Why has the Nepali film sector not developed as an industry? To make a film worth more than Rs. 10 million, producers still have to risk their own homes/land. After all, why does the producer always have to take this risk when making a film costing crores? If a film with the largest investment fails, will the investor return to film production or not? If not, who will invest in the film? What business groups should be attracted to this sector to make film production easier? Who is responsible for developing the film sector as an industry?

These are the questions that have been raised in the debate that has been going on in the film industry for a long time. The only answer to these questions is that the private sector should also be attracted to film production. If the commercial houses have taken over film production, will the filmmakers be able to make films independently? Independent? Since there is no pressure to find money to make a film, the director can only handle the creative side and make a film. Especially in Nepal, there is still a lack of carefree investment in films. Before making a film, the director has the stress of finding a producer. Talents, tired of looking for investors for

films, are still carrying their beautiful stories on their backs. In such a situation, who should help create an environment for those talents to make films? The Film Development Board does not have a large budget to invest in films. And at such a time, filmmakers have no choice but to run after producers. Where else can producers be found so easily? That is why commercial film production is proving to be an iron fist for some. That is why investment from commercial houses has become important for filmmakers.

However, in Nepal, the private sector is only sporadically involved in film production. How is it that it is always involved? The commercial sector has not seen a big market in film production. In terms of market, Nepali film seems to be climbing at a snail's pace.

In the five-decade-long film history, 'Purna Bahadur's Sarangi' has finally shown a market of half a billion. In such a situation, the commercial house Golchha Group has also entered film production through 'Paran', which has become a matter of excitement for Nepali filmmakers. Shekhar Golchha of the Golchha Group has made his debut in film production by opening 'Biscope Production' with Ranjit Acharya. Box office report says-Biscope's investment in the first film was not wasted . The film has now entered every house in such a way that,  'Paran', which received less on the first/second day, is running with a houseful audience . 

Now the question arises, why was the Golchha group drawn to films, leaving behind many potential areas of investment ?

Even though he was drawn to films purely commercially, producer Golchha says that he entered the film industry through 'Biscope Cinema' with the urge to tell his own story . He is confident that the quality of Nepali films will increase with the increase in investment .

'Of course, when corporate houses come, the investment in films increases . If the investment increases, the quality of films increases . Nepali films were creative, but it seemed that there was a lack of investment . However, if the investment is increased, the impact on the creative side will increase,' says Golchha, 'Yes, there is still not a large investment market here . There is no position to raise the invested amount . However, with the idea that the market can also grow if the investment is made and managed well, we have formed a company called 'Biscope Cinema'.' 

Golchha knows that the film market in Nepal is very small . 90 percent of films are still not raising investment . Golchha argues that the market situation is like this because the quality of films has not improved . That is why he says that he came to this field to make a long journey by making quality films .

'If you don't make quality films, who will watch films ? Nowadays, it still seems difficult to earn money from films . However, I have kept a 'long-term vision' in film production,' he added  According to Golchha, ‘Biscope Cinema’ will focus on three aspects in the production of the film. First – not making a ‘copy-paste’ film. Second – not having dance/song scenes. Those who want to watch action, dance and sing can watch Hollywood/Bollywood. The second is to make a film on a family story, which also covers national issues.

‘After listening to Paran’s story, I felt that it is compatible with Nepali society. And it also has a market-oriented subject. Whether it is development or national issues, if there is no money, it will not be sustainable. On that basis, we chose the story of ‘Paran’. Again, the story of the film was good, it was a family issue. It also covers the burning issues of Nepal,’ Golchha tells the reason for choosing Paran’s story.

Ranjit Acharya and Golchha had planned to make a film through 'Biscope Cinema' in 2017. However, according to Ranjit, the script did not come as expected at that time. They listened to many scripts. Finally, after being drawn by the story of 'Paran', they made their debut in film production. Ranjit, who is also the CEO of Prism Advertising, started producing in collaboration with Golchha with the idea of ​​bringing professionalism to films. Two years ago, Deepak Acharya 'Kaku' had contacted Ranjit and narrated the story of a film. 'Paran' was made on that story.

Professional families should come to films - Filmmakers

Filmmakers seem excited when professional families start making films through 'Paran'. Actress Rekha Thapa believes that such a group should come to the film industry as the investment, market and commercialization increase when professional families join hands.

‘They have marketing ideas to take the film to the international market. That is why a business family should have come to film production. I am very happy, when the Golchha group came to the film industry, they came even later,’ said Rekha, ‘A single film has generated business worth crores here. Their arrival is positive for increasing, expanding and developing this market as an industry, I would like to welcome them.’

Rekha, who is also a producer, says that when such a family comes to invest, there is no financial burden on the creative person. They get time to work hard on the content of the film. ‘When a corporate group invests, the filmmaker does not have to worry about finding money. There is no fear of risk. They can focus on making quality films,’ Rekha adds.

Producer Ravindra Singh Baniya sees a difference between making films as an individual and as a commercial house. ‘We make films as a hobby.’ But, if a big house comes, they come with a long-term plan. Even if they lose half of their films, it doesn’t matter. When there is sustainable investment, professionalism also increases,’ said Ravindra, ‘We invest emotionally.’ But more than that, investing professionally gives better returns.’ Ravindra argues that such houses should use the talent within the country when making films. Ravindra says, ‘There are those who invest only in films.’ However, when a commercial house makes films, there should also be investment in skilled manpower.’

According to Ravindra, commercial houses should also invest in various aspects of the film industry, such as skilled manpower. New directors and actors should be given a place. Investment should also be spent on enhancing the capacity of the existing artists. Just as big studios opened abroad after the merger of business families. Similarly, 'Biscope Cinema', to become long-term, and to develop the film sector as an industry, Ravindra believes that they should invest in various dimensions other than films.

'The idea of ​​making a film worth 20 crores tomorrow is a bit far-fetched. It had to be curtailed earlier, but after they came, it can also be realized. There is a difference between gambling with 10 rupees and gambling with money that can last until morning. Now we are among those who have 10 rupees, and if we make that much money, we have to tighten the lid,' says Ravindra.

As Ravindra said, Biscope has not failed to invest in skilled manpower. Even though Golchha uses foreign artists in Biscope, he takes the stance that Nepali talent will be given a place in the technical department. 'We are in a position to take risks. A film flop does not affect me. We have the ability to take that risk. That is why we are looking for new talent. Yes, we will also take established artists in the film. But, as far as possible, we will also 'experiment' with new artists,' said Golchha. In 'Paraan' too, they seem to have taken a risk of Rs 43 million by trusting the new director. Producer Baniya emphasizes that the business houses should not only focus on the investment in the film but also on the investment in the film sector. 'We are greedy that they will stay here for a long time. We cannot do it by cheating, we have to see the potential in this sector. There is 90 percent risk here compared to other sectors. The government had to ensure the investment they make,' says Ravindra. 'Entertainment is soft power, after all. This sector should be understood by all industries and the government. This industry generates income even in a short time.'

Actress Thapa says that the business family should also consider the film sector as a serious investment and plan a long-term journey. 'If you take it a little seriously, you can do business worth crores here. Kabaddi, Chhakka-Panja versions earned money. That is why I wish investors like them to continue producing films,' said Rekha.

Even before this, Chaudhary Group's CG Entertainment had made its debut in production with the film 'Visa Girl'. However, since then, such a big business family of the country has not repeated in production. At that time, actress Richa Sharma and actor Vinay Shrestha had submitted a production proposal to Chaudhary Group. They did invest in the film, but 'Visa Girl' flopped. Since then, the topic of making a film by CG has been raised, but there has never been any concrete result. Actress Richa Sharma, who inspired Basant Chaudhary to invest in the film, says that business groups like them should come into film production.

'It is very good that a big corporate house comes into the film industry. If they can open a studio and make 10-12 films a year and give space to new talent, that is a good thing for the Nepali film industry. If they bring the corporate style here, it will be even better,' Richa said, 'If the film they make is successful, others will also see a market in this sector. That will attract other corporate houses. That is also a happy thing for us.'

Why didn't the Chaudhary Group repeat its role in film production? Richa also doesn't know the specific reason. 'We had kept everything transparent. But, I don't know why they didn't come. But, the Chaudhary Group should also return to film production,' Richa said.

'Basudev' was made with Binod Chaudhary's personal investment. Basanta Chaudhary made 'Visa Girl' through CG Entertainment. Directly/indirectly, many business people are also investing in the film. Rajendra Shakya in 'Gun Group' is a businessman who is involved in Rekha's film. QFX, the biggest channel in the hall, also made the film a few years ago. 'Visa Girl' director Prachandaman Shrestha believes that such families should not only invest purely but also bring in 'corporate structure'.

'Looking at finance in the corporate structure, having a script writer and a creative head becomes a corporate style. But, many times before today, businessmen have come in the style of saying, "Let's invest for a while and see," Prachanda said, "But, the arrival of a corporate house should be like the arrival of Disney and Geo in America. Where, they open studios and hire creative heads. Where the script can be narrated to the script head, they should give advice on that script and turn it into a film."

Prachanda adds, "The corporate style should come in the culture of film production now. So far, only investment has been made in films, corporate investment has not come." Filmmakers hope that the development of corporate culture (business culture) in the film sector will increase when commercial houses come into film production.

What is 'corporate culture'?

In particular, this time 'Biscop' has practiced a certain percentage of 'corporate culture'. खासमा 'बाइस्कोप'मा दीपक आचार्यलगायत थुप्रै समूह स्क्रिप्ट सुनाउन पुगेका रहेछन् । तर, कथा सुनाउने बित्तिकै ‘परान’माथि फिल्म बनेको होइन । दीपकलाई गोल्छा र आचार्यले कथाको ‘प्रिजेन्टेसन’ दिन लगाएका थिए । फेरि, फिल्म बनाउने जुन हतारो व्यवसायिक फिल्ममा हुनेगर्छ । त्यसरी हतारमा फिल्म बनाउने योजना उनीहरुको थिएन । त्यसैले उनीहरुले समय लगाएर फिल्म गरे । फिल्म निर्माणको निश्चित अवधि तोकिएको थियो, त्यहि समयावधिमै फिल्म प्रदर्शनमा आयो । 

छायांकनकै क्रममा कलाकारलाई चिसो लाग्ला भन्ने डर भएपछि दुई सेड्यूलमा फिल्म खिचिएको थियो । बजेट बढ्ने चिन्ता ‘बाइस्कोप सिनेमा’लाई थिएन । आर्थिक कारोबारमा पारदर्शीता अपनाएका थिए । ‘हो, हामी पहिलो कर्पोरेट हाउस होइनौं जो फिल्म निर्माणमा होमिएको छ । तर, मलाई लाग्छ एउटा प्रोडक्सन कम्पनी नै बनाएर आउने हामी पहिलो हौं । तर, कर्पोरेट हाउस फिल्म निर्माणमा आउँदा त्यहाँ फरकपन देखिन्छ । हामीले गर्ने सम्झौता सबै पारदर्शी हुन्छन् । हामी पारदर्शी रुपले नै काम गर्न चाहन्छौं । सायद यो पनि फिल्म क्षेत्रका लागि नौलो विषय होला,’ गोल्छा दाबी गर्छन्, 'हामीले ‘बाइस्कोप सिनेमा’लाई प्रोडक्सन हाउसको रुपमा विकास गर्ने, अनि फिल्म निर्माण गरिरहने सोचेका छौं । वर्षमा २-३ फिल्म बनाउनेछौं । समग्रमा एउटा विश्वासिलो प्रोडक्सन हाउस नै निर्माण गर्न चाहन्छु ।'