He is deeply inspired by the late actor Marlon Brando and was said to have said that his character in On the Waterfront would be his choice of movie if it were to be remade in Nepalese.

At leisure Rajesh Hamal likes to watch the news on BBC, CNN and other news channels and read non-fiction books and biographies. He is inspired by the teachings of H.H. 14th Dalai Lama and is very supportive of the cause for improving the lives of oppressed Tibetans in Tibet-occupied China, as well as the Tibetan refugees’ scenario in Nepal and India. Rajesh Hamal is said to like to think, look back and look ahead at his life. He believes in the natural cause of law and effect of Karma.

He is afraid of heights. For a recent movie scene, he couldn’t Bunjee jumping and so he had the stuntman fill in. On another occasion, during a fight scene, his sword fell of its hilt and knocked four teeth of the cameraman. Rajesh Hamal’s pet dog is named ‘Johnny’ after he was awed by the role of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. As of July 2011, the dog has been missing and is presumed dead.

Career

Rajesh Hamal in his college years first modelled for Fashion Net, an Indian magazine in 1995; he walked the ramp in Kathmandu and New Delhi in 1986. He started his career with the movie Yug Dekhi Yug Samma in 1991, a film made by his uncle. Initially, his parents were disappointed with his career choice. He is considered a prominent figure in bringing professionalism in the Nepali movie industry. From the start of his career, he worked no less than 10 to 12 films a year. Later, in his prime years, he even starred in more than 20 movies a year. Till date he has worked in over 230 Nepali films and one Pakistani movie.

In 1994, director Tulsi Ghimire’s film Deuta shot Rajesh Hamal into super-stardom. He admits that due to his extremely busy schedule he does not always get time to see his own movies. Later he did other hit films like Prithivi, Jeevan Shangarsha, Chandal, Jun Tara, Kancha, Mato Bolcha, Nagad Narayan. These movies were box office hits and proves Hamal as a successful actor in Nepali cinema.

Film career

In 1993, Hamal debuted in Deepak Raimajhi's "Yug dekhi yug samma" opposite to the debutant actress Kristi Mainali. The film was a huge success. In 1993 he only did one film, Adhikar. The film was moderate at the box office. 1994 proved a best year with 10 movies. All movies were hit at box office. Hamal proved himself as successful and leading actor in Nepali cinema. In 1999 Hamal's first was film "Chadani" along with actress Niruta Singh where he played a role of Arjun who was son of the rich man and fell in love with a village girl. Later he appeared in films "Ranabhomi, 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. The film was super hit at box office and Hamal earned many nominations for his performance and also won best actor awards.

In 2000 he appeared in film "Basanti" along with actress Karishma Manandhar with whom he had worked in many films. This Film was based on the era of Prithivi Narayan Shah. Audiences appreciated his acting and this film proved to be the highest grossing of 2000 in Nepali cinema. Later he worked in films like Dhuk dhuki, Upakar, Asirbad, Nepal Pyaro Chha yug samma". Once again his acting was liked by his fans in the film. In 2009 he appeared in film "Raju Raja Ram" along with two other stars of Nepali film industry, Bhuwan K.C. and Shiv Shrestha, where he played role of Raju. The film became a super hit at box office. After the hits of his many films his name was turned into "Superstar of Nepal".

He also did special appearance in 2011 super hit film "Bato muni ko phool" as ACP. His last release in 2011 was "Dulhai" which was moderate in box office. Later he appeared in many programme like the Nepali comedy show, reality shows, and award functions. He was also a special guest in 2011 Miss Angel programme.

He worked with several actress in his 21 years film career. There was rumors that he was in affair with actress like Karishma Manandhar, Jal Shah, Pooja Chand, Bipana Thapa. It was also rumored that he was going to get married with Jal Shah. In 2011 another rumored came that his life size wax figure was installed at London's prestigious Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Filmography