Saroj Khanal

Those who have watched Bhid Dekhi Bhid Samma on TV screen and Prem Pinda on the silver screen will never forget its protagonist. Saroj Khanal, 45, is a mega actor of colloids, TVs and theater in Nepal. The actor who has acted in 30 films, over two dozen TV serials and 25 plays is living a banbaas (in his own words) in the US for a decade now is briefly in Kathmadu in connection with his personal visit.City Post caught up with the actor yesterday afternoon for a candid talk wherein he shared his past, present and future. Excerpts:

What are you upto these days?

I've come here alone for a personal visit this time. Back in the United States, I'm working as Training and Area Manager at Windy's, the fast-food chain. Besides that, I've been coordinating for a stage program slated for the July 4 Independence Day of the US. It is tentatively dubbed “Kollywood Night” where most of the artistes living in the US have agreed to take part. But most often, I do perform on stage. Though I've danced onstage on a couple of occasions, people prefer me in theatrical shows.You mean you've been doing stage as you used to do back home?Not to that extent, actually. It's a daunting task to perform in the US. Theater demands a lot of time and energy. You need to bring together many artistes at one place and also find a story to act in. Definitely, the demands are too high, but we aren't able to live up to it.

Aren't you also into films there?

Gagan Birahi offered me a lead role in his feature film “Pardeshbata” two years back wherein I had given a shot too. But later, I was not happy with his style of making films. Since I was back in film after a hiatus of a decade, I didn't find it worthwhile to act in such a film which was not to my satisfaction. Besides that, I had acted in Mridula Koirala's “Ista-Mitra” shortly after reaching the US. It was screened in some of the cities there but wasn't released in Nepal.

Then, have you ever thought of making on your own?

It's not easy as people are doing here. You need to get permission for locations and also must pay a hefty amount. Naturally, the budget will go up. In addition, our market is very limited. Amrit Lama has recently approached me. If I find the cast suitable for me, I'll certainly go for it.

Do your colleagues also know that their co-worker is an accomplished artiste?

I tried to keep it a secret. But it was revealed in 2004 when the Baltimore Sun came up with a special four-page feature on me. The newspaper had spent seven months to prepare this article.

How did it happen, as you're media-shy?

It was a coincidence, I would say. A gas pipeline, which was a few meters away from my home, exploded all of a sudden. When such incidents happen in the US, the site is cordoned off, even for journalists. But some police personnel spotted a lady photographer taking snaps there. They chased her and she ran away from the scene and knocked on my door. I allowed her to hide in my house. The police came and ransacked my house but didn't look under the bed where she was hiding. She saw all the photos, which were hanging on the walls and learnt that I was an artiste, and she was intrigued. So I was in the limelight again in a fairytale manner.

What was the reaction of your co-workers after its publication?

Oh, that was a great reward, in fact. The company is lenient to me when I ask for a few days' leave for my shows. I was flabbergasted when the president of the company himself came to meet me.

You left Nepal when you were at the peak of your career. Why did you take such an unprecedented decision?

I had gone to the US on a personal visit. When I came back to Nepal, I decided to move there. I left in the middle of my career so people might not nitpick.

How do you find that decision as you look back on it now?

I wouldn't say I took the best way out, nor I would I, however, repent for what I did. But there were reasons behind it. Firstly, I don't regret leaving the field I belonged to. The filmdom in Nepal was at the worst juncture and it was plummeting day by day. I noticed the other genres of art were moving quite ahead; but when it came to films, the scenario was becoming gloomier.

And what about the theater?

You were also a theater person.When I popped in to Gurukul, I was amazed to see the facelift of theater. The theater has come of age. I've heard that theater people are making their living with performances. But during our time, it was just a hobby. We acted free.

You've been living in the US for a decade now. If you assess your stay and tell us about the loss and achievements, you would say…

I would've made more audiences and fans had I stayed in Nepal. Since I've been out of the scene for so many years, I've realized the new generation may not recognize me. I left my co-stars who would always stand by me. It was my decision to settle in the US. And my wife [Surya Mala] followed my decision. I have a great guilt and repent that I took such an accomplished artiste from a Nepali theater without her will. This guilt will remain with me forever.
Let's talk about the good things too. I managed to give good education to my sons, which may not have been possible had I stayed here. I'm proud of my sons. My older son has joined the US Army. Many people think that we go there to make money. Now I can say to others, “Look, folks, my son is safeguarding your country.”

Have you ever thought of returning to Nepal?

Of course! My elder son still has four more years for his graduation. I'll come back in four years. Let's put in this way: I've been in banbaas for ten years now, and my banbaas will be over after a total of 14 years [laughs aloud].

Tell us what you'll do when you come back?

I'll certainly join this field. I have this [performing] in my blood and it's running through my veins.

-By Shekhar Kharel