Tell us something about “How Funny.”

“How Funny” is a comedy flick that is centred on a detective story. It features Keki Adhikari, Priyanka Karki and Nisha Adhikari in the pivotal roles. I think Anoop Bikram Shahi’s character will be admired more by girls and Dayahang Rai is the propeller of the film. “How Funny” is a clumsy film but, at the same time it is educational, inspirational and entertaining.  We have tried to incorporate things we have learnt all our live and I think it is quite unique execution-wise.

Won’t you be stepping in front of the camera for this film?

I’ve always been passionate about filmmaking rather than anything else. I always knew, even as a kid, that I wanted to make films in the future. Acting in “Punte Parade” happened by fluke, and I don’t think I’ll be acting anytime soon. I mean, I might, if something right comes along, but until then, I’m happy getting involved in various aspects of filmmaking, like conceptualising, assisting and directing.

What do you like to do apart from filmmaking?

When I’m not working, there is a set of friends that I like to hang out with. Except for that, I’m always involved in something that’s got to do with filmmaking. I don’t think I can do anything except for that. I have done odd jobs—have worked at a call centre and so on—but I wasn’t good at any of them. I also tried to help my mum with her travel agency but I was bad at even that.

Is there anyone you really admire in the film industry?

I like Rekha Thapa a lot. I think she is the sole fighter in the industry and she has got a good sense of cinema. She accomplished everything on her own terms and I think she has a good head for business as well. Other than that, I really liked Bhusan Dahal’s “Kagbeni” and have enjoyed Nischal Basnet’s works. These are the people who’ve inspired me to come into the Nepali film industry.

Is there anyone you’d like to work with in the near future?

I was lucky enough to be able to work with the set of people I like in my first film itself. But in the future, I’d definitely like to do a feature film with Rekha Thapa. I also want to work with other actors like Namrata Shrestha, Reecha Sharma, Aryan Sigdel and Saugat Malla.

Are you much of a reader?

I’m not a book fanatic but I do try to read whenever somebody suggests something interesting. I think my reading capability is limited and I get bored easily. The last book I read was “Fault in our Stars” by John Green; that was way before the film released. I loved the book but was quite disappointed with the film.

What do you think are your biggest strength and weakness?

The relations I keep are my biggest strength. I always try to sustain those in every way possible. Talking about my weakness, I’m very bad with finances. I cannot manage them at all and I’m always broke half the time.

Are you a tech-savvy person?

Yes, I like to keep myself updated with technology and new gadgets. If I had not been into cinema, I’d probably have worked with electronics. I’m always sitting somewhere and fixing things like DVD players and so on. It kind of comes naturally to me.

Is there anything you want to do in your lifetime?

I lost my grandparents six years back. I was very close to them so I want to do something for elderly people. I’m also an animal lover. I have a cat and a dog at home and I’m very fond of them. So I also want to do something for the sake of animals.

You have worked in India for so long. What do you think is lacking in the Nepali film industry?

I lived in India for about a decade and made short films and assisted in Tamil films. I think people here are equally creative and the only difference I found was in terms of work ethics. People there have a sense of respect for the cinema. But here, some lack professionalism. They keep criticising their own films rather than looking at the positive aspects.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

I want to become a director that every actor wishes to work with… maybe a sort of Karan Johar of the Nepali film industry. I think there are two categories of cinemas popular in Nepal. There is one crowd that loves conventional movies, and other crowd that likes movies made by the newer generation. I’d like to bridge the gap between those two groups of cinema goers, and instead of showing films in multiplexes only, I want to show them everywhere so that all kinds of people can watch my movies.