Nischal Basnet

Before making his directorial debut in 2012, Basnet said that he "didn't have the slightest clue that [he] would be getting into moviemaking" and added that he had not given any thought to it;[1] after watching "mind-numbingly boring Nepali movies" in 2009, being disappointed that Nepalese films were "so terrible", he decided that he would "make a film within the next 5 years at any cost".[1] Basnet read books and spent time on the internet to learn about film-making.[1] The same year, he directed an unreleased short film titled Innocent, which criticises gun culture in Kathmandu.[2] This film started struggling during its post-production: Basnet recalls that he "tried every way to save the movie but [they] weren't professionals" and that he "hopelessly [tried] to edit the movie and sync the sound on [his] laptop with [a] friend".[2] Basnet has said that he does not think he will release the film, blaming his inexperience for its outcome.[2]

Basnet made his directorial release debut in 2012 with the critically acclaimed[3] crime-thriller Loot.[4] The film is set around Nepal's capital Kathmandu, and the plot focuses on five young men who are in desperate need of money.[5] The film features an ensemble cast and went on to win National Film Awards for Best Actor, Best Art Director, and Best Editing.[6] Nischal Basnet contributed vocals as a playback singer to the film's original song, "Udhreko Choli", with Indira Joshi.[3][7] Loot became a blockbuster at the box office, earning NPR 25.5 million Nepalese rupees (approximately US$218,000 in 2019).[8] According to MyRepublica, the film became a cult classic.[9]

After making his directorial debut, Basnet acted in Uma (2013) and Kabaddi (2014). In Kabaddi, he appeared in a lead role as Bibek, who tries to abduct a gangster's daughter.[10] His role in the film received acclaim.[11]

In 2014, Basnet directed the dark comedy Talakjung vs Tulke, which is set during the Nepalese Civil War (1996–2006).[12] The film was commercially successful and received critical acclaim,[13] with Basnet winning a National Film Award for Best Director.[14] Talakjung vs Tulke was selected as the Nepalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated; Basnet said that he felt good having his film be Nepal's Oscar representation.[15] Of the selection, Basnet said that: "I make my movie my way, others make movies their way. It is up to the panel of judges and how they see a movie".[15] After Talakjung vs Tulke, Basnet starred in Kabaddi Kabaddi (2015),[16] and made a special appearance in Zindagi Rocks (2015).[17]

In 2017, Basnet directed the sequel to his debut Loot, titled Loot 2.[18] After Loot became a blockbuster, Basnet had planned a sequel, but its pre-production in writing the plot had taken a long time.[19] The film starred the original cast of Loot as well as new stars, including Bipin Karki and Alisha Rai.[20] Like the original, Loot 2 became a blockbuster at the box office, grossing NPR 78.5 million.[21] OnlineKhabar wrote that they "can sense director Basnet's genuine involvement in trying to elevate Loot 2 beyond the obvious comparison to its prequel. His characters have matured, not in a way warranting epiphanies mind you, but in a subtle manner like the effect passing of time has on individuals".[22] The same year, Basnet acted in the comedy-drama Dui Rupaiyan (2017).[23] The plot concerns his character, Jureli, and Asif Shah's Dari searching for two rupees;[24] he also sang "Talkyo Jawani" for the soundtrack of the film.[25] This role was less well received by OnlineKhabar, with Sandhya Ghimire writing that the two leads "are informal to the point of being almost cringe-worthy".[24] After Dui Rupaiyan, Basnet made an appearance in the romantic drama Prasad,[26] playing Ramesh, a villainous character who interferes with the life of a couple who cannot conceive.[27][28] He received praise from critics for this role, with OnlineKhabar saying that he "has contributed his distant gesture, cold facial expression and thoughtfully articulated dialogues to his projection as a conspirator".[27] In 2019, Basnet announced his upcoming film, Ghamad Shere.[29] The film stars Basnet, Swastima Khadka, Sushma Niraula, and Gauri Malla.[29]

The Nepalese actress Swastima Khadka, Basnet's wife, in May 2019