Nakim Uddin -

The man who revolutionized Nepali entertainment business, Nakim Uddin is the Chairman of QFX cinemas.

“I never dreamt of coming to the entertainment business, but since my childhood, I always watched movies once every week at Nava Durga, Jai Nepal, Ranjana hall or Ashok. Even while I was abroad, I made sure to go down and watch a movie once in a while. When I got an opportunity, I just took it and now here I am”. We ask the man with many experiences about his Kathmandu:

Kathmandu is
For me, it’s my hometown

Where did you grow up and what is your fondest memory of the old Kathmandu?
I grew up in inner Kathmandu. From my young days, I remember a lot of jatras taking place in our locality. As a kid we used to roam around the bals, watching the Lakhey dancers perform.

If you could bring back one aspect of Kathmandu what would it be?
I personally feel that after the Maoist insurgency, a lot of people started settling in Kathmandu. The city has been designed for only a certain number for people like half a million, but now it is holding more people than its capacity. Traffic congestion, water scarcity, etc. have thus resulted. I wish Kathmandu would do back to being its self like it was before the insurgency.

What is the best part about the new Kathmandu?
New Kathmandu brings a lot of opportunities. As a entertainment businessman, I should exemplify this—if there were not this many people, we could not meet the gross margin.

If you could change one thing about Kathmandu what would it be?
Heritage sites’ conservation. The Durbar squares, the Mosque, temples should be focal points. However, they are being overshadowed by large incomplete structures.

Do you think the responsible bodies are taking the necessary steps conserving these sites?
I don’t think so, the only place that has been well preserved is the Bhaktapur area, but the rest require a lot of attention.

How do you think the traffic could be managed?
With the whole road widening project, the traffic situation is becoming much worse. There is so much of demolition going. There is dust everywhere and the sight is definitely not visually appealing. Much is to be done.

What advice would you give a tourist visiting the city?
I would tell them that there is not much in the city and advise them to take care of their health.

Which part of Kathmandu do you think truly represents the spirit of the city?
All the Durbar squares—Patan, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, and the inner part of the city like Asan, Chettrapati and Jhochen.

Where will we usually find you in Kathmandu?
These days I like to hang around the Jhamel area.

So which restaurants do you prefer in Jhamsikhel area?
I like Moksh. I think it has a good ambience and the food is good. Also there is Lakpa’s Chulo, which is a traditional Nepali style house renovated into a restaurant.

If not Kathmandu where would you be?
When I was doing my silver jewelry business, I had to travel to many places in Asia, Europe, and Australia. I used to think if not Kathmandu where would I be? The answer was pretty clear, I would be in Australia. I think it is a beautiful place with a lot of opportunities.

What do you miss most about Kathmandu when you are traveling?
When we travel for more than a week, we start missing Kathmandu, but once we come back we start cursing the place. I miss every corner of Kathmandu and definitely the food.

What is the most surprising aspect of the city?
We are blessed with an amazing weather.

Have you made any plans regarding another QFX chain?
We are in the verge of opening new QFX in Patan. We are just in the process of construction.

What is on your wish list?
I wish to run for the mayor post and take care of Kathmandu.

How would you like to be remembered?
Hardworking entrepreneur and a very concerned Nepali.