Raju Adhikari (film director)

Raju Adhikari (Born 23 June 1974 at Jutpani-1 of Chitwan district, Nepal) is a well-known film director in Nepal film industry for more than fifteen years and chairman of Aasutosh Films Production Pvt. Ltd. Affiliation of Raju Adhikari to different organizations and forums related to Nepalese movies are Chairperson/MD: Aasutosh Films Production Private Limited, Sub-Treasurer/ Life member: Society of Nepalese Movies Directors, Treasurer: International Artist Forum (IAF), General Member: Nepalese Movies Producers Association, Advisor: Socigenous Media Pvt. Ltd, Advisor/ Life member: Nepal film conservation forum, life member: Box Office Filmy club. He has started his career in this sector as an assistant director and actor. Later on, he paid attentions on other dimensions of film making such as production, cinematography and direction besides acting. He has produced and directed several Nepali movies, documentaries and music videos. His work as a director include the films The Nirmala, Subba Saab, Shooter, Lake Side and Uljhan and as a producer include the films Dil maa sajaye Timilai,Lawarish, Subba Saab, Lake, Hirasat, Patuki and Uljhan in his own home production from Aasutosh Films Production Pvt. Ltd.

Early life

Born on 23 June 1974 at Jutpani-1 of Chitwan district, Adhikari was passionate AbOUT movies since his childhood. In 1995, he got an opportunity to work as an actor and also as one of the producers in a Nepali tele-serial named as Aakrosh. In the same year, he produced and played in another Nepali tele-serial, Sandesh. Since then, his professional career kicked off. Adhikari loves being a versatile in his profession. Though he had started his journey as actor-cum-producer, he began directing documentaries and music videos too in late 90’s. Most of the documentaries that he directed and cinematographed are non-commercial and for good cause like social awareness, agricultural development, agricultural technology transfer and so on. Some of his remarkable documentaries and short films include ‘Education and Health Status of Praja tribe of Nepal’ (produced by an NGO named Shanti Ghriha, Nepal), ‘Cultivation Technology of Mandarin Orange’ (produced by governmental agency named District Agriculture Development Office, Chitwan, Nepal), ‘Bhool Gare Maile’-a documentary made for the awareness against child and girls trafficking, ‘Modern Agricultural and Livestock Management Practices in Nepal’ (produced by an NGO named MADE-Nepal).

Adhikari found a massive breakthrough in 2007 when he was offered to direct a Nepali movie, The Nirmala. It is based on a real story of a lady suffering from HIV/AIDS. A resident of Nawalparasi district, Nirmala Poudel was her real name and she died couple of years before with that hazardous disease. Nirmala got married in her childhood and the disease transmitted to her from her husband. The movie based on her real story portrays that how she was discarded and discriminated by her family and society. The Nirmala got an outstanding response from Nepalese audience. Thus, the movie was nominated in several movie awards and it well received the ‘Public Choice Award 2008’ granted by Nepalese Movie Journalists Association. He is a Treasurer of Society of Nepalese Movies Directors Mr Adhikari has also performed as Jury in many competitions. He won many awards including Best Director Award. Mr Adhikari make high achievements in Nepali film industry.

Marriage and children

Adhikari was married to Aarati Adhikari (Acharya) and have two children (Aasutosh Adhikari/Abishek Adhikari).

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Brand ambassador

Swarnim Seed (Seed Company)

Interview

Interview with Raju Adhikari