I launched myself as a hero
8 January 2010
After walking the ramps in India and appearing in several Bollywood movies, 38-year-old Kalden Sonam Dorji, famously known as Kelly Dorji, shot his first Bhutanese film last month. He shares his experiences working in the Bhutanese film industry with our reporter Tandin Pem.
Q. Why did you decide to work in a Bhutanese movie?
A. I have always wanted to come back home. I have been planning to work here. I am happy that I am able to do what I love in the country that I love.
Q. How was working in Bhutan different from working in Bollywood?
A. We emulate Bollywood a little only because our audience is so used to it. But at the same time I think we have a unique perspective. We have a far greater passion for what we do even though it may be on a smaller scale, supported by smaller amount of money. In that regard we are on a good start.
Q. Can you share your experiences working in your first Bhutanese movie, Sem Gawai Tasha?
A. Working on Sem Gawai Tasha has been a pleasurable stress. Never before did I enjoy waking up at five in the morning and looking forward to the rest of the day and collapsing at 10 at night out of exhaustion for 32 straight days. But, I felt the passion along with the rest of the crew. The director, technicians and the whole crew really had a fabulous experience working on it. It has been a dream project with a dream team.
Q. Your fans in the country have a lot of expectations from you in this movie. Comment.
A. My fans in Bhutan are used to seeing me in a negative light because I play mostly villainous role in Indian cinema. Here, I have completely changed and launched myself as a hero. I have been careful to portray an image not to glorify myself but to create a hero image in Bhutan which we have not been able to do successfully in the past. The aim of Sem Gawai Tasha is to create a star hero image who you would like to see again and again. As far as my fans are concerned in this country, I think they don’t have anything to worry about Sem Gawai Tasha. They are going to enjoy themselves.
Q. Are you planning for a long term career as an actor in Bhutan?
A. Definitely, I am an actor, and that is my profession and chosen career.
Q. What are the good and bad of Bhutanese film industry? How can the shortfalls be improved?
A. Sem Gawai Tasha in particular has been designed particularly to make an impact to start a serious growth in all aspects of filmmaking in Bhutan. Larger budgets, more organised production, distribution, professional crews, serious pre-production, serious filming on schedules, and most importantly, going the distance by taking full interest in the post-production as well.
Q. Do you have any plans to make your own movie in Bhutan in future?
A. Yes definitely. I already have a few plans, just waiting for a few things to fall into place.
Q. How do you see the future of Bhutanese film industry in terms of money and professionalism?
A. Professionalism is something which comes from an organisational skill so it can only develop as the industry develops. Money is improving.
Q. The film industry lacks professionals, theatres are scarce, market is small and piracy is becoming rampant in the country. How do you think the film industry can come out of this hole?
A. Piracy is a serious issue and only the law can help us in that degree and it reflects upon our own morals and conscience. But it exists, and we need to do something about it. Theatres will come about, it needs to do business and we have a small population so we can only develop according to the population.
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Loading ...Zakar for Thursday March 11 2010
26th Day of the 01st Month - Iron Male Tiger Year Year
Auspicious for: Construction of new ten-sung, conducting consecration and blessing ceremonies, propitiating gods and deities, sowing seeds, planting flowers, starting business, learning rig-nye and astrology, entering new houses, calling upon superiors and holding discussions. But it is she-zha (unfavourable day) for people who are born in the year of Tiger and Rabbit.
Inauspicious for: Starting construction of houses and conducting lue-cho.
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My personal heartiest welcome to our national Hero Kalden Sonam Dorji alias Kelly Dorji for making of Sem Gawai Tasha and featuring himself a lead role in the film!
I will definitely not miss to watch every shot at the ecstasy !!!
dear friends, it is a pleasure to be able to entertain you in dzongkha. i am very happy to, at last, reach out directly to you all. i pray that i have your love and vocal support. i will always be there for you all, just as you have been for me. k
…wel come our hero and good to see you in Bhutan and much much happier our hero speaking in dongkha…definately we will not miss your show!!
Welcome Kelly Dorji and lead our small industry to a greater height. I am sure you will make lot of difference in these industry.
wel come our hero Kelly Dorji.Love to see u in Bhutan.am a great fan of u.
welcome kelly dorji,
all the best in what you do and hope you teach and share the idea of how to make a good movie to the upcomming year. Hope to see a great sucess in flim industry at palden drukpe gayelkhap.
Try your best as they are alot of hope from you.
All the best……………
hi Mr. Kelly Dorji,welcome back to bhutan.i would b very eager to watch your movie.frankly, how would u fell abt the language????(dzongkha)can u speak like us?i will watch ur movie when it release.
hi mr kelly,m so happy u to be here in our country like sun that shines n reaches in each n every remotest part of the country for film industry. m your fan forever n waiting to release Gawain Tasha.
mr kelly!
Bring changes with the experience u have got from bollywood.i think ur presence in the bhutanese films could bring huge success with the booming of economy as a whole…
hi mr kelly!
i’m so……….hapy to see you in a bhutanese film as i’m a huge fan of yours and when i heard that you are planning to continue your career in the bhutanese industry i’m sure that now our bhutanese films wil be more successful in future!
definitely ll not miss your movie.
Kelly Rocks!
looking foreward to seeing it, ,
u look great in dat leather coated jacket….
good luck