Chhetan Gurung

Chhetan Gurung
Born(1979-02-05)5 February 1979
Nepal
Died9 September 2020(2020-09-09) (aged 41)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Years active2014–2020

Chhetan Gurung (Nepali: छेतन गुरुङ; 5 February 1979 – 9 September 2020) was a Nepalese film director and writer known for his work in Nepali cinema. He has written scripts for Nepali films including November Rain (2014), Classic (2016), A Mero Hajur 4 (2019), and Prem Geet 3. Gurung debuted as a director from Damaru Ko Dandibiyo (2018), his last film, Prem Geet 3 which he directed in 2019 that will be released posthumously. He died from liver problems on 9 September 2020.

Career

In 2014, Gurung debuted as a writer with November Rain, for which he won the NFDC National Film Award for Best Writer.[1][2] In 2016, he was nominated for the NFDC National Film Award for Best Writer for Classic.[3] In 2018, he debuted as a film director from drama Damaru Ko Dandibiyo, a film about a former national game of Nepal.[4] Gurung said: "I have taken the film as a good project to use my experiences in the industry and to broaden my horizon. I am excited."[5] Damaru Ko Dandibiyo was critically acclaimed, one critic praised Gurung writing that he did a "stellar job" in the film.[1][6]

In 2019, Gurung wrote a script for romantic-drama A Mero Hajur 3.[7] In 2019, Gurung directed big-budget drama Prem Geet 3, the film stars Pradeep Khadka and Kristina Gurung in the lead roles.[1][8] The film was set to be released on 10 April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][9][10] In 2020, he was working with producer Santosh Sen in comedy Hututu.[1][11]

Personal life and death

Gurung was born on 5 February 1979 (Bikram Sambat: 22 Magh 2035).[2][12] He was suffering from liver problems; on 9 September 2020 he was taken to the Metro Kathmandu Hospital where he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).[7] He died the same day early in the morning.[2]

Film producer Santosh Sen told The Himalayan Times that he had been vomiting blood.[2] Sen added that he was previously on medication and was admitted to the ICU for liver problems.[2] His last funeral rites were performed on 10 September at Swayambhunath; the funeral was attended by director Dayaram Dahal, actor Aaryan Sigdel, actor Pradeep Khaka, actress Jharana Thapa, Santosh Sen, and others.[1][13]

Filmography

Year Film Credited as Notes Ref.
Director Writer
2014 November Rain No Yes Screenplay [1][14][15]
2016 Classic No Yes
2018 Damaru Ko Dandibiyo Yes No Debut as Director
2019 A Mero Hajur 3 No No Screenplay & Dialogue
2022 A Mero Hajur 4 No Yes Screenplay & Dialogue Posthumous release
2022 Prem Geet 3 Yes Yes Posthumous release

Awards

Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2014 NFDC National Film Award Best Writer November Rain Won [1][16]
2016 Classic Nominated [3]
2018 Kamana Film Award Best Debut Director Damaru Ko Dandibiyo Won [17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Film script writer, director Chhetan Gurung no more". The Rising Nepal. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Film director Chhetan Gurung no more". The Himalayan Times. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b "NFDC Award Nominations Are Announced : Classic, Premgeet get Most Nods". Moviemanu. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Dandibiyo is dying, but lamenting is not enough: Khagendra". The Kathmandu Post. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Damaru ko Dandibiyo heads to production". The Kathmandu Post. 8 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  6. ^ Pant, Shashwat. "Damaru ko Dandibiyo movie review: Remembering the forgotten sport". OnlineKhabar. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Film Director Chhetan Gurung passes away". Khabarhub. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  8. ^ "'Prem Geet 3' filming in frozen Manang". Republica. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  9. ^ "'Prem Geet 3' overseas rights sold in Europe". Republica. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. ^ Dixit, Abhimanyu (9 May 2020). "Can Nepali cinema survive the viral outbreak?". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  11. ^ "निर्देशक तथा लेखक छेतन गुरुङको ४२ वर्षको उमेरमा निधन". GorakhaPatra. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  12. ^ "नेपाली चलचित्र लेखक तथा निर्देशक छेतन गुरुङको निधन". NagarikTimes. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. ^ "अलबिदा छेतन गुरुङ…". Online Khabar. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Damaru ko Dandibiyo to release in May". The Kathmandu Post. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  15. ^ "निर्देशक छेतन गुरुङको निधन". Naya Patrika. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  16. ^ "चलचित्र लेखक तथा निर्देशक छेतन गुरुङको निधन". News 24. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  17. ^ "सिजी कामना फिल्म अवार्डस् २०७६ को मनोनयन सूची सार्वजनिक". News of Nepal. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.