Shiva Regmi () (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. He has worked on over one hundred films. 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. 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.
Career
Early career
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. 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. 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)
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. 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. In 2002 he directed Sukha Dukha: an emotional family drama which was again a huge hit at the box office. He received the Lux Award for best director and motion picture award for best story.
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 and his first national award for best director for Duniya in 2005. 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
Filmography
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.