Kathmandu – Actor Saroj Khanal is a familiar name in both theatre and Nepali cinema. With over thirty plays and more than a hundred films to his credit, Khanal has established himself as a versatile performer.
Recently, after an eight-year gap, he returned to the stage with the play Manjira: The Muted Melody, while continuing to work in films as a supporting actor.
After performing in the 2074 BS (2017 AD) play Bahr Durvasa, Khanal focused primarily on cinema. However, feeling that his acting lacked discipline amidst continuous film work, he took a two-month break to return to theatre.
During this period, he also acted in three to four films, yet the satisfaction theatre offered could hardly be matched. That motivated him to invest two months of dedicated effort into bringing a fresh depth to his role.
“After returning from the U.S., I started acting in theatre. Stage work gives me the chance to understand myself better—I come here to learn and explore,” Khanal said.
While he has worked hard in films, performing supporting roles no longer demands the extra effort he once needed. Directors present him on screen as audiences expect, and he does not need to breathe life into the character beyond what is required. This realization made him feel it was the right time to return to the stage.
“In films, I mainly act as a supporting actor. I perform the role as directed, and daily shooting schedules are not continuous. If a scene is not perfect, it can be reshot. This technical advantage exists in cinema. Theatre is different—everything happens live, in front of the audience. If we do not work hard, the result is immediately visible,” he explained.
In theatre, an actor lives as the character for two to three months. Daily performances allow the character to develop a soul of its own, creating a deep emotional connection.
Manjira: The Muted Melody portrays the story of an ordinary woman forced to endure sexual violence during Nepal’s conflict. Khanal noted that even though he was abroad during the conflict, learning about these events through media, he could empathize deeply with the psychological trauma they caused.
“Even those who had no direct involvement in the conflict are affected. While we understand the physical wounds of war, the emotional scars remain largely unseen. Through this play, we have tried to convey that unseen pain,” Khanal said.
The play highlights the cruelty of conflict, questioning the justice system and the state while advocating for the rights of women affected by violence. It tells the story of Manjira (Saraswati Chaudhary), who lives with the scars of war, and her interactions with lawyer Gopal (Saroj Khanal), who seeks peace in Bardiya after working in Kathmandu.
The narrative also weaves in the experiences of Gopal’s family, including his wife Shanti (Sarita Giri), whose discomfort in Bardiya is alleviated when news arrives of Gopal’s appointment as the head of a high-level commission addressing victims of conflict. A visiting relative, Kavindra (Anup Nyaupane), inadvertently brings the past trauma to the present stage, setting off the unfolding investigation.
Khanal admitted that performing the emotionally charged scenes continues to move him deeply. “In the final scenes, I cannot stop my tears. How many people, like Manjira, continue to carry unaddressed wounds? Those who were not even directly involved in the conflict but whose battles remain ongoing,” he said.
While Khanal regrets that individuals connected to the conflict have not attended the play, he is heartened by the response from ordinary viewers. “Some audience members have expressed that our voices will now be heard, others felt personally connected to Manjira’s story. This is perhaps the truest impact we, as artists, can achieve,” he said.
The satisfaction from theatre has inspired Khanal to commit to acting in at least two plays each year. Unlike earlier, when films took precedence over stage work, theatre now holds primary importance for him. “Continuous film work makes me realize the need for theatre to refine my acting skills. Stage discipline helps maintain the integrity of my craft,” he said.
Khanal’s determination to explore new acting styles and work alongside junior actors with equal energy defines him as a committed and hardworking theatre artist. “Theatre makes an actor confront their abilities head-on. The energy and learning I gain here will reflect in my future work,” he added.
Directed by Somnath Khanal, Manjira: The Muted Melody was regularly staged at Mandala Theatre until Asar 8 (June 21) and will continue with booked shows on upcoming weekends.
