Ugyen Choden, a Bhutanese actress known for her role in the movie “Dangphu Dingphu”, joins the list of Bhutanese actors who have acted in films outside Bhutan. She made her debut in a Nepali film, “Dui Numbari” which was directed by Dipendra Lama, a well-known film director in Nepal. The movie, which was released last month, grossed over 72 million Nepalese Rupees in the first two weeks of its release.
In the movie which features some popular Nepali actors like Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla and Upasana Singh Thakuri, Ugyen plays the role of a tourist from Bhutan.
The two-hour film tells the story of two amateur hunters. In the movie, she visits a village to pay respect to her parents who were killed in a plane crash. In a turn of events, Ugyen accidentally gets shot by a hunter.
The comedy-drama revolves around the hunter reflecting on life after he encounters Ugyen.
“Our country is a religious country. Moreover, His Majesty The King’s leadership and our rich tradition are highly appreciated in Nepal. Our traditional dress and food are also shown in the movie. The audience applauded the movie for its unique story. I was also surprised by the support I received,” said Ugyen.
She entered the Nepali film industry after she met the director of a movie at a festival.
“He shared his interest in hiring a Bhutanese actress for his upcoming film which was based on the 2010 crash of the Nepali airline, “Tara Air” carrying 18 Bhutanese pilgrims in Nepal,” she said.
But acting in a Nepali movie was quite challenging due to the language barrier. She had to attend language classes for two months.
To screen the movie in the country for her Bhutanese fans, she is currently discussing it with the Film Association of Bhutan.
The movie also received positive feedback on social media from both Bhutanese and Nepali fans.
Karma Samten Wangda & Tshering Deki
Edited by Tshering Zam
