Rajesh Hamal is a Nepali film actor, singer, model, and television host. Born in Tansen, Palpa, Nepal, Hamal was one of the highest paid Nepali actors throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Hamal debuted as an actor in his uncle's film Yug Dekhi Yug Samma in 1991. Since then, he has appeared in over 200 films in a career spanning nearly three decades. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities in Nepali cinema. Hamal starred in Yug Dekhi Yug Samma, Kasam, Deuta, Ek Number Ko Pakhe, Hami Tin Bhai, Ajambari Naataa and Mukhauta. He also hosted the first season of Nepali version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? titled Ko Bancha Crorepati.
Personal life
Hamal was born in Tansen, Palpa. His father, Chuda Bahadur Hamal was the Nepali ambassador to Pakistan, Hamal did not communicate much with his father, telling Wavemag, "Every day of my life, I regret not bidding him with a proper goodbye. Additionally, I should have made an effort to properly communicate with my father, and talk about my aspirations and passion in a better way." Whilst his mother Renu K.C.'s profession is unknown, Hamal told Moviemandu, "Death of my mother is due to the cause of mental health and cigarette, with these cause mother passed away for the lifetime". He is the third child, with four siblings. Hamal is currently married to Madhu Bhattarai. They first met at the Lux Beauty Pageant in 2004. Hamal had proposed Bhattarai on 14 May, then he got married on 24 May 2014 in a private wedding ceremony on Hotel Annapurna, Kathmandu. Hamal said he was impressed by Bhattarai's talent at the Lux Beauty Pageant in 2004, Bhattarai was nervous to see her favourite actor as a judge that she couldn't answer his questions properly. Hamal and Bhattarai managed to keep their relationship secret for five years, the couple admitted they were on a relationship two years before getting married.
Career
Acting career
Before entering the film industry Hamal modeled for a magazine in India named Fashion Net whilst studying at University of Delhi. He appeared in a fashion show organised by the Indian Embassy Women Association in the late 1980s. Hamal's first starring role was set to be in Bhagya Rekha opposite of Karishma Manandhar. Later Manandhar left the project, which led Kristi Mainali to join the project. After Mainali joined the filming began however after the film directorDeepak Rayamajhi was rumoured to suspected an affair between the lead actors, which led two of the lead actors leaving the project. Both were replaced by Rabindra Khadka, and Mausami Malla. After the film's release it became a blockbuster, the film also lad the film director Deepak Rayamajhi to become a credible film director in early Nepali cinema industry. The affair of Kristi Mainali, and Hamal became highly popular throughout Nepal, and after Deepak Rayamajhi successful film director debut he signed Mainali and Hamal into his next project titled Yug Dekhi Yug Samma. The film follows two young couples who are amidst the pressure of their family rivalries. Along the side of lead actors debut, it was also the film producer Chhabiraj Ojha, and action director Rajendra Khadgi film debut too. Hamal later told Teenz, "Actually somewhere inside I always wanted to act. More than acting, I was fascinated by films. I wanted to something in the field, but I did not know how to begin. Luckily, my cousin was a part of the film industry and he offered me a role. That was in 1990, and at that time. I did not know I would be doing films for the next 20 years". After the success of the film it was later remade with the same title in 2009, directed by Dipendra K Khanal, and the film starred Nandita K.C., and Hamal in the lead roles. In 1993 Hamal joined up with Tulsi Ghimirefor the first time, in his directorial film project called Deuta. The film starred Hamal in the lead role beside the film also starred Shrawan Ghimire, Srijana Basnet, and Tulsi Ghimire in the supporting roles. Upon film's release it became super hit at the box office of Nepal. The film is also considered the film that launched his stardom in the Nepali film industry. The Kathmandu Post wrote, "Incidentally, this was also the film that catapulted Hamal into stardom and while that alone could place Deuta in a Kollywood Hall of Fame, the movie is much more than that". In 2000 Hamal was cast in actor Neer Shah directorial film titled Basanti. In the film Hamal portrayed the role of Gagan Singh Khawas, alongside Hamal appeared with Karishma Manandhar, Gauri Malla, and Divya Dutta. The film is based on the novel of the same written by Diamond Shumsher Rana. The film was also listed in "Top 10 Nepali movies you shouldn't miss" on the number six made by Xnepali.net. Hamal considers his favourite film to be Deuta, and Basanti. Bijaya Adhikari of OnlineKhabar wrote, "However, filmmakers like Nir Shah, one of the forerunners of the historical period drama genre, has been consistently making successful films in the genre like Basanti, Masaan and Seto Bagh." Rachana Chettri, and Preena Shrestha of The Kathmandu Post also wrote, "Cinematographically, the film achieves its purpose of bringing the old palaces and courtyards populated by royals and their supporters back to life." Then in 2004 Hamal appeared in a Shiva Regmi directorial film named Hami Tin Bhai. The film starred an ensemble cast of Shree Krishna Shrestha, Nikhil Upreti, Jharana Thapa, Nandita K.C., and Rekha Thapa. In 2018 it was announced the sequel of the film.
Television hosting
Hamal has twice been judge for Miss Nepal, once in 1997 with Kamal Rupakheti, Laxmi Keshari Manandhar, and Sanjaya Agarwal, the event was won by Jharana Bajracharya. After 10 years later he was the chief judge of Miss Nepal 2007, he judged alongside Malvika Subba, and Bhusan Dahal, the event was won by Sitashma Chand. In 2019, he was hosting the Nepali version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
In the media
Hamal is often referred to as "Mahanayak", and "Rajesh Dai". Karishma Manandhar, Nepali actress said, if Hamal ran for Mayor of Kathmandu she would vote for him. In July 2019 Hamal was compared to Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan, and Shah Rukh Khan by Indian mediaAaj Tak. Aaj Tak wrote, "Rajesh is such a superstar who has conferred with the title of megastar. Also Rajesh who is 55-years-old is still popular among Nepali film enthusiast which is similar to the fandom of Bollywood super stars —Amitabh and Shahrukh".
