Nepali movie industry is gradually evolving, thanks to the introduction of numerous new-age filmmakers. More than ever, film enthusiasts are pursuing cinema as a mainstream profession. Oscar International College plays a predominant role in helping establish film-making as a full-time profession. The school admits approximately 100 students, and the same number of graduates moves on to try their hands in the film industry every year. Among such student, few stand out from the rest and also receive international acclamation. Nawa Bijaya Shrestha, an aspiring director, filmmaker, and photographer is one of such students.
Shrestha was engaged in another profession before engaging in the film sector. He was also studying to start a career in the food nutrition industry from Denmark. Nonetheless, he states he was always captivated by the magic of cinema since an early age.
“I have always been a movie buff. Tight close-up shot of the heroes wowed me. I also dreamed to have a close-up shot taken,” he recalls. “I had talked to mom about my interest in the acting sector and asked her for the permission to learn acting in Gurukul; she declined my request.”
Saugat as theater artist in ‘Panche Baja’
Fed up with the hectic and busy European lifestyle, Shrestha returned to Nepal and joined Oscar College. He was already married to his childhood friend before joining the college. He says, “My wife was selected as the second lieutenant in the Nepal Army. With her help, I enrolled myself at Oscar.”
In the beginning, he did not have any idea about the cinema business, but due to his obsession for filmmaking, he gradually learned the tricks of the trade. In the first year, his project was selected for the annual Thailand International Film Destination Festival of 2015. ‘Magic Trang’, a short movie he directed, also bagged the Outstanding Presentation Award in that competition.
Shrestha is also an established name in Nepal’s theater scenario. He puts ‘A Night with Mao’ as the highlight of his theatre career. The play was directed by prominent Hollywood Actor Robert Lin for Nepal’s Theatre Village, and Calcutta’s Rangapeeth Natyashala recitals.
At present, Shrestha is engaged as the Academic Coordinator at Oscar International College. Currently, he puts on the hat of an academician and is geared toward enhancing the academic sector rather than making short-movie. “I devote most of my time to the college. Currently, I dream to increase productivity through the academics,” he shared.
