By Renuka Dhakal

Kathmandu, Apr. 28: Comedians Sitaram Kattel alias Dhurmus and Kunjana Ghimire alias Suntali have been giving continuity to their altruistic works during the extended nationwide lockdown.
In the first stage of their support, they have distributed relief package through Dhurmus Suntali Foundation to 200 students studying at Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur.
Likewise, they sent 24 stranded students from Jhapa to Chitwan and 95 stranded workers from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts to Dang by reserving buses, said Kattel.
In addition, they supported 43 families temporarily residing in the capital with Rs 135,000 as per their need and provided an assistance of Rs 108,000 to the needy, poor, blind, disabled and new mothers living temporarily in the capital, said Kattel.
The two actors, through the Dhurmus Suntali Foundation, have been showing their kindness and generosity in the times of any calamity.
Born into a poor family, Kattel faced many financial challenges during his childhood and struggled to survive while living in Kathmandu as well, so he is well aware of the reality of deprivation. “Therefore, I have understood the importance of social service well,” said Kattel
These two comedians have been continuously in social work for the last six years after the massive earthquake of 25 April 2015, which killed 9000 people and left millions others homeless.
Kunjana recalled that when the earthquake hit Nepal, both of them were in the United States of America to perform various stage shows.
Before the earthquake rattled, the couple was collecting funds to construct toilets along the highways for the passengers, Kunjana said.
But, in the mean time the nature exploded with its cruelest form leaving each Nepali in a great fear and crisis. Then, the couple returned to Nepal cancelling their programmes and used all the money from fundraising for the relief package to the earthquake victims.
And since then they have been involved in social service through Dhurmus Suntali Foundation and so far they have completed Pahari Model Village, Giranchaur Model Village, Musuhar Model Village, Santapur Model Village and Bir Hospital Cleaning Campaign through the foundation and always extended their supporting hands whenever people and nation need it.
Their ongoing project, the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium, was halted due to the nationwide lockdown.
Both the comedians expressed concern that their project would face financial constraints as the pandemic plunged the world into a deep economic crisis.
“In this crisis, we cannot appeal to the people for financial support for our ongoing project because everyone is under the economic crisis,” they said.
The cricket stadium is a matter of national pride and the government should prioritize it, Kattel said, urging the government to allocate funds for the project in the upcoming budget.
Although the state and local governments have somehow helped the central government has not yet backed the national pride project, he said.
Regarding films, Kattel said that his most ambitious film Senti Virus was badly affected by coronavirus and now he has no plan about films. “However, we are interested in the web series in coming days to entertain the audiences.”
The comedian couple has been staying at home with their families for 20 to 25 days. As the lockdown extended, they started supporting through the Dhurmus Suntali Foundation those who are really in need. During the lockdown the couple has prepared more than 14 videos too.
Regarding Nepali films, he said that old Nepali films were excellent because their stories were related to the local contents and background. Kattel stressed the need of making Nepali films on local issues and cultures applying modern technology.
The comedian couple used to be always busy and didn’t spend much time with the family. "After six years, I have spent quality time with my family," said Kattel. He further said that now the earth is healing and the families are connected to each other which are good sides of the lockdown.
On the other hand, Suntali is honing her new art of cooking and has been spending quality time with her daughter. She is very conscious about homemade food for her daughter as she believes that homemade foods are the best for children’s physical and mental development.
The current pandemic has taught people about humanity and everyone should respect it, said Kattel.