Bhutanese Actress Ugyen Choden gives blockbuster hit debut Nepali movie ‘Dui Numbari’

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The actress shares her experience, opportunities, and insights into the film industry in Bhutan and Nepal
Ugyen Choden UC didn’t achieve success overnight in her filming career. She pushed herself harder for the last seven years while molding herself into one of the finest actresses in the Bhutanese film industry.
Having started her career with the female lead role of Phurchung Zam in ‘Loksho; the undying love of Pemai Tshewang Tashi in 2015, Ugyen gained limelight but not as much as when she gave her debut performance in a Nepali movie.
UC is also known as the modern-day Phurchung Zam in her village from Kazhi in Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan. She’s making everyone proud of her success. The is the brightest star shining at this time in Bhutan earning immeasurable praise became an unstoppable anecdote for the Bhutanese artists seeking a platform to exhibit their skills and talents on the international platform with her blockbuster debut Nepali movie titled ‘Dui Numbari’.
The actress said that the movie served as a cultural exchange moment when she was encouraged to use the Bhutanese language, Dzongkha to express excruciating pain. A scene in the Nepali movie also shows Ugyen cooking and serving Bhutan’s popular dish ‘Ema-Datshi’.
 “Dui Numbari will remain close to my heart. I was able to present Bhutanese culture and traditions through the movie as well as post-production promotions,” said the actress.
She added, “I am also glad to convey a social message on the darker side of illegal animal hunting culture.” She related the illegal hunting that might still be happening in some rural parts of the country. Ugyen believes that such activity will disturb the food chain, thus human-wildlife conflicts are evident in Bhutan too.
The movie teaser shows Ugyen expressing her excruciating pain in Dzongkha, using local terms like ‘ala and atsa’. There are some music scenes where Ugyen was seen wearing intricate Bhutanese textiles.
Ugyen Choden said, “Wear our national and His Majesty’s batch was the proudest moment.”
In the movie, Ugyen Choden plays one of the four major lead roles against three Nepali co-actors Dayhang Rai, Saugat Malla, and Upasana Singh.
Dui Numbari is running successfully for the third week in 180 movie halls across Nepal and is also being screened in Australia on public request. 
Dui Numbari is a comedy and social drama revolving around the two lead male actors sustaining life through illegal wildlife hunting. The movie starts and ends with the Bhutanese actress with a greater role in bringing the climax.
Ugyen Choden said that she plays an s Bhutanese girl who visits Nepal where her parents died in a plane crash while she was still a student. She gets shot as the hunter misfires and the story begins.
Although Ugyen coped with some minor challenges easily, she said, “Since my grip on the Nepali language which is similar to Bhutan’s southern language ‘lhotsham kha’ that is not as fluent, I struggled to deliver my dialogues but I believe, I gave my 100 percent and memorized the lines with the help of the casting crew.”
Ugyen added that she was more comfortable in Bhutanese costumes and wearing Nepali costumes was one of the challenges for her. Ugyen however, enjoyed Nepali food which she finds similar to what one could find in Bhutan.
Since both countries are nestled along the Himalayan Mountain range with similar weather patterns, Ugyen said, “I felt at home in Nepal with all the casting crew and production team being generous and reliable.”
“Whenever out of the station, I don’t represent myself or my career alone. I take along my country and its unique culture. Thus, I am always mindful,” said Ugyen Choden.
The actress also believes that the opportunity to act in a Nepali movie was a major turning point in her life. 
She said, “It’s a privilege for me as the audiences are appreciating my acting skills as a newcomer in their film industry. I was told that many outsiders struggled to impress Nepali audiences. Thus, I feel proud and blessed for all the love they have showered upon me.”
Ugyen Choden opened the door for many Bhutanese artists who wish to expand their career opportunities. The actress believes that there is bigger room for collaboration among the artists in both countries.
She said, “When a normal woman like me coming from a humble family background with basic education can cross the boundary, I believe there are many better artists who can try and push themselves for greater achievement.” 
“I am also aware that our youth look up to us, the artists, as an inspiration. So, showing them that there’s no boundary to one’s dream if one has the talent and skill backed up by a strong willingness to work harder with all dedication and commitment, then success is all yours,” said Ugyen Choden.
Ugyen realized her dream back in 2014 when her previous office shot a Bhutanese film ‘Jignang’ where she was forced to play a minor supporting role.
Director Wangchuk Talop and producer Pem Tshering approached her to play the role of Phurchung Zam against legendary Pemai Tshewang Trashi. “I am grateful for the offer now, although I was timid and hesitant at that time, it shaped my acting career. And thanks to my supportive mother and aunt for pushing me to accept the role of Phurchung Zam, a legendary figure from my village.”
With Dui Numbari, Ugyen Choden acted in 15 films, 14 Bhutanese films, one Nepali film, and one Nepali music video. She also tried directing in 2019, with the movie Khuju Tshering. “As an artist having tried both acting and directing, I must admit that acting is way harder.”
Although Ugyen was paid better for 25-30 minutes of screen time in Nepal, she mentioned that the film industry is male-dominated with comparatively lesser payments and incentives for the female lead roles, irrespective of difficulties associated with the character’s role.
Ugyen was paid, a Nepali Rupee of 1.5 million whereas the male lead actor was paid 3.5 million and entitled to some bonus payment if the movie turns out to be a success.
However, Ugyen claimed that she was not complaining as the payment she earned in Nepal is much better than what Bhutanese artists are normally paid in Bhutan. She said, “Like anywhere in the world, the film industry in Nepal and Bhutan are both patriarchal in nature. However, such factors are impacting today’s generation.”
Whereas, in Bhutan, actresses are usually paid between Nu 250,000 to 300,000 and the OTT platform pays between 100,000 to 150,000.
Ugyen claimed that she not only gained extra fame and fans but also learned many lessons which she could implement in Bhutan. She said, “The Nepali team is so punctual and professional starting from pre-production till the post-production. Artists are coached before making them act before the camera, everyone is involved in film promotion and marketing. Most importantly, they respect the artist and listen to the artist and there’s some room to work out of the script. Thus, the film becomes even more entertaining.”
Ugyen also said that the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for her as he could prepare herself better to fit the role. She said that she gained weight to match her co-actor although it was not outlined. Moreover, she used minimal makeup to do justice to a traumatized her character as a traumatized daughter and wore neutral-colored dresses in the majority of the scene.
Dui Numbari actress hopes that many Bhutanese artists get an opportunity to take their talent to new heights and keep earning love and blessings from audiences around the world. “I would like to thank every audience that showed love to me,” reminded Ugyen Choden UC.