Dentist swaps molars for movies to direct films
Kapil Rijal's second movie Gauthali is currently Nepal's second highest grossing film to date.
A former dentist from Surrey has transitioned from treating teeth to directing films, achieving recognition as a prominent film director in Nepal.
Kapil Rijal, who previously practiced dentistry in Lightwater, made a career change to pursue his lifelong ambition in filmmaking. His latest cinematic creation, "Gauthali," is currently a major success, ranking as the second-highest-grossing film in the South Asian nation to date.
The film addresses critical issues such as child marriage, women's education, and social discrimination, which Rijal noted are "still very relevant there today."
Rijal, whose father was a filmmaker and artist in Nepal, shared that his passion for movies began in his youth. "I grew up in that background and used to make music videos and short films when I was at college," he explained. He added that his early aspirations were later set aside due to the demands of managing a dental practice in the UK.
However, with his eldest daughter now a dentist and his youngest studying dentistry, Rijal felt the timing was right to return to his true calling. "I decided the time was right to do what I always wanted and get back to working on films," he stated.
Rijal's directorial debut, the comedy "Harry Ki Pyari," was released in 2023, marking his return to his Nepalese roots. He chose Nepal for his projects because he was familiar with the local technicians and saw an opportunity to introduce the country's stories to an international audience.
"Gauthali," a remake of a 2001 musical film, is set in 2026 and tells the poignant story of a 14-year-old girl named Gauthali. She is forced into marriage, denied an education, and deprived of her childhood due to rigid traditions.
Rijal elaborated on the plot: "The main character, Gauthali, is only 14 and wants to study, but instead she has to get married to a 22-year-old autistic man, and the film shows how her life goes from there."
He believes the film has resonated deeply with audiences because child marriage was prevalent in Nepal not long ago and continues in some regions. "So people who have experience of these sorts of things, or whose parents had it happen to them, have been coming to see the film," he noted.
Rijal also highlighted the contemporary relevance of the film's themes: "Even today, young women who want to pursue a career or travel the world are having pressure put on them to settle down, get married and have children. So it's very relatable even now."