By Renuka Dhakal
Kathmandu, Jan. 30: Comedian Kedar Ghimire, popularly known as ‘Magne Budha’ is a common name in Nepali households. He has become so popular because of his comedy role in television dramas and movies that everyone from kids to elderly knows him well.
His distinctive style of comedy always makes audience laugh.
Talking to The Rising Nepal, the comedian said, “The film industry is now open but it is a big challenge to get it back to its previous form.”
The film industry in Nepal, like elsewhere, remained shut from March last year because of COVID-19, and it reopened only recently
He further said that COVID-19 caused a change in the trend of watching films and it would take some time for moviegoers to get back to the earlier trend.
He is of the view that the government should provide encouragement and relief to bring the film industry affected by COVID-19 back on the track.
When asked why comedian Jitu Nepal was removed from the Chakka Panja team, he said, “We have not done any new film after 'Chhakka Panja-3'. If a new film is made, and if he does not appear in the film, only then it can be said that he has been removed. It is not good to spread rumors that he has been expelled from our team.”
We have not held any meeting related to the film, nor have we moved forward in the script writing process, he added.
Jitu Nepal has removed Deepa Shree Niraula of Chhakka Panja team from his popular comedy show ‘Mundre Ko Comedy Club’ from its second season and took popular actress Karishma Manandhar in place of Deepa.
Ever since Jitu replaced Deepa from MCC, rumors have been rife that Jitu was been removed from the Chhakka Panja team.
When asked the reason for the success of Chhakka Panja film series and Chha Maya Chhapakkai, he said “I think the success of our films is due to the collective effort of the people who come from different projects.”
The audience said that the movie 'Chhakka Panja' was successful because of Magne Budha. But he argued that the movie was successful because of the collective effort of their team. “To say that the film is a success because of me is the beginning of my downfall. Keep working, don't be arrogant. Pride comes before fall,” said Ghimire.
Ghimire has played many comedy TV serials, including ‘Gitanjali’, ‘Hijo Aaajka Kura’,’Jire Khursani’, ‘Khaskhus’, ‘Tito Satya’ and ‘Meri Bassai’ among others. He has done feature films like, ‘Chhakka Panja’ series, ‘Chha Maya Chhapakkai’, ‘Wada Number Chha’ and others.