When was the last time you felt 30 years younger? Rajesh Hamal does every single day.

The actor, famously referred to as ‘Mahanayak’ by the young and the old, keeps himself relevant even today, 35 years after his debut. Whether it is lifting weights, walking around a foreign city, reciting inspirational quotes, or simply striking his signature ‘thumbs up’ pose, Hamal continues to appeal to young Nepalis’ Instagram appetite.

But beyond that, he is a very “private person,” and doesn’t like to open up about his views and emotions. Which is why it was hard for him to write his recently released book ‘Yug Dekhi Yug Samma’. “I was unwilling to write a conventional autobiography because I felt I couldn't reveal so much about myself,” he says.

But when the idea came that someone else would ask him questions and he would respond, Hamal agreed to give it a try. The book’s author, Yangesh, and the actor spent three years preparing ‘Yug Dekhi Yug Samma’. “Once we got the ball rolling, I found myself opening up more than I had expected. He was very good at drawing things out of me,” he says.

The book, released in October 2025, reflects on his upbringing, childhood, family, and personal life, as well as his views on social issues, politics, religion, and other ideologies.

In this conversation with the Post’s Anish Ghimire, Hamal discusses his pop-culture popularity, his role in a superhero movie, and what he hopes readers will take away from his book.

You’re quite the pop culture icon. How do you feel about being a meme sensation, and do you have a favourite meme about yourself?.

I can’t recall any specific memes right now, but I enjoy them. Some make me stop and look again. I have a good sense of humour, and I take these things very objectively. I don’t take them personally at all.

It’s not just the memes—there are jokes about me too, and I enjoy those as well. Sometimes I try to remember them so I can mention them later. I’m the kind of person who can laugh at himself. In fact, I believe that if you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re not human enough.

When people make jokes about you, imitate you, or create caricatures, it is actually another form of compliment. Not everyone gets turned into a meme or has jokes made about them on social media.

Sometimes I think these jokes and memes will outlive me. Long after I’m gone, people might still say, ‘Once upon a time, there was this actor…’ With the internet and social media, once something is out there, it stays forever. And that’s fine by me.

If you could switch lives with any young actor for a day, who would it be?

That’s a difficult question to answer. I have enjoyed my own journey so much that if I had to switch places with someone younger, it would probably be with my own younger self.

It’s not that I don’t admire younger people. I do. I appreciate their talent and the work they are doing. But when you are honest with your own journey, you learn to enjoy it. No matter where you are in life, deep down, you wouldn’t want to trade your experiences for someone else’s.

If someone made a superhero movie about you, what would your powers be?

In one way or another, most of the films I have played have had elements of a superhero. They may not have been technically advanced or visually sophisticated, but the characters were larger than life. I was present during conflict, injustice, when someone needed help, or when a damsel was in distress. In that sense, I have already played many superhero-like roles.

If I were to do another superhero film today, I would still want to explore similar themes.

And what would your superpower be?

The superpower would be the ability to correct wrongs.

No matter the situation or the form it takes—whether in society, politics, or in people’s personal lives—I would want to fix what is wrong. If someone is suffering, I would like to help uplift them and set things right. That is the kind of superhero I would like to be.

If someone offers you a hero’s dad role, would you take it, or would you demand to play the hero instead?

I don’t mind playing the hero’s father. But if I’m the hero’s dad, then I’m probably a superhero—after all, I raised the hero.

If someone made a movie about your life, who should play the young Rajesh Hamal and who should play the older one?

I can’t think of anyone right now, but I would love it if someone made a film about my life.

It has been a fascinating journey—my life, my career, and especially the early years. The circumstances when I started were very unusual, and I think it could be eye-opening and educational for younger generations to see how the journey began 35 years ago, with all its ups and downs.

Just like how wrestlers have a soundtrack as they enter the ring. What would your soundtrack be when making an entrance?

Obviously, it has to be something cool and dramatic. I think the soundtrack would be incomplete without my trademark “heyyyy”—no matter what kind of music you put in. Somewhere in there, “heyyyy” should echo.

What does a perfect, lazy day look like for you? Or do you not have lazy days at all?

Yes, I do have lazy days. But even on those days, I make a point of working out.

It’s not ‘lazy’ in the sense of being completely inactive—I still read or do things slowly. I just prefer that nobody call me out of the house. Staying in all day like that makes it a very relaxing, lazy day for me.

What is your go-to workout music? Something that really gets you going.

I do not rely on music. I motivate myself. From the beginning, I’ve never relied on external motivation. That kind of motivation can make you dependent—it’s often in short supply when you really need it. Inward motivation, on the other hand, gives you the power to push yourself no matter what.

But motivation alone isn’t enough; discipline is key. Even if you’re motivated, there are moments when you might feel lazy or tempted to put things off. But discipline reminds me: it’s not about what you want right now—it’s about what you need to do.

Also, when it comes to my mental, spiritual, or physical state, I may take inspiration from others, but ultimately, I do what works best for me. I create my own remedies because these things need to be custom-made.

This is what I tell people when I offer tips on lifestyle, fitness, food habits, or mental well-being: take the advice, but design your plan around your reality. Think of it like tailoring a suit—your tailor can’t measure me; they have to measure you.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

When someone picks up a book, they’re looking for something they can relate to. That connection is what makes reading meaningful. Even if readers are learning about my experiences, they want to see parts of their own struggles, emotions, or challenges reflected in it—or find inspiration to improve their own situation.

That’s what I hope this book does. It’s not just about my life—it’s about experiences, emotions, and challenges that many people face. The journey, the struggles, the hard work, the highs and lows—these are universal. No matter someone’s background or field, they can relate to these aspects.

For example, loneliness is something everyone experiences at some point. Success, relationships, family—none of that entirely shields you from moments of loneliness or stress. I share these human experiences in my book so readers can see they’re not alone, and perhaps take inspiration for their own lives.