How did you get into theatre?

I was a lively kid. Even as a child, I’d dance to the tunes of songs playing on the radio. I also enjoyed being on stage and dancing whenever I got a chance.

Coincidently, when I was in class six, Rajan (Khatiwada) dai, who is also my neighbour in our village in Bara, conducted a theatre workshop for students there. After that, we formed a group and started doing street plays.

Later, when I came to Kathmandu, I contacted Rajan dai and got in touch with Mandala Theatre. And I’ve been with them ever since.

A lot of youngsters regard theatre as a stepping stone to the silver screen. What’s your take on this?

Unfortunately, what you are saying is correct. Many people turn up in theatre workshops with the hope of getting into movies someday.

They expect us to provide them with some kind of magic pill that will turn them into good actors overnight. But, sadly speaking, they fail to realise that mastering this craft requires much dedication and hard work.

I am not against people using the skills they’ve acquired from working in theatres to establish themselves in the film industry. But no matter where one decides to work, one should be well-versed in acting first.   

Speaking of myself, I still prioritise theatre over cinema. My life, even now, revolves around drama and performances.

Therefore, despite getting many offers for movies, I am forced to reject most of them.

Now that you’ve got the taste of the silver screen, don’t you want to be a ‘hero’ someday?

Frankly speaking, that desire does tickle me sometimes (laughs). I cannot imagine myself as a macho, muscular ‘hero’, but I do think I can become a multidimensional actor and perform all kinds of roles.

 What are you working on these days?

We were scheduled to go to Bangladesh to perform Jumping Frog at a festival, but it got postponed in the last minute due to the political situation in the country. We are also preparing for the play Ghur, written and directed by Rajan dai. I am doing the lead role in the play.

 What do you like to do other than working in theatre?

I also teach dance to school students—it’s both my hobby and job. Besides, I watch a lot of movies, especially alternative Hindi cinemas.

I also love reading fiction, especially short stories. It helps me visualise and understand characters really well. Among Nepali writers, I like Kumar Nagarkoti, Upendra Subba and Rajan Mukarung.

Do you look up to anyone as inspiration?

My late mother was always supportive of me. When I was a child, she’d encourage me to dance to the songs on the radio. Even when the other members of my family were skeptical about my future in acting, she stood by my side. Unfortunately, she passed away before seeing me act on the stage.

She was and will remain an inspiration for me in my life and work.

Any memorable incident that you’d like to share with us?

It happened during the construction of the present Mandala Theatre. We’d shovel sand, prepare the mortar and carry loads of bricks ourselves (so as to minimise the construction cost). One day, while we were working on the site, a section of roof collapsed and fell over me, injuring my leg. After that, I was forced to rest for a week. I remember this incident every time I think of how far we have come from where we started.

Is there anything you’d want to change about yourself? Why?

I become friends with people and end up trusting them easily. This habit of mine has landed me in trouble many times. I wish I could be more cautious.

If not in this field, what would you be doing?

I might have ended up becoming a traffic police. My elder sister is one and she had even filled up the forms on my behalf. But I never turned up for the exam—I came to Mandala instead.

Are you a foodie?

Yes, I am. I’m a strict non-vegetarian. It’s hard for people to imagine, considering my rather thin body, but I’m a voracious meat eater.