Tête-à-tête with Ram Babu Gurung

Kathmandu: December 12: Director Ram Babu Gurung’s latest offering has thrilled all cinegoers. ‘Kabaddi Kabaddi’ is receiving lots of love from audiences since its release two weeks ago. In the sequel to the 2014 hit ‘Kabaddi’, Kaji continues to vie for Maiyya’s affection in the backdrop of local politics and a new rival. Audiences are leaving cinema halls full of praises for the film, its actors and the filmmaker. Here is what the man behind the most popular Nepali film of recent times has to say.

How are you taking in the success of ‘Kabaddi Kabaddi’?

I credit the success of ‘Kabaddi Kabaddi’ to its prequel. I hear some people watched the film as many as 17 times. So I believe that the love and goodwill for the first film is what pulled viewers to the cinemas this time around, too. This also means well for the financial side of it, especially in the light of the present crisis. Actually we were in a fix regarding the release date. Should we wait until the crisis is resolved? But when would the situation get better? So we decided to go ahead. It’s also doing well overseas in countries like Australia, the UK, the US, and Portugal.

People say the strength of your films lie in the story and your characters.

I like stories that are rooted in reality. Before I started ‘Kabaddi’, I went off to Mustang for two weeks to learn about the people and their lifestyle there. All my characters are inspired by real people, one way or another. I remember when we were shooting for the first film, the owner of the house that Maiyya’s mom runs the small shop in, was looking at the proceedings very strangely. Later I found out that her story was similar to Maiyya’s mother. Her husband had also not been home for almost 15 years and she had raised her children singlehandedly.

What about the fact that Maiyya’s character doesn’t seem as well fleshed out as the others?

This concern was raised during the preproduction, too. I’m not adept at writing female characters because I’m not very close to or comfortable with women. That’s probably why I wasn’t able to delve deeper when it came to Maiyya. However, the film centers on politics this time and that’s where the whole focus was. We did introduce the fact that the village college was closed due to elections and Maiyya also speaks to her father about wishing to go to the capital. But of course, that wasn’t enough.

One question most viewers have is whether there will be a third installment of Kaji and Maiyya’s relationship. What do you have to say?

I feel like this is a definite ending for their relationship. At least, as far as I’m concerned, this is how some relationships are. One doesn’t always get what they want, and I’ve known this to happen. But I’ll admit that we put those last scenes in so that we have a reason to continue this story should fate want us to. Nothing is confirmed. Let’s hope the audience doesn’t feel irritated watching the same subject again and again.

‘Kabaddi’ received a number of awards. Do you hope the same for ‘Kabaddi Kabaddi’?

To be honest, I’m not really interested in awards. If I receive the honor, it’s well and good but I’ve no problems if I don’t, either. I don’t make films with the intent to receive awards. Having said that, I do want to participate in international film festivals though that is far off. But I don’t think I have the required skills yet to make films for the international film festival circuit.

After enjoying such huge successes with your two films, what is next in line for you?

I’ll start work for my next film in three months’ time. The project is titled ‘Purano Dunga’ and it will star Dayahang Rai and Mausi Gurung. It will be different from what I’ve been doing so far. I guess people see me doing comedy films but my personal favorite is films that are silent and dark. ‘Purano Dunga’ is the tale of two brothers, whose stories will run parallel, one in the city and the other in the village. Next in line is ‘Degree Maila.’ I feel the premise of the story holds value in today’s time when a college degree doesn’t really guarantee a respected, well paying job in the country.

(Source: Myrepublica)