Neer Shah is Nepali filmdom's towering personality. After helping establish Nepal Television in 1984, he started acting, directing and producing movies. He started his own cable television network, and will soon be launching his own private television channel, Shangrila Channel.

How badly is the slump in Kollywood affecting you?
It's not too bad. It could be better, though. Last year was very bad because of the emergency and political instability. People had stopped going to movie halls and, night shows were closed. For our part, we also didn't make too many good films. I'd say last year was one of the worst years for the film industry.

What is the post-ceasefire experience?
It's much easier for films to be released. Distributors can send prints to wherever they like. There is free movement for film-shootings. Moreover, people are not too scared to come to the cinemas. Sales have picked up, and there is a new kind of confidence in the film industry now.

Why have Nepali film-makers gone purposely downmarket?
The working class is a market, it has no alternative forms of entertainment. So, our fellow producers might have thought we are catering to their needs and borrowed the Bollywood formula. Front-benchers make the initial collection very strong, but in the long run it leaves no impact. So, if we provide a different taste then even frontbenchers will go and watch upmarket films. It doesn't have to be based on the same formula all the time. There used to be a phase when we replaced up to 70 percent of imported films with local production. That phase is now over, so we have to start turning our attention to a different more sophisticated crowd.

Do these quality producers exist, or are they in the making?
We have to maintain a minimum standard of filmmaking, otherwise we can't compete with imported films. They [Bollywood] have started making films in advanced formats like digital sound, ciemascope and the like. Lots of state of the art equipment are being used because Europe and the US have also become a big market. Here, if we keep on making the same films we were making 20 years ago, we will be nowhere. There are already signs that Hindi films are doing better. We have to go for higher budget films with better technical format.

Can Nepali films displace imported movies, or do you need government help?
Our national film industry does get some tax breaks. But it is not just that. Due credit should be given to film-makers as well, they are taking risks.

Do you personally feel films have a societal role besides just being a box office hit?
We have about 200 film companies here and many of them close down after producing one feature. Not a lot of banner repeat. Everyone wants to come up with something different. But they are hesitant, because there are no rewards yet for breaking away from the pack. So, we have to encourage film-makers who bring out non-formula films like Balidaan, Prem Pinda, Basanti, Seema Rekha, among others. Let's face it, films shape society in a very evolutionary process. What you hear and see in movies have a psychological impact. But our films do not reflect the reality of society so much. They are fantasies and fulfil an escapist role.

Will the viewers market shift from big screen to small screen like what has happened in India?
That will happen in Nepal also. It is in fact already happening. The first telefilm we did for Nepal Television cost Rs 3,000. It took a lot of effort to convince the producer and big name actors from stage to do that telefilm. But within two years, there were 500 people wanted to make telefilms. With the impact of Hindi teleserials have in our society, the trend will come here too. That in turn will impact on the celluloid industry.

How is politics in moviedom?
On major issues, we are not divided, we are united. The film industry is one of the most united sectors in Nepal. But on individual issues there may be some personal differences. But these should not cloud the national agenda.

What next for you?
I am performing a major role, one of the best in my career, for the film Jeeva Rekha. It's almost complete. I have taken an assignment for another film Shreeman Shreemati. Then I will start producing Seto Bagh, the 105-episode mega teleseries for Nepal Television. That was an old commitment. We have already signed the contract with NTV, there will be more than 60 characters. I will have to be extra careful on this one.