Gyanendra Bahadur Deuja (b. 1967)
Birthplace:
Kapan, Nepal
Born:
May 5, 1967
Gyanendra Deuja is a Nepali film director and screenwriter known for his innovative and socially relevant movies. He directed his first film, "Rakshak," in 1997, which featured the first underwater action scene in Nepali cinema. One of his notable works is "Muna Madan," based on the epic poem by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, which was Nepal's submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Oscars. Deuja's latest film, "Buddha - born in Nepal," explores the story of a struggling Nepali student in America. Born in Kapan, Nepal, Deuja pursued a career in banking alongside his filmmaking endeavors. He began his journey in the entertainment industry by working in theater and later transitioned to television, where he gained experience as a production assistant and chief assistant director. Deuja's reputation grew with each film, characterized by his experimental approach and focus on contemporary social issues. Some of Deuja's notable films include "Gorkhali," "Dagbatti," "Kurukshetra," and "Barmala." His film "Muna Madan" received critical acclaim and international recognition, being screened at the Palm Springs Film Festival and nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars. Aside from his work in cinema, Deuja has also made contributions to Nepali television, including shows like "Golmaal," "Aankna Khulyo," "Ghaito Ma Gham," and "Kamaiya." Throughout his career, Gyanendra Deuja has been recognized for his directorial achievements. He received the Prakash Thapa Memorial Award and the KTV Film Award for his movie "Dewar Babu," and was nominated for Best Director at the NEFTA TTV Award and the Samjhana Digital Film Award for his films "Rana Sangram" and "Hifajat," respectively.