Shiva Regmi (Nepali: शिव रेग्मी) (1965 – 9 December 2013) was a Nepali film director, producer and screenwriter. His debut film as a director was Aafanta, which was released in 1999, and his last film was So Simple, which was released in 2012.[2] He has worked on over one hundred films.[3] Regmi received the National Film Awards for best director in 2010 for his work on the film Duniya, and again in 2012 for his work on Kaha Bhetiyela. In 2013, he won the National Film Awards for best writer for his work on the film Hasi Deu Ek Phera.[4][3] He is regarded as one of Nepal's earliest filmmakers to give female characters some significant roles at a time when traditional audiences tended to see the male lead as the only significant character in a movie.[5]

Shiva Regmi
शिव रेग्मी
Regmi at Press Conference for Hasi Deu Ek Fera
Born2021 BS (CE 1965)
Chitwan, Nepal
Died (aged 49)[1]
Kathmandu, Nepal
Years active1991–2013
Notable workAafanta, Duniya, Hami Tin Bhai, Muglan, Kaha Bhetiyela
Spouse
Gyanu Regmi
(m. 1985)

Career edit

Early career edit

Born in Chitwan, Nepal, Regmi started his career as a theatrical actor, director and writer. He worked at Narayani kala mandir for many years, writing, directing and acting in many of his own plays. He won the National award for best drama writer for Swades Bhitra Harayeko Nagarik in 1993.[citation needed] This play, along with Pukaar brought Regmi national attention, and both were performed widely throughout Nepal. His first film work was as a writer for Prem Puja but he did not receive wide recognition as a film writer until his success with Mohoni. After writing the scripts for several movies he debuted as a director with Aafanta. He followed this with several more films, including Aafno Manchhe, Yeh Mero Hajur, Sukha Dukha, Haami Teen Bhai, Kaha Bhetiyela and many more.[6] After this he wrote scripts for many movies like Allare, Dahijo, Maiti, Gorkhali, Dharti and so on. He also appeared as a supporting actor in Sindoor Poote along with Rajesh Hamal.

Mainstream breakthrough (1999–2002) edit

 
Regmi receiving lux film award 2003 for best director for Sukha dukha

In 1999 Regmi's most ambitious script, Aafanta, was rejected by many directors, so he chose to direct the film himself. After the success of Aafanta, he reassembled the cast for Aafno Manchhe, but this time he included Dilip Rayamajhi and Bipana Thapa in the lead. Aafno Manchhe was the huge success, and is counted among the biggest hit movies of Nepali film cinema.[citation needed] He got Film Awards for Best Dialogue for the movie. His next film was Ye Mero Hajur. He again turned to star Shree Krishna Shrestha; the movie was a box office hit.[citation needed] In 2002 he directed Sukha Dukha: an emotional family drama which was again a huge hit at the box office.[citation needed] He received the Lux Award[clarification needed] for best director and motion picture award for best story.[citation needed]

Regmi's experimental movie Paahuna was a moderate success and Upahaar was a flop that came in 2004. In 2004 he returned with big hit movies like Hami Tin Bhai and Muglaan. Nikhil Upreti got his first national award for best actor for his performance in Haami Teen Bhai. Regmi's first films as a producer, Maanis and Duniya, were box office failures although both were critically acclaimed. Regmi received the NEFTA award for best director for Maanis[7] and his first national award for best director for Duniya in 2005.[4] His next movies, Ram Balram and Yuddha were below average at box office. But in 2008 his MaHa project Kaha Bhetiyela was one of the biggest hits of his career; he received his second national award for best director and NEFTA award for best popular director of 2008. His first movie with MaHa (Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya) in 2010 was below average but he received his third national award for best writer. Saathi Ma Timro in 2011 was a box office success. His new film Phool released on 4 May 2012. So simple was released on the festival eve of Bada dashain along with other 3 movies. Box office report was below the mark but Regmi was critically praised for his work. While his latest projects, Mann Le Mann Lai Chhunchha and Paraai released later in 2013.

Shiva Regmi's Plays edit

Year Play Role Cast Venue
1991 Nepali Khai Director, writer Kamal shrestha
Puspa Acharya
Janardan Dhakal
Prem shrestha
Laxman Nepal
Shahid chwok
Narayani kala mandir(1997)(Chitwan)
1991 BhatteKaji ko Sapana Director, writer Kamal Shrestha
Prem Sharma
Baburam Dawadi
Radhika lama
Laxman Nepal
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1991 Sahara Director, writer Kamal Shrestha
Hom poudel
Radhika lama
Ishwori Baral
Prakash Karmacharya
Sharda Gurung
Raju Shrestha
Rama Basnet
Krishna Puri
Baburam dawadi
Narayani kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1991 Hatya Director Prem Sharma
Bina prajapati
Bimal poudel
Laxman Nepal
Narayani kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1992 Manchan Huna Nasakeko Natak Director Prem Sharma
Bina Prajapati
Saroj Shrestha
Prakash Karmacharya
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1992 Pukar Director, writer Ganesh Upreti
Baburam Dawadi
Prem Sharma
Krishna puri
Bimal poudel
Laxman Nepla
Samir Thapa
Kamal shrestha
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
Pragya Pratistan(kathmandu)
1993 Swades Bhitra Harayeko Nagarik Director, writer Kamal shrestha
Radhika Lama
Prem Sharma
Prem shrestha
Laxman Nepal
Bimal Poudel
Ganesh Upreti
Pawan k.c(Child artist)
Prakash Karmacharya
Hom Poudel
Sharda gurung
Shahid chwok
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
Pragya Pratistan(kathmandu)
(Won 4 Awards in National Play Festival in Pragya Pratisthan, Kamaladi, Kathmandu)
Shiva Regmi(Best writer)
Laxam Nepal(Supported Actor)
Pawan k.c(child actor)
Radika lama
1994 Yatri(Musical play-Laxmi Prasad Devkota) Director
Puspa Archarya
Kamal Shrestha
Manoj Lama
Anita Gurung
Kishor Chawdary
Pradeep kumal
Tara Dhakal
Purnimal Shrestha
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1994 Bhanubhakta ra Ghaasi Director, writer Kamal Shrestha
Puspa Shrestha
Narayani kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1994 Kramasha Director, writer Kamal shrestha
Himraj Poudel
Bimal poudel
Laxman Nepal
Prem Sharma
Narayani kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1994 Yo Kasto Jwaai Director, writer, actor Shiva Regmi
Laxman Nepal
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1994 Shreemati Ko Ausadi Director, writer, actor Shiva Regmi
Puspa Acharya
Prem Sharma
Krishna puri
Dilu Shahi
Bina Prajapati
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)
1996 Maato Boldaina Director, writer, actor Radhika Lama
Kamal Shrestha
Puspa Acharya
Pradeep Kumal
Laxmi gurung
Narayani Kala Mandir(Chitwan)

Filmography edit

Year Movie Role Cast Note
1999 Aafanta Director, writer Shree Krishna Shrestha
Niruta Singh
2001 Afno Manchhe Director, writer Bipana Thapa
Dilip Rayamajhi
Shree Krishna Shrestha
Niruta Singh
Motion Pictures Awards for Best Dialogue[citation needed]
2002 A Mero Hajur Director, writer Shree Krishna Shrestha
Jharana Thapa
2002 Sukha Dukha Director, writer Shree Krishna Shrestha
Jharana Thapa
Madan Krishna Shrestha
Lux Film Awards for Best Director[citation needed]
2003 Upahaar Director Niruta Singh
Uttam Pradhan
Sushil Chhetri
2003 Paahuna Director, writer Shree Krishna Shrestha
Jharana Thapa
  • Best Child Artist Sushmita Regmi for Pahuna
2004 Haami Tin Bhai Director, writer Rajesh Hamal
Shree Krishna Shrestha
Nikhil Upreti
Jharana Thapa
Rekha Thapa
2004 Muglaan Director, writer Jharana Thapa
Dilip Rayamajhi
Bipana Thapa
  • Best Lyricist: Suresh Adhikari for Muglan
2005 Duniya Director, writer Bhuwan K.C.
Tripti Nadakar
Niruta Singh
Nikhil Upreti
National Film Awards for Best Director[3]
2006 Maanis Director, producer, writer Bhuwan K.C.
Nikhil Upreti
Ramit Dhungana
Bipana Thapa
Dilip Rayamajhi
NEFTA Awards for Best Director[4]
2007 Yuddha Director Nikhil Upreti
Shiva Shrestha
Sanchita Luitel
2007 Ram Balram Director Nikhil Upreti
Shree Krishna Shrestha
Jharana Thapa
Sanchita Luitel
2008 Kaha Bhetiyela Director, writer Shree Krishna Shrestha
Shewta Khadka
National Film Awards for Best Director[4][3]

NEFTA awards for best director[citation needed]

2009 Haasi Deu Ek Phera Director, writer Madan Krishna Shrestha
Hari Bansha Acharya
Shweta Khadka
Raj Ballav Koirala
National Film Awards for Best Writer[4][3]
2011 Sathi Ma Timro Director, writer Bhuwan K.C.
Rekha Thapa
2012 Phool Director
2012 Mann Le Mann Lai Chhunchha Director Garima Panta
2012 Parai Director Niraj Baral
Garima Panta
2012 So Simple Director Raj Ballav Koirala
Pramod Bhardwaj
Bhawana Regmi
Shewta Bhattarai

Aafanta

Immense love for cinema brought Regmi to mainstream movie-making from plays. He was always sure about the theme of his movie to be social drama. Movie was praised especially for the good story and strong performance of Shree krishna shrestha and Niruta singh. Niruta singh won Motion picture award for best actress that year(2000A.D) from this movie. Regmi was acknowledged with the best story and best director nomination. The movie was a smashed hit. Songs like pauju ko chham chham is still hit among cine lovers.

Aafno Manchhe

Regmi reunited with Shree Krishna Shrestha and Niruta Singh along with Bipana Thapa and Dilip Rayamajhi with social drama story. This movie is taken as one of the cult masala movie in Nepali film industry. This movie is considered as all-time blockbuster movie of Nepal. It recorded 51 days celebration in 9 cinema theatre in Kathmandu only and 100 days run in various places in Nepal. Chatta rumal kya malum song had created euphoria in Nepal. This song was recreated in 2019 in movie Yatra, which was again a huge hit song.[8] Regmi won his first prominent award, Motion pictures award for best dialogue and gained the nomination for best direction.

Haami Teen Bhai[citation needed]

The film features three of biggest Superstar actors of late 90s and 2000s era- Rajesh Hamal, Shree Krishna Shrestha and Nikhil Upreti in the lead roles supported by Rekha Thapa, Jharana Thapa, Nandita KC, Keshab Bhattrai, Sushila Rayamajhi, Ravi Giri etc. The movie was critically and commercially successful, with many critics highlighting its screenplay, music comedy and the actors' performance especially of its lead actors but over the top action scenes were criticized. It is one of the highest-grossing films in Nepali film history . It is considered a classic movie by fans. Nikhil Upreti received the Best Actor in First National Films Award 2062 BS for the role of younger brother Laxman/Abhishek.[9]

Personal edit

Shiva Raj Regmi is the eldest son of Late Khaga Raj Regmi and Bhakta Maya Regmi. He was born in Baraghare in Chitwan District, Nepal in 1965. He spent his childhood in Chitwan and Gorkha with Ankit Regmi. He married Gyanu Regmi in 1985; together they have four children: Samjhana, Bhanawan, Abhishesh and Pallabi Regmi. Bhawana Regmi has started her own film career, appearing in So Simple, directed by Shiva Regmi.

Death edit

In March 2013, Regmi was admitted to Om Hospital in Kathmandu due to general illness symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. During a health checkup, it was discovered that his creatinine levels were high and recommended for peritoneal dialysis in May 2013.

In August 2013, Regmi experienced a stroke and had transient loss of vision . On August 14, 2013, he traveled to Delhi, India, for further treatment at Sir Gangaram Hospital. The doctors there advised him to take anti-tubercular drugs due to persistent fever of unknown origin and his compromised immune system. Regmi returned to Nepal after a two-week stay in India.

A renal transplant was scheduled for November 14, 2013. However, in October 2013, he had a seizure, and the cause remained undiagnosed. A few days later, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left half of his body (hemiplegia). Wanting to visit his hometown of Chitwan, he was transported there by ambulance. After a few days, he experienced difficulty breathing and was taken to CMS Hospital in Chitwan. Unfortunately, due to the Laxmi Puja period, doctors were not available. After five days, he was diagnosed with nosocomial pneumonia. Ventilatory support was provided on November 7. Despite unsuccessful treatment attempts at CMS Hospital, Regmi was airlifted to Vayoda Hospital in Balkhu, Kathmandu, on November 27. The plan was to transfer him to Max Hospital in Delhi, India, on December 9. However, he succumbed to kidney failure on December 9, 2013, at the age of 49 in Kathmandu. [10][11][12]

legacy edit

Regmi,left behind a remarkable legacy that continues to resonate in the Nepali film industry even after his passing. Regmi's contribution to the industry is evident in his successful films, particularly his directorial masterpiece, "Ye Mero Hajur," which has spawned multiple sequels and become a beloved franchise.

After Shiva Regmi's death, his directed movie "Ye Mero Hajur" captivated audiences and achieved tremendous success at the box office. The film resonated so well with viewers that it led to the creation of sequels, namely "Ye Mero Hajur 2," "Ye Mero Hajur 3," and "Ye Mero Hajur 4." Each of these subsequent installments proved to be box office hits, carrying forward the essence and popularity of the original film.

One notable aspect that connects the sequels to the original "Ye Mero Hajur" is the inclusion of the iconic song "Fulako Thunga Houki." This song, with its melodious tune and meaningful lyrics, struck a chord with audiences and became a timeless piece in the Nepali film industry. Its presence in the sequels further solidified the connection between the films and continued to enchant fans.

Beyond "Ye Mero Hajur," Shiva Regmi's filmography boasts several other noteworthy contributions that have garnered a cult following over time. Movies such as "Hami Teen Bhai," "Sukha Dukha," "Aafno Manchhe," and "Kaha Bhetiyela" have emerged as cult classics in the Nepali film industry. These films, each unique in its storytelling and thematic exploration, have resonated with audiences and have stood the test of time.

Regmi's films are cherished for their engaging narratives, relatable characters, and emotional depth. They often delve into societal issues and touch upon human emotions, striking a chord with viewers on a personal level. Through his directorial prowess, Shiva Regmi left an indelible mark on Nepali cinema, shaping its landscape and contributing to its artistic growth.

Shiva Regmi's legacy continues to inspire and influence aspiring filmmakers in Nepal. His work serves as a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact that films can have on society. The enduring popularity of his films, including the "Ye Mero Hajur" franchise and his other cult classics, is a testament to the lasting impact of his creative vision. Shiva Regmi will always be remembered as a visionary filmmaker who touched the hearts of millions with his storytelling prowess and contributed significantly to the Nepali film industry.

References edit

  1. ^ "Film director Shiva Regmi passes away". The Himalayan Times. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Hasi Deu Ek Fera – positive reviews on the release day". Movies Nepal. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Shiva Regmi details on Film Development Board". Film Development Board. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Familiar famous faces take home National Film Awards". Himalayan Times. Himalayan News Service. 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013.
  5. ^ "महिला प्रधान फिल्म किन बन्दैनन् ?". Khabarhub (in Nepali). 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022. किनकि आफैं फिल्म लेखक भएकाले पनि निर्देशक रेग्मी विशेषत महिला चरित्रलाई पर्दामा शक्तिशाली रुपमा प्रस्तुत गर्थे। महिलाको पीडालाई देखाउँथे। उनका अधिकांश फिल्म 'हिट' हुनुमा महिला पात्रको प्रस्तूतिलाई पनि आधार मानिन्थ्यो।
  6. ^ गौतम, प्रभाकर (10 December 2021). "निर्देशक शिव रेग्मीका २ सुपरहिट फिल्म, हेर्नुहोस् युट्युबमा". Setopati (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Emami Fair & Handsome Film Award 2064". CitySightings. eNasha.com. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  8. ^ श्रेष्ठ, सुजन. "'Chatta Rumal Kya Malum' in Yatra". Newspage3.com. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Actor Nikhil Upreti – Boss Nepal". Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  10. ^ आवाज, विजय (9 December 2013). "'भगवान तिमी मान्छे भै हेर, जिन्दगी तलाई मैले चिन्नै सकिन'". Online Khabar (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  11. ^ Film director Shiva Regmi passes away The Himalayan Times
  12. ^ "Director Shiva Regmi no more". Kantipur. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2021.

External links edit