"Peace should come from within a person" - Basundhara Bhushal

Draped in a beautiful red chiffon sari, she can put women half her age to shame yet she remains as humble and wise as a sage. Every line of her face and the ocean of emotions that lay within her eyes, tells us the she has survived malevolent storms to reach where she is today. A woman who did not deter from her passion, Basundhara Bhushal, is a name which is instantly recognised by every Nepali film lover. In this edition, she shares with L&T why she loves being in love with this city:

Kathmandu is
I feel extremely lucky to call it my birth place.

Is there any particular place that carries your fondest memory?
I always fondly remember Dhobichaur at Chhetrapati. I spent most of my childhood there and some of my lasting friendships are attached to that place. I stepped into my career while I lived there so, it holds a special place in my heart.

What would a day in the life of Basundhara Bhushal be like?
As soon as I wake up, I head to the prayer room. That takes up most of my morning. If I am free, then I like to visit my relatives and make time for work related meetings. I often get a lot of calls so I tend to that as well. Right now, my focus has been on completing some construction works, so I have temporarily halted my shooting schedules.

What do you miss most about Kathmandu when you are travelling?
I miss daal-bhaat the most. There is a unique taste about the daal-bhaat that is cooked here that cannot be found elsewhere.

What advice would you give a tourist visiting this city?
I would urge them to visit all the historical landmarks of not just Kathmandu but places outside of the Valley as well. I feel that our country has so much to offer to their unknown eyes.

What do you like to do when you are free?
I like to spend quality time with my relatives and visit sick ones. Unfortunately, as I don’t get to do that very often hence, I like spending time with my family.

How many years has it been since you started your journey?
I would like to say that I learnt my craft from theatre—I was born there. I started my journey from 2014 BS as a child artist and as an adult I commenced my career from Aama. Now, it has been 50 years of living the life of an artist.

When you look back, what memories do you recollect the most?
When I began my career, I had to put up with a lot of negative comments from the society and sometimes, even get beaten from my home. However, I was determined to prove myself because I devoted towards my art. In all of these years, I have faced many storms in my life. If I were not strong enough to face these struggles then my audience would not have known Basundhara Bhushal today. I have no intention to abandon my passion. Even if I knew I were to die soon, I will fulfil my duty as an artist before I close my eyes.

How do you escape regular Kathmandu’s grind?
I do not believe in going to various places to seek peace. I think peace should come from within a person. If that can be achieved then you are at peace everywhere you go.

Kathmandu’s must visit places
There are so many facets of Kathmandu. It would be unfair of me to pinpoint the places. This city is fascinating from Pashupatinath to Swayambhu and Kakani to Bhaktapur.

What comes to your mind when people remember nakkali and chankhey?
I used to get upset when people called me ‘nakkali’. These days however, I realize that is pure adoration of the audience. So, I feel genuinely happy. Even before the pairing, people liked me when I had to say the dialogue “Eh raatai!” in Aama. Today, when these names are mentioned, I really miss the presence and guidance of Gopal Raj Mainali.

What is your opinion on the piracy of Nepali movies?
This is an extremely stressful concern because people sell their land/houses to produce a movie. It is not only about the money, but people invest their hard work into making one. There are many people who are at disadvantage if this continues. I also feel deeply concerned about the kinds of cinema that are being made today. Our cinema should reflect our cultural values and an artist should win people’s heart with her/his talent that I feel is lacking. Instead of moving forward, we are re-tracing our steps back.

The best piece of advice you have been given?
There was a moment when my children said to me, “please don’t act in movies anymore because everyone teases us saying we are Nakkali’s children”. When my husband heard it, he made them understand that this is my talent and my passion. Till today, he gives me some of the best pieces of advice.

How would you like to be remembered?
I am the kind of person who tries to share people’s sorrow even if I cannot help them monetarily. I would like to be remembered as a happy-go-lucky person who could bring smiles to people’s faces. If not anything, I wish to be remembered me as a companion who stayed with them through the good times and the bad.