The director shouts, “Lights, camera, action,” and the actors start smiling and dancing. On screen, it might look like a normal scene but it’s actually a cold winter’s night with sub zero temperatures and the actors are dressed in gho and kira even as, around them, spectators shiver in woolen jackets and boots. This is just one of the scenes at the making of Sem Gawai Tasha, a new film from NT sound and vision, which is a high budget film with heavy casting. The film is the Bhutanese debut of Kalden Sonam Dorji better known as Kelly Dorji, who is well known in the Indian glamour industry. Miss Bhutan Tshokye Tshomo Karchung also makes her debut. Popular actors Karma Chechong and Shelkar Choden are also in the film.
Even before its release, the making of Sem Gawai Tasha appears to have caught the attention of Bhutanese film lovers.
Freezing weather has not detered fans who flocked to shooting locales, eager to catch a sight of the lead actors.
“I came to watch the shooting with my friends because Kelly Dorji is acting,” says 21-year-old Dechen, watching from the sidelines.
Kelly Dorji has been a model, choreographer as well as an actor and gained considerable recognition in the South Indian film industry after his role in Don No 1. But he has never been involved in the Bhutanese movie industry. Dressing in a gho and acting with Bhutanese co-actors is a first for him, says Kelly, who is also choreographing the action sequences in the film.
When asked why he decided to act in a Bhutanese film, he replied, “I was looking for an opportunity to contribute to the Bhutanese film industry. It feels superb to be speaking Dzongkha and acting opposite Bhutanese,”
Asked if he has plans to continue acting in Bhutanese films, he said, “I certainly hope so. I pray that I get more opportunities to work in Dzongkha films. I am certainly open to discussing more projects.”
This might be Tshokye Tshomo’s first film appearance but she is at ease, having faced the camera during a modelling stint. “The director, environment and people are good. It’s more like a family. I don’t feel like I am working at all because off-set everyone’s relaxing and on-set everyone’s working so hard. It’s a big learning experience. Since it’s my first movie I will always remember the movie and the people I work with,” she said. She plans to stay in the movie industry if she gets more offers.
Fans of Shelkar Choden will be pleased to hear that she plans to continue her career as an actor for another five or six years. This being her second movie, she is at ease with the camera and the audience. She dances gracefully, ignoring the cold. “This is my first time shooting in winter and I find it tough, especially working late nights in the cold. But everyone’s easygoing and friendly and it’s an honour to work with Kelly and Tshokye” she said.
The presence of popular comedians, Phub Thinley and Gyem Dorji, assures audiences of laughs. It is not surprising that they are as funny in real life too. At the sets as in their films, they provide comic relief. They are often seen talking as crew members around them double up in laughter. The cast and crew eat their lunch together, crammed in a small room. But no one seems to be complaining. You see people smiling, laughing and talking in between eating. A cast member is holding his script and going through it with the scriptwriter.
The crew recounts an incident while shooting in Shengana, where Phub Thinley was actually followed by a group of small kids who were his fans. They would trail him around, thrilled to see him in person.
The crew comprises 29 people. They are an important part of the whole film making process. looking at the cast and crew joking and laughing while working, it’s no wonder most of them say it does not feel like they are working. But work, they do. Take after take, when the cameras are rolling, their dedication is apparent. They make the compicated process of film shooting look easier than it really is.
Two camera units and two directors of photography were employed in making the movie. The producer, Namgay Tshering, said new filmmaking techniques were used in this movie.
Tshering Penjore (Paco), who is also a documentary filmmaker, wrote the script for this movie. According to him, the movie reflects family issues, youth concerns and human trafficking while offering bits of romance and comedy.
The film was shot in Paro, Shengana and Thimphu. With an impressive cast lined up and a talented team, the movie promises a lot.
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