After a hiatus of five years, one of the most acclaimed directors in Kollywood, Tulsi Ghimire, has returned to the Nepali cinema with Darpan Chhaya 2, which released on Friday. Although the film borrows its name from 2001’s blockbuster romantic drama, Ghimire reiterates that it is not a sequel to the former.

“Although both the film have some of their features in common—both the films are romantic musical dramas—Darpan Chhaya 2 doesn’t follow in the narrative of the Darpan Chhaya, hence it’s not a sequel,” said Ghimire. 

On a recent conversation with the Post, Ghimire, candid as ever, talked about how the landscape of Nepali cinema has been changing over the years. 

“The technologies that we used while we produced Darpan Chhaya, some 15 years ago, have been replaced now with better gears. And naturally, the course of the cinema has also changed for better-the cine industry has come of age now,” said Ghimire. “The cine industry is now led by a cluster of youngsters who are willing to experiment and push the limits. The proverbial kura sunnu budha ko (learn from the elderly) has now altered-we’re learning from the youngsters.” 

Having had such veritable classics—such as Kusume Rumaal, Laahure, Rumal, Chino, Dakshina and Balidaan—under his belt, Ghimire’s directorials of late could not repeat the success tasted by their predecessors. Regarding what, Ghimire is at once apologetic and complacent. 

“Although the technology and presentation have changed, the basic sources emotions have not and will not,” Ghimire went on, “I might have directed dozens of films in the past, but while in the process of making the film, I knew I still had a lot to learn, especially from the youngster working today. And in Darpan Chhaya 2, the audience could feel that. And still, with the new offering, I have not let my quest for originality die.”