The Nepali film industry has been producing some of the most popular Nepali actors for decades. From veteran actors to young up and comers, the country has seen its fair share of stars on the big screen.
While some of these actors have made a name for themselves by appearing in international productions, others have established their fame within the country.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the 10 most popular Nepali actors of all time, who have made a lasting impact on the Nepali film industry.
From their performances to their celebrity status, these actors have shaped the landscape of Nepali cinema. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this list of the 10 most popular Nepali actors of all time.
List of Top 10 Most Popular Nepali Actors
With the Nepali film industry thriving, there have been some amazing actors who have made a lasting impression on the viewers. From action stars to romantic leads, the Nepali film industry has produced some of the most popular Nepali actors of all time. Here is a list of the 10 of the most popular Nepali actors who have left a lasting legacy in the Nepali film industry.
1. Rajesh Hamal
Rajesh Hamal is widely regarded as one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time and is known as “Mahanayak” of Nepali Film Industry. He has been in the Nepali film industry since the late 1980s and has starred in more than 300 films, winning many awards along the way. His versatility has enabled him to play a wide range of roles, from comedy to action and drama.
He debuted as an actor in his uncle’s film Yug Dekhi Yug Samma in 1988 which was a huge hit enough to make him a nationwide star. Since his debut, he never looked back and kept making a huge impact on Nepal Film Industry, and gave dozens of blockbuster films in his ongoing acting career.
Hamal’s popularity in Nepal is unmatched, and his fan base continues to grow with each passing day. He is an inspiration for many aspiring actors in Nepal, and his contribution to the Nepali film industry is truly remarkable. He is the first Nepalese actor to receive popularity across South Asia, holding several box-office records including the most commercially successful actor, actor to give most consecutive hits and most awards as an actor.
2. Sunil Thapa
Sunil Thapa is one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time. He is best known for his versatile acting in Nepali films, television series and dramas. He has been acting in the Nepali film industry as well as in Hindi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri films since 1975 and is one of the founding members of the Cineyatra Movement in Nepal.
He has acted in numerous films, including Nepali films like Deuki, Mashaal, Thuldai, and so on. You will be amazed to know Sunil Thapa made his acting debut with one of the most popular Hindi films Ek Duuje Ke Liye starring legendary Kamal Hasan. Sunil Thapa has earned several awards including Motion Pictures Award Nepal twice. He had been also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Filmfare Award for his role in Hindifilm Mary Kom starring Priyanka Chopra.
Sunil Thapa has made a mark in the Nepali entertainment industry by portraying challenging roles and is widely regarded as an outstanding actor. His work is widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. He has been nominated for numerous awards and continues to be a popular name in the Nepali film industry.
3. Bhuwan KC
One of the most popular Nepali actors of all time is Bhuwan KC. He has been active in the Nepali film industry since 1981, and he has starred in numerous Nepali movies. He is known for his roles in superhit movies like Samjhana, Kusume Rumal, Santan, Dakshina, Chino, Nepali Babu and so on. Some of his films like Kusume Rumal is among the most popular Nepali films of all time.
Bhuwan KC began his acting career in 1981 with a film called Juni. After that movie, he starred in many more movies, including Samjhana (1983), Kusume Rumal (1985), Santaan (1987), Kanyadan (1990), and many more. His performances in these movies earned him great acclaim and fame.
In addition to his acting career, Bhuwan KC is also an accomplished producer and director. He has produced many films and has directed one film Dreams starring his son Anmol KC.
Besides acting, producing, and direction, Bhuwan KC is also a member of Nepali Congress, the largest democratic party in Nepal. He has been also a part of some controversies.
Overall, Bhuwan KC is one of the most successful and popular Nepali actors of all time. His acting skills and work for Nepali Film Industry have made him a beloved figure in Nepal.
4. Biraj Bhatta
Biraj Bhatt is one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time and one of the most loved Nepali actors in 2000s. Born in Dhangadi, Nepal Biraj has been actively involved in the Nepali Cinema and Bhojpuri Film industry since the early 2000s.
He has starred in more than 200 movies through different languages like Nepali, Bhojpuri, and Tharu. He is best known for his portrayal of the lead role in the movie “Khal Nayak” in 2008 that earned him to receive a National Film Award for Best Actor. The movie was a huge success and earned Biraj a lot of recognition. He made his acting debut with supporting roles in movies like Khukuri, Unko Samjhana, and Pauju. Later he established himself as an lead actor in many Nepali action and comedy movies like Suhaagan (2005), Maidan (2005), Agnipath (2004), Jeevan Daata (2005), and many.
In a very short period of time, he appeared in more than 75 successful Nepali films from 2000 to 2011.
Apart from acting in Nepali films, Biraj also acted in many Bhojpuri films and gained huge stardom there in short period of time. Some of his popular Bhojpuri films are Mard Rikshawala (2010), Jaanwar (2012), Mard Tangewala (2009), Durga, Gunday, Shooter, Trishul, and so on.
Biraj’s contribution to Nepali cinema and culture makes him one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time.
5. Late Shree Krishna Shrestha
Shree Krishna Shrestha was a veteran actor and one of the most beloved and celebrated Nepali actors of all time. He began his acting career in 1989 in the hit movie Bhumari. Since then, he has gone on to star in many commercially successful films and has won numerous awards for his work. His trademark style of acting and dance has won him many fans and made him one of the most recognizable faces in Nepali cinema.
Aside from acting, Shree Krishna Shrestha is also an accomplished producer and director. He has produced and directed multiple films. He is known for his commitment to quality and staying true to the cultural context of Nepali films.
Shree Krishna Shrestha’s fame and influence have transcended the film industry. He is a beloved public figure in Nepal, receiving numerous accolades and awards for his philanthropic work. Due to the diagonisis with pneumonia and bone cancer, he died at the early age of 47 on August 10, 2014.
Thousands of fans as well as many personalities of Nepal including the Prime Minister gathered in his funeral proceeding. Shree Krishna Shrestha will always be remembered as one of the most beloved Nepali actors of all time. His legacy will continue to be cherished by generations to come.
6. Nikhil Upreti
One of the most well-known actors in Nepali cinema, Nikhil Upreti has earned himself a reputation as one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time. A former model, he made his debut in the film industry in 2000 with the movie “Pinjada”, and since then has gone on to appear in many movies.
With a powerful presence on the big screen, Nikhil Upreti is best known for his roles in action-packed dramas and thrillers, such as “Kurukshetra”, “Agnipath”, “Karan-Arjun”, “Trishul”, “Desh Dekhi Bidesh”, and many more. A versatile actor, Upreti is also known for his impressive action and martial art skills in Nepali films.
In recent years, Upreti has focused more on activitism and humanitarian than acting. However, he continues to be one of the most beloved and influential actors in the Nepali movie industry. With a broad fan base both in Nepal and abroad, Nikhil Upreti is certainly one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time.
7. Shiva Shrestha
One of the most popular Nepali actors of all time, Shiva Shrestha has made a name for himself in the film industry. He started his career with a Nepali film Jeevan Rekha in 1980. Later he started in many commercially successful films like Jeevan Rekha (1980), Badalindo Akash (1982), Kanchi (1984), Bishwas (1986), Chino (1989), Manakamana (1990), Milan (1983), Thuldai (1999), and so on.
Throughout his illustrious career, Shiva Shrestha has been praised for his excellent acting skills, his signature dialogue delivery style, and his ability to portray complex characters. Because of his works, during the 1980s, 1990s, and the early 2000s, he was known as the “second pillar” of the Nepali film industry because of the hits he was giving. Apart from this, he is also renowned as “acting king” of Nepali film Industry.
Besides acting in Nepali films, he has also acted in several Pakistani films. He has acted in over a dozen of commercially successful Urdu films. He has been active in the Nepali film industry for three decades and continues to be one of the most popular actors of all time.
8. Dayahang Rai
Dayahang Rai is an acclaimed Nepali actor who is known for his uniqueness in acting and who has worked in many films and theatres. He began his early career by working in theatres and televisions in the 2000s. In 2009, he made his debut in movies with romantic comedy film “Mero Euta Saathi Chha”, and quickly became one of the most popular actors in Nepal. He has since appeared in several critically acclaimed films such as Loot, Jholay, Talakjung vs Tulke, Kabaddi film series and White Sun.
Rai has won several awards throughout his career, including the National Film Award for Best Actor thrice. The movie White Sun (2016) which he starred in, was the first ever Nepali movie to enter for the Academy Awards. He is known for his powerful performances in intense characters and is widely respected in Nepal’s film industry.
Rai is also involved in various social projects and is an advocate for gender equality and animal rights. He actively speaks out against gender-based violence and supports victims of domestic abuse through his organization, Empowering Women of Nepal (EWON). He is also the founder of Sathi Foundation, a non-profit organization which promotes education and healthcare for disadvantaged children in rural parts of Nepal.
9. Saugat Malla
Saugat Malla is one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time. He is known for his versatility, having appeared in a number of different genres. He has starred in romantic comedies such as Fateko Jutta, action thrillers such as Loot, and drama films like Highway.
He began his acting career in 2008 with a Nepali film Kagbeni, which was a big hit at the box office. From then on, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after actors in the Nepali film industry. Later he appeared in many commercially and critically successful Nepali films like Kabbaddi film franchise, Loot 2 series, Chhadke, Lukamari, and so on.
Saugat Malla is undoubtedly one of the most popular Nepali actors of all time and will continue to be so for many years to come.
10. Neer Bikram Shah
Neer Bikram Shah, sortly known as Neet Shah is an immensely popular Nepali actor, well known for his powerful performances in the Nepali film industry. He has been in the Nepali movie industry since 1985 and has acted in over many Nepali movies. Some of his most notable works include Prem Pinda, Siduo Ko Sindoor, Muna Madan, Sano Sansar, Kismat, Woda Number 6, etc.
Besides acting, he is also a producer and director. He is also the founder of Nepal Television (NTV)-the first TV station in Nepal and also served as the first head of the channel.
Shah’s tremendous contribution to the Nepali film industry has earned him several awards.
Overall, Neer Bikram Shah is undoubtedly one of the most influential and popular Nepali actors of all time. His stellar performances have won him fans across Nepal and worldwide.
Conclusion
Nepali cinema has been graced by some of the most talented actors over the years. From Rajesh Hamal, Sunil Thapa and Bhuwan KC, to Biraj Bhatt, Shree Krishna Shrestha and Nikhil Upreti, these actors have played an important role in the growth of the industry and the entertainment industry in Nepal.
Shiva Shrestha, Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla and Neer Bikram Shah are some of the other talented actors who have kept Nepali cinema alive and vibrant throughout the years. All these actors have made a lasting impact on viewers and continue to be remembered fondly as some of the most popular Nepali actors of all time.
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