudev unlike seasonal comedy stuff. Such type of role I would like to do and this Suyog character is one of them. Any such serious roles, good movie, and also usual mainstream movies excluding hard core action movies, are the ones I prefer though rebellious character fits me in. But its the role of a director to choose the best actor for a character unless the actor becomes a director himself.
RDMAN: How often do you watch foreign movies?
RBK: I watch lot of movies and I have a huge collection of Hollywood movies including major cinematic excellence in 60 years history of Cannes Film Festival. My Collections also include Italian Director Michael Angelo, American classic director Hitchcock, and also include movies from actors like Tom hanks, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Russel Crowe and award winning movies. And its good for an artist to vibrate our nerves and widen our thoughts with such movies.
RDMAN: Which is your favorite cinema of all time.
RBK: I loved Life is Beautiful, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Into the wild and 2011 Oscar winner "The Artist". There are whole range of movies( i can go on with the list) like The Pianist, The Terminal, A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond, The Departed, ...... Some artists like Al pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom hanks, Denzel Washington, Sean Penn are so inspirational to me that my dream girl is playing movies like these people do. I learn a lot from these kind of movies. Learning is a process, you cannot be them but you can be inspired to do so on your own.
RDMAN: I know you read books a lot...what is the latest book you are going through?
RBK: Latest book completed by me is "Jiwan Kadha ki Phool" by Jhamak Ghimire. I love spiritual and Philosophical books. Lately I am going through three books " A wild Sheep Chase" by Haruki Nakagami, "Karnali Blues" by Buddhi Sagar and "Brida" by Paulo Coleho.
RDMAN: Did you go to watch Loot and Chapali height?
RBK: NO I havenot watched it. Normally I watch Nepali movies in the premiere shows. I was in shooting for "Highway to Dhampus" when Loot was released. And for Chapali Height there was no call for premiere show and no one offered to go along....So its like that. But I want to watch Loot.
RDMAN: What is your impression for the movies Loot and Chapali height?
RBK: I have good impression for the movie Loot as Nischal Basnet is my junior during my film study in College of Film studies. Subash Koirala, the director of Apabad was in direction, I was in acting and Nischal Basnet was in Camera. There were people who used to question "Padheko Manche le k nai napchan ra" and loot is a big slap for all those. New people brings new thoughts, new thoughts brings in new results that's what culmunitated through Loot. Another thing Loot is refreshing.
Regarding Chapali Height, sex is still seen as a taboo in Nepal and there are many untouched genres in film-making one being sex. You could also do good with a western country movie here in Nepal as first movie of its kind always goes good and Chapali Height is just being one of them. I like their efforts in overcoming the risk of putting a new genre in Nepali cinema without ruining their whole image ( it could have happened to them) and running successfully all over though critics are disappointed with it. Movie is not only business, it's an art. You make a commercially success movie but where do you see your movie after 10 years, where is the life of your work, I think this is more important.
RDMAN: What is the main thing in a movie to look for as an audience or reviewer?
RBK: Movie is related to mass psychology and it's a fusion of art to present it through audio and video medium. Movie is about presentation, perception of the director with correct movie elements and attractions from Cinematography, story telling, screenplay, actors play. Movies must be focused on target audiences. Not all movies are made for all people. So director must be focused on what they can perform good.
RDMAN: Who is your favorite actor and actress from Nepal?
RBK: I like Hari Bansha Acharya from my childhood. He is not only a comedian but a true actor (we have also seen him as a bold rebel in Balidan) and he portrays every character in lively manner. Nir Shah is also one of those whom I like. Suvadra Adhikari is one of my favorite actress. New actors are also doing their best to put themselves in the favorite list of many. We are impressed only if a movie plot, presentation goes well with the character played by him/her. Saugat Malla is also recognized this big in Loot after doing Kagbeni and K yo Maya ho. So all the actors have that capability, but it culminates good only when their portrayal synchronizes with story line up and the team.
RDMAN: If somebody approaches you for a movie, what makes you sign that movie.
RBK: Who is making the Movie, what's his background, his seriousness and how is he doing it, matters much to me. If it's not there, I look for money because we are professionals,we live with it, everybody does so. But I have not done like that till now.
RDMAN: Where do you see Nepali Film Industry in 10 years time?
RBK: I could not forecast like this as only out of 80 Nepali movies, 8 are standing out in a year. Not only here, even in Bollywood it's like that thousands of movies are being made and only tens are known to people. But with the current development, I see more creative, more rich story, more recognition of Nepali movie worldwide, more income to actors and more respect from Nepali people to their own celebrities. But for that, serious film makers and movie literate should join in the action.
RDMAN: What do you have your say for the Nepali people: Nepali Movie lovers expecting a lot from New Nepali Cinema and Nepali people who don't watch about Nepali Cinema?
RBK: People they watch a lot of Movie and compare it with different aspects. As the Ball has started to roll, things will happen in couple of years and Nepali Movie lovers will be proud of Nepali movie. For those who dont watch Nepali movie, do not generalize Nepali Movies, Actors. First feel your own movies and then only comment. And I thank you all for putting Nepali movies, actors to this state, you guys are equally important for the existence of Nepali Movies either on the screens or in their heads but it always exists.
What a way to end the conversation!!! My utmost thanks to RBK for giving me this long in your busy schedules. Let's Promote Nepali Movies!
RDMAN: For those who are eagerly waiting for the movie. give me a snapshot of what's the movie Apabad is about?
RBK: Everybody wants to be himself but due to society, family formalities, obligations and pressure, they are always stereotypes. They are filled with the expectation of others like my son studies well, graduates with good grades, takes good position in office, gets married, lives his life well. Most of the living goes in the cycle but there are whole lot of thoughts in his mind beyond that. People have some thoughts, beliefs and want to fulfill his inner being, assembly of which is Apabad. It's like a person who wants to be himself.
RDMAN: How is it different from regular movies?
RBK: One thing is the subject matter of the movie, which is different. Other stuffs include mainstream commercial elements with usual contexts, songs, dress up, dialogues, presentation, money-mind that regular movies are having it, which is also different for Apabad. Initially we, as a team thought of making a movie not to earn money but want to present a good movie and people to praise our efforts no-matter what the commercial success may be. We didn't say the movie is completely different but the promo speaks itself and people can tell from the promo, poster and synopsis.
RDMAN: How often do you compare the character in your movies to yourself?
RBK: I do that actually, for me acting is not like creating a virtual world. You want to be real. For every sequences you play, you always mix it with your own experiences, emotions, you try to bring out the real. If you are able to bring out the real, then people will like it. When I was playing Apabad, I might have thought somewhere to run away from society, run away from usual life and live a lonely life. Even in Masan, Pal I have transformed myself into the character. Sometimes the story fits for you and you are judged good and be successful in portraying that character. But acting is not mathematics. Sometimes people like what you do and sometimes they are not convinced. People don't always like everything you do with the character but if people relate to their life in some dialogues, gestures then they seem to like him/her as an actor. So I do compare, being a student of acting I always look for bringing the character in my thought process and mix it with my being. you are not being yourself but if your character and yourself have some similarities then you can perform very well.
RDMAN: Have you forgotten yourself in such process and believed you to be that character?
RBK: Yeah sometimes you wake up blank, don't even know which day it is, you are hastened with where to go, which character to play and what to wear. You work hard all the day, come home tired and sleep. And another day you wake up, the same. So you have to be the character, may play some awky moments and you cannot say no. Like in Apabad I have even played scenes of peeing, and stooling moments. Once you be Suyog, and once you are in the thought process, then that's the ultimate thing you do..... you forget everything, you don't feel ashamed of the sequences you play though there are some boundaries in cinema.
RDMAN: I heard you are working on a movie project done by some foreigners(Hollywood crew?).
Highway to Dhampus? Whats the movie about? Is the shooting completed...when can we watch the movie?
RBK:Yes Nepal chapter is completed in the movie. Movie is being made under the banner of Fifty Films directed by Rick Mcfarlan. Same team was involved in making of the American Romantic Comedy My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, a movie recognized in Sun-dance Festival 2010. They wanted to make a movie based in Nepal and they were searching for an actor to play Pilot role and I got selected through auditions. Nepal and UK shooting are completed then part of Arab and America remaining for which I will be going LA. Though production house is not that big as compared to the news-makers in Hollywood, but the actors are big like the ones from Sherlock Homes, Peter Pan, Perfume. And the movie is going to release in 2013 after possible shows in some festivals which we will be submitting the movie.
RDMAN: Is the story based in Nepal?
RBK: Yeah. Its like foreigners they come to Nepal with some thoughts and people here do expect from the foreigners. The expectation of both matters mutually. That's Highway to Dhampus. I am not allowed to reveal much about the movie. So the story is about the effect of foreigners presence in the people here in Nepal and the impact of our simplicity, psychology in their life.
RDMAN: What kind of role do you think suits you as an actor?and what kind of role( that you have not done) do you want to do in upcoming movies?
RBK: I think somewhat serious role (though I do comedy acts in radio) fits me. I love to do movies with heavy story that critics keep on talking and put in archive as a study matter for future film students. People still talk about Basudev unlike seasonal comedy stuff. Such type of role I would like to do and this Suyog character is one of them. Any such serious roles, good movie, and also usual mainstream movies excluding hard core action movies, are the ones I prefer though rebellious character fits me in. But its the role of a director to choose the best actor for a character unless the actor becomes a director himself.
RDMAN: How often do you watch foreign movies?
RBK: I watch lot of movies and I have a huge collection of Hollywood movies including major cinematic excellence in 60 years history of Cannes Film Festival. My Collections also include Italian Director Michael Angelo, American classic director Hitchcock, and also include movies from actors like Tom hanks, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Russel Crowe and award winning movies. And its good for an artist to vibrate our nerves and widen our thoughts with such movies.
RDMAN: Which is your favorite cinema of all time.RBK: I loved Life is Beautiful, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Into the wild and 2011 Oscar winner "The Artist". There are whole range of movies( i can go on with the list) like The Pianist, The Terminal, A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond, The Departed, ...... Some artists like Al pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom hanks, Denzel Washington, Sean Penn are so inspirational to me that my dream girl is playing movies like these people do. I learn a lot from these kind of movies. Learning is a process, you cannot be them but you can be inspired to do so on your own.
RDMAN: I know you read books a lot...what is the latest book you are going through?
RBK: Latest book completed by me is "Jiwan Kadha ki Phool" by Jhamak Ghimire. I love spiritual and Philosophical books. Lately I am going through three books " A wild Sheep Chase" by Haruki Nakagami, "Karnali Blues" by Buddhi Sagar and "Brida" by Paulo Coleho.
RDMAN: Did you go to watch Loot and Chapali height?
RBK: NO I havenot watched it. Normally I watch Nepali movies in the premiere shows. I was in shooting for "Highway to Dhampus" when Loot was released. And for Chapali Height there was no call for premiere show and no one offered to go along....So its like that. But I want to watch Loot.
RDMAN: What is your impression for the movies Loot and Chapali height?
RBK: I have good impression for the movie Loot as Nischal Basnet is my junior during my film study in College of Film studies. Subash Koirala, the director of Apabad was in direction, I was in acting and Nischal Basnet was in Camera. There were people who used to question "Padheko Manche le k nai napchan ra" and loot is a big slap for all those. New people brings new thoughts, new thoughts brings in new results that's what culmunitated through Loot. Another thing Loot is refreshing.
Regarding Chapali Height, sex is still seen as a taboo in Nepal and there are many untouched genres in film-making one being sex. You could also do good with a western country movie here in Nepal as first movie of its kind always goes good and Chapali Height is just being one of them. I like their efforts in overcoming the risk of putting a new genre in Nepali cinema without ruining their whole image ( it could have happened to them) and running successfully all over though critics are disappointed with it. Movie is not only business, it's an art. You make a commercially success movie but where do you see your movie after 10 years, where is the life of your work, I think this is more important.
RDMAN: What is the main thing in a movie to look for as an audience or reviewer?
RBK: Movie is related to mass psychology and it's a fusion of art to present it through audio and video medium. Movie is about presentation, perception of the director with correct movie elements and attractions from Cinematography, story telling, screenplay, actors play. Movies must be focused on target audiences. Not all movies are made for all people. So director must be focused on what they can perform good.
RDMAN: Who is your favorite actor and actress from Nepal?
RBK: I like Hari Bansha Acharya from my childhood. He is not only a comedian but a true actor (we have also seen him as a bold rebel in Balidan) and he portrays every character in lively manner. Nir Shah is also one of those whom I like. Suvadra Adhikari is one of my favorite actress. New actors are also doing their best to put themselves in the favorite list of many. We are impressed only if a movie plot, presentation goes well with the character played by him/her. Saugat Malla is also recognized this big in Loot after doing Kagbeni and K yo Maya ho. So all the actors have that capability, but it culminates good only when their portrayal synchronizes with story line up and the team.
RDMAN: If somebody approaches you for a movie, what makes you sign that movie.
RBK: Who is making the Movie, what's his background, his seriousness and how is he doing it, matters much to me. If it's not there, I look for money because we are professionals,we live with it, everybody does so. But I have not done like that till now.
RDMAN: Where do you see Nepali Film Industry in 10 years time?
RBK: I could not forecast like this as only out of 80 Nepali movies, 8 are standing out in a year. Not only here, even in Bollywood it's like that thousands of movies are being made and only tens are known to people. But with the current development, I see more creative, more rich story, more recognition of Nepali movie worldwide, more income to actors and more respect from Nepali people to their own celebrities. But for that, serious film makers and movie literate should join in the action.
RDMAN: What do you have your say for the Nepali people: Nepali Movie lovers expecting a lot from New Nepali Cinema and Nepali people who don't watch about Nepali Cinema?
RBK: People they watch a lot of Movie and compare it with different aspects. As the Ball has started to roll, things will happen in couple of years and Nepali Movie lovers will be proud of Nepali movie. For those who dont watch Nepali movie, do not generalize Nepali Movies, Actors. First feel your own movies and then only comment. And I thank you all for putting Nepali movies, actors to this state, you guys are equally important for the existence of Nepali Movies either on the screens or in their heads but it always exists.
What a way to end the conversation!!! My utmost thanks to RBK for giving me this long in your busy schedules. Let's Promote Nepali Movies!
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