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 director, writer, actor, and singer from Nepal. He is known for making movies for the Nepali cinema. Many people think he is one of the best directors in Nepal. He is famous for changing Nepali movies by making them more realistic, and he often uses comedy to tell stories about social issues in Nepal.

Basnet has directed three popular movies: Loot (2012), Talakjung vs Tulke (2014), and Loot 2 (2017). He has also acted in many films, including Kabaddi (2014), Dui Rupaiyan (2017), Prasad (2018), and Behuli From Meghauli (2024).

His first movie as a director was the crime story Loot. It became a huge success and was the highest-grossing Nepali film of its time. The movie was so popular that it encouraged more people to watch Nepali films. After directing, he started acting in the movie Uma (2013). Later, he directed Talakjung vs Tulke, which was also a big hit. This film was chosen to represent Nepal at the famous Academy Awards, although it was not nominated.

Basnet has won many awards for his work. He won the DCine Award for Best Debut Director and a National Film Award for Best Director. He has been married to Nepali actress Swastima Khadka since 2016.

Career

2012–2015: A New Director and Actor

Before he started making movies, Nischal Basnet felt that many Nepali films were not very exciting. In 2009, he decided he wanted to make his own movies. He learned about filmmaking by reading books and searching online. He even directed a short film called Innocent, which was about social problems in Kathmandu. However, he had trouble finishing the film because he was still learning.

In 2012, Basnet released his first major film, Loot. It's a crime movie about five young men who need money. The film was a huge hit and won several National Film Awards. Basnet also sang a popular song for the movie with singer Indira Joshi. Loot became a blockbuster, which means it was very successful at the box office.

After the success of Loot, Basnet began acting. He appeared in the movies Uma (2013) and Kabaddi (2014). In Kabaddi, he played a main character named Bibek, and many people liked his performance.

In 2014, he directed Talakjung vs Tulke. This movie is a dark comedy that takes place during the Nepalese Civil War. The film was very successful and won Basnet a National Film Award for Best Director. It was also selected as Nepal's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.

2017–Present: More Hit Movies

In 2017, Basnet directed Loot 2, the sequel to his first hit movie. The original actors returned, and new actors like Bipin Karki joined the cast. Just like the first film, Loot 2 was a blockbuster and made a lot of money. Critics said that Basnet did a great job of making the sequel interesting and different from the original.

That same year, Basnet acted in the comedy-drama Dui Rupaiyan. The movie is about his character, Jureli, and his friend searching for a special two-rupee note. He also sang the song "Talkyo Jawani" for the film.

Later, he played a villain in the drama Prasad (2018). His character causes problems for a couple facing personal challenges. Critics praised his acting in this role, saying he did a great job playing a serious and thoughtful character. In 2019, he starred in the movie Ghamad Shere.

In 2024, Basnet and his wife, Swastima Khadka, both produced and starred in the movie Behuli from Meghauli. The film was a success.

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

Personal Life

Before he became a filmmaker, Nischal Basnet had other dreams. He wanted to be a footballer and even joined a club, but it didn't work out. Then, he wanted to be a musician because he loved singing since he was a child. He recorded some songs, but the studio closed down and the songs were lost.

Basnet studied filmmaking at Oscar International College of Film Studies in Kathmandu. He later moved to Australia to study 3D animation but ended up studying hospitality and working as a chef. He felt he wasn't making progress, so he returned to Nepal to follow his passion for movies.

In his free time, Basnet enjoys bicycling. He married actress Swastima Khadka on February 17, 2016. In 2019, the couple received an "Ideal Couple" award.

Awards and Recognition

Basnet has won several awards for his work in films.