A music video star with more than 100 videos of Lok (folk) and Modern songs to her credit, Shilpa Pokharel is debuting in Nepali films with Chabiraj Ojha’s Lajja.

Directed by Nawal Nepal, Shilpa is on the main role of the movie while Aryan Sigdel features opposite to the debutant.  On the eve of the release of her movie, newspagethree.com talked with Pokharel about her movie and various other things. Here is what she has to say in her own words.

Fear has no limit

The release date of the film is nearing and my fear is unbound. The day since the workshop for movie ‘Lajja’ started has already been a year. How will be my first film? How will I be received? I am fearful of the results. However, the story of the movie is very strong. Nawal dai has made a very good movie. I was accustomed to acting in videos, not saying dialogues, hence this makes my wait even heart pounding.

An outcast female in Lajja

I have portrayed the role of an outcast female in Lajja. The ups and downs of a woman from the break of day to the end of it are shown in the movie. That what is shown in the film is a normal event in our society.

I knew not when the shooting ended

I was hesitant on the first day of the shooting. I had a take with Aryan Sigdel. I said to the director, ‘I do not think I can do this. I might not be able to utter a single word’. But he convinced me and said, ‘Is this what I taught you? Do not think Aryan Sigdel is Aryan! Just take him as ‘Daya’, your opposite character in the movie’. That gave me hope and I completed shooting afterwards without any hesitation to such an extent that I knew not when the shooting ended.

Aryan Sigdel is different than I perceived

I had heard that Aryan Sigdel is the epitome of ego. However, my collaboration with him for this movie showed nothing. I found him supportive since the first day. He gave me tips on dialogue delivery on the very first day of shooting. I was a big fan of him before my foray into movies and now that I have worked with him on my first movie and that he is a very supportive person contrary to popular belief, makes me doubly happy.

I wept behind closed doors

Initially Rekha Thapa used to play woman centric roles in Chabi Ojha productions. Now that I have taken to the challenge of playing a strong female lead in Chabi Ojha’s film, people in the media and society have started talking nonsense. They have linked me with Chabi Ojha. It caused a lot of pain to me and my family that such rumors were being spread. Initially I could not control myself and wept uncontrollably behind closed doors in my house. My family members, who were skeptic in the past, have now understood that these rumors hold no value and I am having a less troubling time.

Gossip is not necessary to make a film run

Chabi Ojha has been making movie for 25 years. Nawal Nepal is known for making family movies. People throng to theatres to watch such movies. It is not necessary to create relationship hype between a producer and an actress to make a movie run.  My relationship with Chabi Ojha is that of an actress and a producer. No more.

Media is responsible for the rumor

The news that we are marrying is a completely made-up media affair. Since people in the media kept asking the same question over and over again and Chabiji said, “I will jump into marrying Silpa’ and I also said, ‘Let us see’. In the one year of making ‘Lajja,’ Chabi Ojha has never asked to marry me and it is the media who is singing the solo song.

I will continue movies, will play selected music videos

Now that I have stepped into movies, I will continue in this industry. My first movie has a strong story and it makes me happy that I have chosen this field. I will also not abandon playing in music videos as I will select and chose the best of offers.

Movies for name and fame

I have come into film sector for name and fame. After I have played a movie, people who previously had no idea about me have started to recognize me.  This is my foremost gain, not money.

Rekha Thapa is still no one, I will write my own name

Rekha Thapa has been on this industry for more than 13 years. She is the number one actress of Nepali movies. That what she has achieved is because of her dedication, hard work, and passion. I like her very much. However, one newspaper printed news saying I am here to compete with her. How come I compete with a veteran who has my liking? I will struggle and write my own name. I will be the Silpa Pokharel of this industry.