Aaryan Sigdel has played a wide variety of roles in Nepali films. He has a unique personality and style, which helps him stand out in the Nepali film industry. He is not only admired for his acting chops in Nepal, but also for his personality.
Sigdel made his debut with Kismat (Fate), playing opposite popular actress Rekha Thapa. He then took Kollywood – neologism for Nepali film industry – by storm in 2009 through his role of a wealthy son in Mero Euto Sathi Chha (I Have a Friend), inspired by Korean hit A Millionaire’s First Love.
In 2010, he appeared in three box office hits – Hifajat (Care), First Love and The Flashback. Sigdel has appeared in 40 movies so far, winning best actor awards for Mausam (Weather), Kohi Mero (Someone Mine), and Kasle Choryo Mero Maan (Who Stole My Heart?).
Sigdel was in Qatar recently to perform at a mega cultural programme organised by Doha Waves. Community caught up with him. Following are the excerpts:
You visit Qatar quiet often for cultural programmes organised by the Nepali community. How do you like it here?
I find a homely environment in Qatar. I feel like I am in Nepal when I land here, because wherever I go, I find Nepali folk. They have great hospitality, and I feel cool in the hot weather. From the airport to the hotel and the programmes I perform at, I find Nepali smiles everywhere. And I appreciate Qatari government for hosting my brothers and sisters. The Nepali community here is very dedicated to promoting our native culture and arts, and I feel proud about it.
You are one of the most popular actors in Kollywood. What are the current projects you are working on?
I am taking a little break from the movie industry. These days, I play only selected roles. The scenario has changed. My directors and producers are angry at me because I have rejected their current projects. I have done so because I am not confident about the stories and scripts they bring. Recently, I launched my own production – Classic – which was a blockbuster. I have signed up for two movies of Chetan Gurung and Shyam Aryal. My Qatar-based friend Bishnu Karki and I will produce a movie in which I will be playing the lead role opposite actress Namrata Shrestha. The script is being readied. I am excited about my future projects.
How did you come into acting? Was it your childhood dream?
Frankly speaking, acting was not my childhood dream. My cousin took me to an acting school when I was in high school. People used to tell me I was handsome, they said I acted and danced well. Slowly, I started doing stage programmes and took formal acting lessons on the side. Those days, I was performing in many street plays. And then I was offered a role in Kismat, playing opposite Rekha Thapa who was already a household name. And that’s how my acting career on the silver screen started.
You have been involved in the movie industry for some time and there are multiple changes going on in the domestic movie industry, particularly with youngsters. How do you evaluate such a shift?
Of course, there has been much change in our film industry lately. In the past, we had the same content in all movies, but now stories are being told totally differently from one movie to another. There have been many changes with the camera work and other techniques. We are still behind world cinema, but we can catch up to it in couple of years. We are also screening our films in foreign cities these days. In the last few years, more than a dozen young directors have joined the industry to make meaningful cinema. We organise three international film festivals in Kathmandu. These are exciting times for Nepali cinema, but we can’t turn the table overnight.
Nepali movies have to compete with high-budget and high-tech Hindi and English movies both inside and outside the country. What should be the survival strategy for the Nepali film industry?
Nepali films have no comparison with Hollywood and Bollywood cinemas. Our films are unique on their own, it is not necessary to compete with others. We have our own style of filmmaking. We shouldn’t copy them to become like them. We need to focus on how we expand our audience and how we can reach out to them. Nepali culture, custom, lifestyle, emotion and issues are to be captured in our cinemas. I think if we inserted Nepaliness in our films, we can create our own niche.
As an actor, what kind of roles have you played so far and what are the kind of roles you expect to perform?
Audiences have watched me play romantic characters. In some movies, like in Homework, I did a double role of 75- and a 25-year-old men. Likewise, I have played the role of a drunkard. I have been satisfied with my roles. I am ready for any role if the story is fine and focused on Nepal.
Talking about your career graph, do you have any thought of becoming a director or taking on any other role apart from acting in future?
I am a man who doesn’t make plans for future. But, whatever I do will be related to the film industry. I have my own production house and will act in movies produced by my company.
How does one become an actor in Nepali film industry? What do you suggest to
aspiring actors who want to make a career in acting?
The ultimate purpose of life is to live. I suggest all to value life. Before coming to the industry, one needs to be prepared and have done their homework.
I suggest the youngsters to complete their education. Acting skills are a must, so one needs to attend some acting classes to sharpen his or her skills.
Physical appearance alone isn’t enough in cinema. Life and cinema are both challenges, so we must be prepared for them if we want to make a career out of acting.
You will have various goals and different challenges. Value your goals, plan accordingly, and fight the challenges.
Are you satisfied with the roles you are doing? Do you feel it’s time to make some changes?
Yes, I am totally satisfied with my roles. My roles are the only way Nepali audiences love and admire me. I need to improve myself. Time and cinema have changed, so I need to bring some changes to my roles too.
There is a large and sprawling Nepali community in Qatar, and many of your fans live here. Do you have special message for them?
Qatar is not only a destination for Nepali employees, it is also a major destination for artistes from Nepal. I request the community here to love Nepali films, to promote their culture, and to love their country.
Aaryan Sigdel. Right: Last year, Sigdel got the best actor award in an event organised by NEFTA in Asian Town.
