| Username |
Post |
| Bhunte |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 02:06 AM
Actress Bipana Thapa in English movie
Popular Nepali actress Bipana Thapa has signed a contract to play the lead role in an English movie "Remember me", Nepal Samacharpatra said Wednesday.
"There are no vulgar scenes in the movie unlike other Hollywood ones," Thapa told the daily. "Therefore, I accepted the role."
"In addition, this was not merely the matter of monetary gains. This is, in fact, a matter of pride for all Nepalis. So I decided to play the role," she added.
Golden Sun Movies of England and JMT Production of Singapore are the joint producers of the movie, according to the daily.
UK, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia will be the shooting locations for the film that has a script of East-West and the struggle of a girl, the daily said.
"I will be back to Nepal after one month," Thapa, who will be off to London on Thursday, said.
The producers, then in Kathmandu, first saw her in television screen receiving "Gorkha Dakshin Bahu" medal from the King a few weeks ago. Impressed, they contacted her and took many photos before finally selecting her for the lead role, the daily said.
"Earlier Karishma Kapoor, a popular Bollywood actress, was chosen for the role, but due to her high demands for money, the producers dropped her," the daily added. nepalnews.com mr Jan 7
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| ashu |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 05:33 AM
Actress Bipana Thapa said:
"In addition, this was not merely the matter of monetary gains. This is, in fact, a matter of pride for all Nepalis. So I decided to play the role,".
Since this is not the first time that I have come across a grandiose statement like this
in Nepal (especially from the kalakaar folks who have this annoying tendency to declare themselves to be 'national treasures' all the time), why do Nepali kalakaars say that whatever they do, they do it for the "pride of all Nepalis" as though they were really
the barometers of our collective pride?
I mean, in this case, why couldn't Bipana say something like: "[Working on this English language movie] sounded like a good opportunity, a potentially exciting career move, and that's why I decided to do the role."
Wouldn't that have been an honest, straightforward and an easy-to-understand statement? Why dress up her career choices in the garb of 'national pride' and so
on?
[Bipana probably would have said something like that, but I sense that the ethos surrounding the Nepali film industry is so goddamn sanctimonious that filmi kalakaars have to make such grandiose pronouncements anyway.]
On a larger note, is our Nepali collective pride so fragile that it needs to be propped up, even by obscure foreign film companies?
oohi
"bored and hungry on a Wednesday afternoon"
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| lonely1 |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 06:40 AM
Ashu,
When you say "Bipana probably would have said something like that, but I sense that the ethos surrounding the Nepali film industry is so goddamn sanctimonious that filmi kalakaars have to make such grandiose pronouncements anyway"
you hit the nail on its head. I also agree that living as we do in the midst of crisis one after another, the naitonal pride is also in crisis. For people with more global persepctive and historical understanding, it may be a matter of concern, but for many people the blind nationalizing agenda parroted in junior high history classes is the only way to understand Nepal. It gets to a paranoic height in the under-developed and under-rated segment of arts in general today and in particular in the world of Nepali cinema held morally "suspicious".
Having said that I would add that such statements are also reflections into not simply the profession, but the individual--his/ her mindset and intellectual level of sophistication and self-reflection. Maybe Rajesh Hamal might have said it better and differently. Although I am not his "fan" he seems to present himself more tactfully in the media.
Meanwhile, as Ashu raises the issue of "kalakars" I would say that we extend this discussion to include other artists, such as writers in English, and how they present themselves and Nepal in their works. Let's say Samrat Upadhyaya, Manjushree Thapa, Abhi Subedi, Padma Devkota, etc. My understanding is that these writers are doing the same thing, more smartly definitely. And, oft-times, the way we respond to these writers or other kalakars has been like "Tapainle Nepal ra hami Nepaliko nak rakh dinu bhayo" = You earned Nepal and we Nepali folks recognition blah blah. Part of the connection these kalakars make between themselves and thier works/ opportunities, therefore, is also culturally built-in: we make them say that. What do you all think?
Uuhi, Lonle#1
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| Bilbo Baggins |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 11:30 AM
Ashu Ji ... lighten up man! Let her have her day!!
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| dautari |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 11:38 AM
The online version of one vernacular daily expressed pride in the opportunity given to a Nepali actress to star in a "Hollywood" standard movie. I wonder if this UK-Singapore joint collaboration can be called a "Hollywood" standard movie. How can it be Hollywood standard if the producers can't even afford a proper Indian actress?
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| Nepe |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 04:01 PM
Ashu hit the nail on the head. But Lonely1 performed a careful surgery on the head. Enjoyed both.
Nepe
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| Deep |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 04:24 PM
"In addition, this was not merely the matter of monetary gains. This is, in fact, a matter of pride for all Nepalis. So I decided to play the role," she added. "
Haina aba bichara hamri Bipana le afno sur le bolna ni napaunu? bahudal jeth ma madesh tira lagne gham jasari lagya chha achel hamra gam ma---Biapna ji aba ali emotional bhaki holin ni ta sathi ho---heri yaso bhanna parne uso bhanna parne tyaso kina bhani ye tyalle bhanera kina khedo khaneko ho?
Udayo Sapana sabai hure li---huri le---sapana sabai huri le---(sachi yo Huri bhaneko ko re chha? Kumari pati ko ho?)
Sapana lai ta udayo udayo
aba bhaki Biapna ko pani jibro samatera bhadkauna bhena ni.
Narayena Narayena!
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| Lalupate*Joban |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 06:21 PM
Truth be told, I don't see anything wrong or weird or hypocritical about Bipana's statement.
Glory to the lady!
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| dazzling ko keti |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 06:32 PM
Although, I do not know who Bipana Thapa is, I don't think we should crucify her for her statements.
I am sure you would agree the film industry in Nepal is still in its evolutionary stage. It has a long way to go before, it can attain a level comfortable enough to dissociate itself from the lesser trivialities. Based on its relatively novice foothold, I would consider it to be a matter of national pride, for a nepali actress to secure a leading role in an international film. I don't think she committed any crime in tilting the argument towards a nationalistic light...afterall she is accepting a role in a film which isn't prodcued by a homegrown buddy. One which has a elatively unconventional theme, I presume and she even scored above Karishma Kapoor for crying out loud!!!
Instead of engaging in hopeless criticism, for what she could not express in "politically correct terms", and to suit customized tastes----"Me", thinks the girl deserves laurels of appreciation and best wishes for her success. Its high time, we rise above these chauvinistic prejudices!!!
Whoever you may be, Cheers to your success, Bipana Thapa. Everybody say: "AEY".
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| nell |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 07:52 PM
Since when did going International became 'National Pride'? I dont seem to understand people associating their own self interest with national pride in a level playing field.
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| qallu |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 09:20 PM
People need to stop raining on this chick's parade! We have been subjected to repeated self-glorification by every Tom Dick and Harry on this very for all sorts of mediocre and not terribly amazing things. And we've heard from the brown nosers and psychophants pandering to these self-involved punks.... Its hypocritical to criticizing this girl for possibly just not being terribly sophesticated, or maybe simply even speaking like many Nepali people do... haven't you Ashu talked about how YOU returned to Nepal, instead of taking that job in wall street, to help the country or something like that?
So.... ??? what's the difference here? and I agree with lonely1 about Samrat and Manjushree etc.
Anyway, why shouldn't Bipana be proud of and talk about being the first Nepali in a lead role in an English movie... however "obscure" the film company?! Sure money and career might have been the primary issues driving her to accept the role, but hey, she say "it wasn't just about the money" doesn't she? Being the first Nepali ... breaking ground in some international context might be a matter of personal pride for her and yeah for Nepalis too... they could have chosen a Malay or singaporean or even an Indian actress, right? But they didn't.........
Pucker your mouths!! Them grapes are sour.
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| failedstate |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 09:24 PM
Poor Bipana! Give her a break.
This is not the first time someone has gloated like this. Haven't you ever watched the Miss USA program? Just about everyone says that they are committed to save the world from AIDS, poverty, rights violations, hunger, injustices, and are equally serious about preserving whales, dolphins, spotted owels, desert turtles, Alaska's prestine wildreness, and the rainforests half way around the world.
Our own NETAS always say they are in politics and seek Mantri Pad to serve Nepal Ama.
More power to her and congratulations! Beating out Karishma is not a trivial thing I have been told by those who are up on Bollywood stuff.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 09:50 PM
dazzling ko keti jyu,
You got it absolutely right!
The very fact that a Nepali damsel has been asked to work as a female lead in an international movie is a cause for celebration! Yes, it is a personal achievement for Bipana that she will earn some $$ and her career will go places because of this break. But her entry into this level also has some larger cultural, artistic, and aesthetic implications. Just as Manisha Koirala was able to introduce the image of Nepali femininity in India and South Asia through Bollywood a decade ago, Bipana may now do the same on a much wider field through this film. As we all know, image is everything in this age...whether it is business, politics, and indeed nationalism. It is a kind of cultural capital, recognition, brand name. If the Indians feel good about Aishwarya Roy play-mating James Bond in the next movie, why shouldn't this be taken as vindication of Nepali beauty? Even though we always knew that the Nepali woman was always special and dazzling, Bipana might finally put her on the modern glamor pedestal that is recognized by all. More power to our women, and if that comes through tinsel screen so be it. Beauty and aesthetics, I may add, are some of the constitutive elements of any nationalism or nation. So in claiming to speak for the nation, Bipana does not sin. In any nationalism, the personal is always encompassed by the collective.
Moreover, Bipana'a or other artistes speaking for the nation is far more authentic than those by politicians and the business people. I am just amazed when merchants name their products Nepal/Himal/Gorkha/...a clear ploy to tug at our patriotic sentiments. Similarly, the tourism entrepreneurs become the spokesmen and custodians of Nepali culture and tradition to sell their wares to the foreign traveller in search of authentic Nepal. So the question is, who can speak for the nation legitimately? It is a big question, but in my reckoning, Bipana certainly can.
If any of us have her picture, it would be good to have it posted here. You would suprised what one good illustration can do to a conversation...save us a thousand words!
I was also wondering if Manjushree Thapa is going to write another installment of "Thapadom" following Bipana's selection. What is up with these Thapas anyway? They are not only favoured within the country, even bideshis seem to have a liking for them? Or is it just a matter of superior gene pool .....Bipana (beauty), Manjushree (brain), and Surya Bdr., Bhek Bdr., Kamal Bdr., Pyar Bdr., Sahabir Bdr., Baadal Ram Bdr, simply brawn!
Looking forward to the Bipana movie,
SC
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| ashu |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 10:04 PM
Qallu wrote:
"haven't you Ashu talked about how YOU returned to Nepal, instead of taking that job in wall street, to help the country or something like that?"
No.
I have NOT.
I know that appearances can be deceiving, and that self-confidence can be mistaken
for egotism, but you'll NEVER find me trumpeting about my own achievements or lack thereof on Sajha or anywhere else.
If other people talk about me publicly here on Sajha, then, that is something THEY START-- not me. If you are not convinced, you can go back and recheck the postings.
In fact, on Sajha, I can say that I have gone out of my way to celebrate OTHER
Nepalis' success . . . and the latest example was the postings related to Sammy Khadka.
Coming back to Bipana, I DID say that: "[Bipana probably would have said something like that, but I sense that the ethos surrounding the Nepali film industry is so goddamn sanctimonious that filmi kalakaars have to make such grandiose pronouncements anyway.]"
Let me NOT be misunderstood: I am happy about Bipana's success, and wish her well.
But my point was NOT so much about Bipana per se but about this ridicluous attitude of "we are this nation's treasure and whatever we do is for the pride of the country" that seems to obsess Nepal's writers, artists and kalakaars.
[Interestingly, I have NEVER met a Nepali economist, lawyer, engineer,or
a doctor who also thinks along "we are this nation's treasure" and then expects
the public to bow to him or her. I mean, these professionals seem to be doing their
work, letting the public judge them on their own merits.]
What Bipana said was merely EMBLEMATIC of that unquestioned attitude prevalent among the kalakaars, and this was what I commenting on, if a bit impatiently.
On a parallel note, I would say that one reason why Jharana Bajracharya's interview with Bijay Kumar became such a hit in kathmandu was that she came across as someone who is direct, straightforward and honest and articulate with NONE of the pretensions usually associated with the Nepali movie industry. Her interview was refreshing PRECISELY because she spoke her mnd and did not serve us canned-and-packaged responses.
I wish more Nepali kalakaars would stand out as individuals with their own points of view, than as self-designated "pride carriers" for us all. That's all. And so, let Bipana do a great job in that movie, and then let us -- Nepalis -- take pride in her work. Until then, let us NOT be deluded by vacuous manufactured-by-Kollywood pronouncements.
Finally, I don't know about others, but I have known both Samrat and Manjushree for
a number of years, and I can say that both are among the most down-to-earth and unpretentious writers and people I have ever come across.
My experience is that PARADOXICALLY people who have a high degree of self-confidence usually have a very small ego.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| Bhunte |
Posted
on 07-Jan-04 11:45 PM
Are there vulgar scenes in hollywood as BT claims??
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| OZ Guy |
Posted
on 08-Jan-04 05:14 AM
I don't know and haven't seen any movie of Bipana. I am sure she is big in Nepal. Congratulation to her if her role in English movie is going to do her good in terms of her movie career.
However, I wonder if anybody know the credentials of this movie company. How big is it? Can anybody recall any of its past productions? Does it have a large target audience? Is it a truly hollywood style movie, or some struggling directors/producers trying to just experiment their luck? In any case, this is the first time any Nepali kalakar has ventured into hollywood. I just hope Bipana is going to make us proud. Good luck to her.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 08-Jan-04 03:22 PM
OZ Guy jyu,
Here is more info on the move "Remember me" to be played by Bipana! This news is from the Times of India...Enjoy (the story even has her picture, she is smashing!! I could not paste it here though).
---------------
Look who bagged Karisma's role
IANS[ THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2004 12:53:42 PM ]
KATHMANDU: Nepalese actress Bipana Thapa has pipped Bollywood hearthrob Karisma Kapoor to a role in an English film being made by an Indian expatriate, apparently because of Bipana's cheaper rates.
Bipana Thapa
Bipana, one of the leading ladies in the Nepalese film industry with nearly 30 films to her credit, will star in Remember Me .
Director and cinematographer Antony Joy's revenge thriller with a strong dose of the supernatural is to be shot in Britain, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Remember Me is about a dutiful daughter who avenges her father's death. The father, a wealthy businessman in London, is killed by his brother for his property.
Bipana plays a young piano teacher who, besides avenging the murder, has to grapple with the problem of an adoring student who refuses to take no for an answer though she is already married.
The film, to be produced by Golden Sun Movies of England and JMT Production of Singapore, also casts Malaysian and Singaporean actors Richard, Robin D'Souza, Yuvan, Joe and Martin.
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| dazzling ko keti |
Posted
on 08-Jan-04 06:11 PM
Nell....in Life, nobody is running a charity show. Therefore, if Bipana is filling her coffer with a lil bit-o- extra change----So be it!!!
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| khimu |
Posted
on 08-Jan-04 11:46 PM
cool, cool
wish ya good luck "Bipana Thapa"
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| porcelina |
Posted
on 09-Jan-04 08:10 AM
dont get me wrong, its a really good opportunity that bipana thapa has got, but looking at the character that she plays in the movie, i think she doesn't deserve to get to say that her involvement in the movie is 'a matter of pride for all nepali people.'
oh btw, she plays an NRI ie Non Residential Indian...
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| qallu |
Posted
on 10-Jan-04 06:36 PM
what a ridiculous assertion... i guess all the actors who played "villains" in movies have nothing to be proud about?!
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 10-Jan-04 09:39 PM
Good Lord, no! Not another party-pooper! :-)
Bond, James Bond
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