Nischal Basnet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nischal Basnet
निस्चल बस्नेत
Basnet in 2022
Nationality	Nepali
Occupation	Actor singer producer
Years active	2012–present
Known for	Loot Loot 2
Notable work	Loot (2012)  · Talakjung vs Tulke (2014) · Loot 2 (2017)  · Dui Rupaiyan (2017) · Ghamad Shere (2019)
Spouse(s)	Swastima Khadka ​ (m. 2016)​

Nischal Basnet (Nepali: निश्चल बस्नेत) is a famous Nepali director, writer, actor, and playback singer. He mainly works in Nepali movies. Many people think he is one of the best directors in Nepali cinema. He is known for bringing new ideas to Nepali films. He shows real-life challenges in a funny and sometimes serious way.

Basnet has directed three movies: Loot (2012), Talakjung vs Tulke (2014), and Loot 2 (2017). He has also acted in many films. Some of his acting roles include Kabaddi (2014), Dui Rupaiyan (2017), and Prasad (2018). He also appeared in Dimag Kharab (2023) and Behuli From Meghauli (2024).

Basnet started as a director with the crime-thriller Loot. This movie became very popular and earned a lot of money. It helped change how Nepali films were made. After directing, he started acting in the movie Uma (2013). Later, he directed Talakjung vs Tulke, a dark comedy. This film was praised by critics and did well at the box office. It was even chosen to represent Nepal at the Oscars.

Nischal Basnet has won many awards for his work. These include the DCine Award for Best New Director. He also won a National Film Award for Best Director. He is married to the Nepali actress Swastima Khadka since 2016.

Nischal Basnet: A Nepali Film Star

His Journey in Film

Starting His Film Career

Before becoming a director in 2012, Basnet did not plan to make movies. He felt disappointed by Nepali films in 2009. He decided he wanted to make a better film within five years. To learn about filmmaking, he read books and used the internet.

In 2009, he directed a short film called Innocent. This film was about gun culture in Kathmandu. However, the film had problems during editing. Basnet said he was too new to filmmaking at that time. He does not plan to release this early film.

Directing and Acting Success

Basnet's first movie released was Loot in 2012. It was a crime-thriller set in Kathmandu, Nepal. The story was about five young men who needed money badly. The film won several awards, including Best Actor and Best Editing. Basnet also sang a song for the movie, "Udhreko Choli". Loot was a huge success, earning about NPR 25.5 million. It became a very popular movie.

After directing Loot, Basnet started acting. He appeared in Uma (2013) and Kabaddi (2014). In Kabaddi, he played Bibek, a main character. His acting in this movie was well-received.

In 2014, Basnet directed Talakjung vs Tulke. This dark comedy was set during the Nepalese Civil War (1996-2006). The movie was successful and praised by critics. Basnet won a National Film Award for Best Director for this film. Talakjung vs Tulke was chosen to represent Nepal at the 88th Academy Awards. Although it was not nominated, Basnet felt proud that his film was chosen. After this, Basnet acted in Kabaddi Kabaddi (2015). He also made a special appearance in Zindagi Rocks (2015).

Continuing His Film Journey

In 2017, Basnet directed Loot 2, a sequel to his first hit movie. It took a long time to write the story for the sequel. The movie featured the original actors from Loot and some new ones. Loot 2 was also a big success, earning NPR 78.5 million. Critics noted that Basnet tried to make Loot 2 even better than the first film.

In the same year, Basnet acted in the comedy-drama Dui Rupaiyan (2017). He played a character named Jureli. He also sang a song called "Talkyo Jawani" for the movie's soundtrack. Later, Basnet appeared in the romantic drama Prasad. He played Ramesh, a character who causes problems for a couple. Critics praised his acting in this role. In 2019, Basnet announced his film Ghamad Shere. This movie stars Basnet, Swastima Khadka, Sushma Niraula, and Gauri Malla.

In 2024, Basnet and his wife, Swastima Khadka, produced and starred in Behuli from Meghauli. This film also did well.

The Nepalese actress Swastima Khadka, Basnet's wife, in May 2019

His Life Outside Films

Before movies, Basnet wanted to be a footballer. He even joined a club, but it did not work out. He then wanted to be a musician. He loved singing since he was a child. He recorded some songs, but they were lost. His mother wanted him to be a doctor or an army officer. He almost joined the military, but that plan also changed.

Basnet studied at Oscar International College of Film Studies in Kathmandu. He later went to Australia to study 3D animation. However, he changed to hospitality and became a chef. He did many jobs in hospitality, from washing dishes to cleaning floors. He felt he was not making progress, so he returned to Nepal.

In his free time, Basnet enjoys bicycling. He says riding a bike gives him a special feeling. On December 14, 2015, Basnet and Swastima Khadka got engaged. They married on February 17, 2016, in a private ceremony. In 2019, they received an "Ideal Couple" award from the mayor of Lalitpur.

Awards and Recognitions

Basnet has won several awards for his work. He has two Dcine Awards. One is for Best New Director, and the other is for Best Cameo Role. He was also nominated for the Dcine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role. He won a National Film Award for Best Director. He was also nominated for Best Actor in a Negative Role at the Kamana Film Awards.

Filmography