Rajesh Hamal

Non-film appearances

Before entering into Nepali Cinema, Hamal was a well known model; in his college years he first modeled for Fashion Net, an Indian magazine in 1985; he walked the ramp in Kathmandu and New Delhi in 1986.

1988-90s Debut and Superstardom

In 1988 Deepak Rayamajhi made "Yug Dekhi Yug Samma" giving Rajesh Hamal his first break in Nepalese cinema along with Krishti Mainali. The film was a huge success. He also won National Films Award for "Best Actor Debut".

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In 1990 he did only one film, Adhikar which was hit at the box office. 1991 proved to be the best year for Hamal with him getting 3 movies Bhauju, Deuki and Deuta, all of them becoming a hit. In 1991 director Tulsi Ghimire's film Deuta shot Rajesh Hamal into super-stardom. Tulsi Ghimire cast him in the leading role for the film Deuta. The film mrked turning point in his career. The film award was a sharp contrast to the romantically themed films that had generally preceded it and established Hamal in a new persona — the "Romantic Fellow" of Nepali cinema. He won his first Best Actor Award in a leading role at National Films Award for Best Actor Award in 1991 film Deuta.

In 1992 he appeared in Punjabi film named Kachehri. He also appeared in film Chatyang and earned second National Films Award "Best Actor" category award. In 1993 he appeared in only two films Kasam and Adhikar, both becoming box office success.

Hamal was mostly popular in action films. It was in 1994, while filming Sadak during a fight scene in prison, he had to save his family from the enemies. He had to break the walls of the prison. While Hamal was performing the stunt, the bricks of the prison fell upon him and he got injured. The Director stopped the shooting immediately. Hamal was covered with blood and he was at once taken to the hospital. Many fans of Hamal came to meet him in the hospital. Hamal took at least 5 months rest and slowly completed the shooting. The film was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year and Hamal was nominated for best actor award.

In 1994 he appeared in film Paribhasa and first time nominated in National Films Award "Best Supporting Actor" Category. He received his Fifth National Films Award for the film Bandhan. In 1997 he worked with actress Jal Shah in film juntara and won National Films Best Actor Award. In 1999 Hamal worked alongside actress Niruta Singh for the first time in the film "Chadani". He played the role of the son of a rich man who fell in love with a village girl. Later he appeared in films Dharmaputra, Pardesi Kancha, Shankar, Jindagani, Ek Number Ko Pakhe. His last release in 1999 was "Mato bolcha" which was directed by Rajesh Raj Acharya under Sayapatri films banner. Hamal was nominated for many award categories. He ended up winning National Films best actor awards for the Best Actor.

2000s

In 2000 he appeared in the historical film "Basanti" along with actress Karishma Manandhar. This Film was based on the era of Rana dynasty. He was critically acclaimed for his acting in the film and this film proved to be the highest-grossing film in the box office. Later he worked in films like Dhuk dhuki, Upakar, Asirbad, Nepal Pyaro Chha, The yug dekhi yug samma". In 2009 he appeared in film "Raju Raja Ram" along with two other stars of Nepalese film industry, Bhuwan K.C. and Shiv Shrestha, where he played role of Raju.

In 2004, Hamal appeared in the television show called Wai Wai Quiz Whiz. He appeared in several advertisement like Captain Sabun (Soap), Steel, Himal Cement, Real Juice, Shares and Investment etc. In 2011, he appeared in the Nepalese comedy show "Meri Bassai" as a superstar "Rajesh Hamal". He was also a special guest in 2011 Miss Angel program. He was also Requested to host the show "Nagad Paanch lakh" but he refused the offer being busy in shooting. Later the show was hosted by Madan Krishna Shrestha.

2010s

His first release in 2010 was comedy film "Hath ma lagyo sunya" and he was nominated for National Films Award "Best Actor In Comic Role". He also did a special appearance in the 2011 film "Bato muni ko phool" as ACP. His last release in 2011 was "Kawach" which was moderate in box office. Later he appeared in many programme like the Nepalese comedy show, reality shows, and award functions.In 2012 he appeared in three hit movies Night queen,Maya ko Barima, Chabilal kanjus chhaina. He worked for Sayapatri banner movie Mero Rajesh Dai which also featured his look-alike Nepali actor Sital K.C.

2010–present

Rajesh hamal in a programme.

After 2010 hasn't made a super hit film in the box office most of his film being flops at the box office but Hamal hasn't stooped playing in the films and was appeared in Je Bho Ramrai Bho with Hari Bansha Acharya, Madan Krishna Shrestha and Jal Shah and the film managed to get film's budget but wasn't super-hit. He also acted as female protagonist in his movie "Shakuntala" which was something new in Nepali film industry to show power of the females in Nepal.He has currently played above 200 of movies according to ReelNepal.^[9]

Other awards

• 1989-Best Ramp performer
• 1989-Best Model of the year
• 1990-Best Ramp Performer
• 1990-Superstar of tomorrow
• 1995-Nepali Superstar Awards
• 1996-Star of the year
• 1997-Entertainer of the year
• 1999-Best Record Keeping Actor
• 2003-Best Actor (Popular Choice)
• 2003-Star of the Year
• 2004-Entertainer of the Year
• 2004-Star of the Year
• 2005-Star of the Year
• 2005-Entertainer of the Year

Honours and recognition

• 1998-Nepali Magines Awards for Best Actor Forever in Nepali cinema
• 1998-Honoured by Government of Nepal for his contribution in Nepali cinema
• 1999-Honoured by Ceremonial Head of Nepal
• 1999-Honoured by Public Service Commission
• 2000-Honoured by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• 2003-Honoured by Armed Police Force
• 2004-CG Digital Award For Best Actor
• 2005-Honoured by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
• 2006-Honoured by Nepal Bank limited Awards
• 2006-CG Digital Award For Best Actor
• 2006-Honoured by Rastriya Nagarik Sworna Samman (National citizen golden award)
• 2006-Honoured by Kantipur Television for the contribution in Nepali cinema
• 2007-Honoured by Image Channel Television for contribution in Nepali cinema
• 2007-Honoured by Non Resident Nepali Association
• 2008-Honoured by Federation of Nepali Journalists for Best Superstar Forever in Nepali movies
• 2008-NEFTA Film Award Life Time Achievement
• 2009-Lifetime Achievement
• 2009-Honoured by Nepali Television for the contribution in Nepali cinema
• 2017-Academy Oscar Award For lifetime Achievement

As actor