The popular comedy TV series SAKKIGONI has become a favorite among audiences. Iconic characters like ‘Pande,’ ‘Jigri Bro,’ ‘Khupi’s Father,’ ‘Kakroz,’ and ‘Bale’ are household names. Now, the cast of SAKKIGONI is set to make their big-screen debut. Following their success in Bhadragol and SAKKIGONI, JPT Creations is bringing a film titled Laaj Sharanam.
The movie is directed by SAKKIGONI own director and actor, Kumar Kattel. After entertaining audiences through television, the team is now making its film debut. Following the release of Laaj Sharanam, the team is already preparing for another new movie.
Another well-known SAKKIGONI actor, Deepak Acharya, famous for his ‘Kaku’ character, also announced a new film a week ago. His directorial venture Paran is being backed by Nepal’s prominent business house, the Golchha Group. Deepak, who has worked in Meri Bassai, Bhadragol, and SAKKIGONI, is now gearing up for his cinematic journey.
From TV to Film
It is not uncommon for TV actors to transition to films. In the past decade, television stars have gained significant dominance in the film industry. Many actors who started in TV, such as Deepak Raj Giri, Deepa Shree Niraula, Kedar Ghimire, Jitu Nepal, and Buddhi Tamang, are now thriving in movies.
Previously, filmmakers did not take TV actors seriously when they tried to enter the film industry. However, the 2013 movie Chha Ekan Chha shattered this perception by achieving commercial success. This led to a wave of TV actors transitioning to films. The comedy series Tito Satya, which ran for 12 years with 600 episodes, eventually ended, leading Deepak and Deepa to pursue filmmaking. Despite skepticism, they took a risk and produced their first movie, which turned out to be a hit.
Their success opened doors for other television actors, including Jitu Nepal, Kedar Ghimire, and Sitaram Kattel, to enter films. The Chhakka Panja series and other comedy films have since set new records in Nepal’s film industry.
Success and Struggles
While some TV actors have successfully transitioned to films, others have faced setbacks. Veteran comedian Santosh Pant, who introduced many TV stars, also directed the 2022 film Hijo Aaja Ko Kura, but it failed to meet expectations. Similarly, the 2020 film Senti Virus, produced by Sitaram Kattel and Kunjana Ghimire (Dhurmus-Suntali), did not perform well at the box office.
However, some TV veterans have managed to establish themselves in films. The legendary comedy duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya (Maha Jodi) have successfully produced multiple hit films, including Dal Bhat Tarkari and Shatru Gate. Hari Bansha’s negative role in Maha Jatra and his upcoming film Bhootan continue to showcase his versatility.
International Influence
This trend is not limited to Nepal. In Bollywood, stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and R. Madhavan all began their careers in television before making it big in films.
A Pathway to Film
For many, TV is a stepping stone to cinema. Laaj Sharanam director Kumar Kattel always dreamed of making films, but circumstances led him to work in television first. Now, he is realizing his film aspirations. Similarly, Deepak Acharya’s dream was also filmmaking, and he used television, music videos, and short films as practice before finally directing Paran.
With a strong fan base from SAKKIGONI, these filmmakers hope to draw audiences to theaters, just as Deepak and Deepa’s films have done in the past. Whether they succeed or not remains to be seen, but their journey from television to film continues to inspire many.
