Nischal Basnet

Nischal Basnet is a Nepali director, actor and playback singer who predominantly works in Nepali cinema. Considered as one of the best director of Nepali cinema, he is widely acclaimed for "revolutionizing Nepali cinema" through his realistic, dark and comic depiction of social problems prevalent in Nepal on celluloid screen. Basnet has directed three feature films: ''Loot'' (2012), ''Talakjung vs Tulke'' (2014) and ''Loot 2'' (2017). He has acted in the films ''Kabaddi'' (2014), ''Dui Rupaiyan'' (2017), and ''Prasad'' (2018).

Basnet debuted as a film director with the crime-thriller ''Loot'', which earned 25.5 million Nepalese rupees (NPR) and became a "cult classic" and the highest grossing Nepali film ever. After his successful debut as a director, he debuted as an actor in ''Uma'' (2013). Basnet later directed the dark comedy ''Talakjung vs Tulke'', which was critically acclaimed and commercially successful. The film was selected as the Nepalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Basnet has received numerous awards, including the Dcine Award for Best Debut Director and Best Cameo Role. He has also won a National Film Award for Best Director, and a nomination for Best Actor in a Negative Role at the Kamana Film Awards and Dcine Awards. Basnet has been married to Nepalese film actress Swastima Khadka since 2016.

Career

2012–2015: Directorial and acting debut

Before making his directorial debut in 2012, Basnet said that he "didn't have the slightest clue that ewould be getting into moviemaking" and added that he had not given any thought to it; after watching "mind-numbingly boring Nepali movies" in 2009, being disappointed that Nepalese films were "so terrible", he decided that he would "make a film within the next 5 years at any cost". Basnet read books and spent time on the internet to learn about film-making. The same year, he directed an unreleased short film titled ''Innocent'', which criticises gun culture in Kathmandu. This film started struggling during its post-production: Basnet recalls that he "tried every way to save the movie but heyweren't professionals" and that he "hopelessly riedto edit the movie and sync the sound on islaptop with friend". Basnet has said that he does not think he will release the film, blaming his inexperience for its outcome.

Basnet made his directorial release debut in 2012 with the critically acclaimed crime-thriller ''Loot''. The film is set around Nepal's capital Kathmandu, and the plot focuses on five young men who are in desperate need of money. The film features an ensemble cast and went on to win National Film Awards for Best Actor, Best Art Director, and Best Editing. Nischal Basnet contributed vocals as a playback singer to the film's original song, "Udhreko Choli", with Indira Joshi. ''Loot'' became a blockbuster at the box office, earning NPR 25.5 million Nepalese rupees (approximately US$218,000 in 2019). According to MyRepublica, the film became a cult classic.

After making his directorial debut, Basnet acted in ''Uma'' (2013) and ''Kabaddi'' (2014). In ''Kabaddi'', he appeared in a lead role as Bibek, who tries to abduct a gangster's daughter. His role in the film received acclaim.

In 2014, Basnet directed the dark comedy ''Talakjung vs Tulke'', which is set during the Nepalese Civil War (1996–2006). The film was commercially successful and received critical acclaim, with Basnet winning a National Film Award for Best Director. ''Talakjung vs Tulke'' was selected as the Nepalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated; Basnet said that he felt good having his film be Nepal's Oscar representation. Of the selection, Basnet said that: "I make my movie my way, others make movies their way. It is up to the panel of judges and how they see a movie". After ''Talakjung vs Tulke'', Basnet starred in '' Kabaddi Kabaddi'' (2015), and made a special appearance in ''Zindagi Rocks'' (2015).

2017–present: ''Loot 2'' and ''Prasad''

In 2017, Basnet directed the sequel to his debut '' Loot'', titled ''Loot 2''. After ''Loot'' became a blockbuster, Basnet had planned a sequel, but its pre-production in writing the plot had taken a long time. The film starred the original cast of ''Loot'' as well as new stars, including Bipin Karki and Alisha Rai. Like the original, ''Loot 2'' became a blockbuster at the box office, grossing NPR 78.5 million. ''OnlineKhabar'' wrote that they "can sense director Basnet's genuine involvement in trying to elevate ''Loot 2'' beyond the obvious comparison to its prequel. His characters have matured, not in a way warranting epiphanies mind you, but in a subtle manner like the effect passing of time has on individuals". The same year, Basnet acted in the comedy-drama ''Dui Rupaiyan'' (2017). The plot concerns his character, Jureli, and Asif Shah's Dari searching for two rupees; he also sang "Talkyo Jawani" for the soundtrack of the film. This role was less well received by ''OnlineKhabar'', with Sandhya Ghimire writing that the two leads "are informal to the point of being almost cringe-worthy". After ''Dui Rupaiyan'', Basnet made an appearance in the romantic drama ''Prasad'', playing Ramesh, a villainous character who interferes with the life of a couple who cannot conceive. He received praise from critics for this role, with ''OnlineKhabar'' saying that he "has contributed his distant gesture, cold facial expression and thoughtfully articulated dialogues to his projection as a conspirator". In 2019, Basnet announced his upcoming film, ''Ghamad Shere.'' The film stars Basnet, Swastima Khadka, Sushma Niraula, and Gauri Malla

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