Kabita Nepali’s journey is much more than just a dancing star. It is a story of passion, determination, and inspiration. In an interview with WOW’s Ankita Jain, Kabita lets us in on her ever-changing world where the only constant ever is love.
Dance is the driving force of Kabita Nepali’s life and career. “Dance is infectious. It is universally a uniting force. And to be a dancer is to know yourself, your body, and move with that power,” shares Kabita who emerged as the winner of Nepal’s first international franchise dance reality show, Boogie Woogie, in 2018. Her talent has got her featured in more than 200 Nepali music videos till date. But before getting recognised as a dancing star, Kabita was a national level Wushu athlete with gold medals to her name.
During a yearlong break from sports due to a ligament injury, she joined a dance group and landed into the highly popular Boogie Woogie dance show. “Dance is the ultimate confidence booster and the most fulfilling sport. The transition from athlete to dancer is a simple and powerful since there are so many similarities,” she says.
Sports laid the founding stone to her career in dance, and now she only wants to explore her talent in as many ways as possible. To her, dance is an art, and art is not about conformation; it’s about following your instincts and exploring. “There are no hard and fast rules. Your sensibilities change as you grow older. You want to create something that you feel is necessary to your artistic progression.”
About her early years, she recalls, “My mother was very particular about doing well academically. I was never a class topper but managed to come in second or third”. She adds, “Entertainment as a career was not taken seriously or heartily approved by the parents”. But with the ensuing success and recognition, her mother is proud of all the hard work she puts in to be successful.
For Eklo- I, I have performed my action scenes even from a height of 4200 metres. And this is first of its kind for any Nepali female actor.
Kabita introspects, “For me, dance is a serious engagement. I am continually learning and each performance gives me insights.”
Kabita signed her first Nepali film after saying no to many. “I always wanted a role that showcased a strong minded and decisive woman character. In Eklo – I, the first chapter of a sci-fi zombie thriller trilogy infused with a mythical twist, I found the perfect match,” she shares excitedly. The film claims to be Nepal’s first sci-fi movie and its production is through director Pradeep Shahi’s UK based SHY Productions. Kabita, plays the lead actor in the film which stars Benisha Hamal, Vijay Lama and Pradeep Khadka. For Eklo- I, Kabita did her own action stunts. “I didn’t want to use any stunt double and I have performed my action scenes even from a height of 4200 metres. And this is first of its kind for any Nepali female actor,” she declares.
We ask her about her transition to a career in films, and she says, “Cinema needs a different mindset. As an actor, I want to be like water that fits and takes shape of wherever it is poured into. Having said that, visual representation is immensely important to me. Even nudity presented in an artistic form looks beautiful.”
Kabita is also a co-partner of the production house, Frame in Motion which will be producing Sujoy Young directed Nepal TV series “Saahu Ba,” featuring Kabita. It is now in post-production stage.
While she was shooting for Eklo- I, Kabita was immensely fascinated by the mountains. “After watching Mt Daulagiri and Nilgiri every day from my room window when I was shooting in Jomsom, I felt like the mountains are calling me and one fine day, I just decided that I wanted to summit Mt Everest. However, life isn’t like films, I just can’t walk out of my room and reach the top. I needed training and guidance. And to get an experience, I began with Mt Lobuche,” she says.
Kabita was in constant touch with Elite Exped and with two weeks training with them, she submitted Mt Lobuche in November. “I was the only one in my group who made it to the top and I am grateful,” she shares. Now she has set her eyes on Mt Everest. “Mountaineering is like drugs,” she jokes. She adds, “It is also the most expensive sport in the world and I am currently looking for sponsors for my Everest journey.”
So, what has life taught her? “Discipline; never giving up in any situation attitude, and challenging your limits.”
Kabita, 24, is passionate to push the limits. “I want to learn skiing, do meaningful cinema, summit many mountains and learn as much as I can. Because when I am counting my last few breaths, I want to remember it all,” she concludes.
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