Chhetan Gurung

Chhetan Gurung (Nepali: छेतन गुरुङ; 5 February 1979 – 9 September 2020) was a Nepalese film director and writer known for his work in Nepali cinema. He has written scripts for Nepali films including November Rain (2014), Classic (2016), A Mero Hajur 4 (2019), and Prem Geet 3. Gurung debuted as a director from Damaru Ko Dandibiyo (2018), his last film, Prem Geet 3 which he directed in 2019 that will be released posthumously. He died from liver problems on 9 September 2020.

Chhetan Gurung
Born	(1979-02-05)5 February 1979 Nepal
Died	9 September 2020(2020-09-09) (aged 41) Kathmandu, Nepal
Years active	2014–2020

Career

In 2014, Gurung debuted as a writer with November Rain, for which he won the NFDC National Film Award for Best Writer.^[1][2] In 2016, he was nominated for the NFDC National Film Award for Best Writer for Classic.^[3] In 2018, he debuted as a film director from drama Damaru Ko Dandibiyo, a film about a former national game of Nepal.^[4] Gurung said: "I have taken the film as a good project to use my experiences in the industry and to broaden my horizon. I am excited."^[5] Damaru Ko Dandibiyo was critically acclaimed, one critic praised Gurung writing that he did a "stellar job" in the film.^[1][6]

In 2019, Gurung wrote a script for romantic-drama A Mero Hajur 3.^[7] In 2019, Gurung directed big-budget drama Prem Geet 3, the film stars Pradeep Khadka and Kristina Gurung in the lead roles.^[1][8] The film was set to be released on 10 April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[2][9][10] In 2020, he was working with producer Santosh Sen in comedy Hututu.^[1][11]

Personal life and death

Gurung was born on 5 February 1979 (Bikram Sambat: 22 Magh 2035).^[2][12] He was suffering from liver problems; on 9 September 2020 he was taken to the Metro Kathmandu Hospital where he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).^[7] He died the same day early in the morning.^[2]

Film producer Santosh Sen told The Himalayan Times that he had been vomiting blood.^[2] Sen added that he was previously on medication and was admitted to the ICU for liver problems.^[2] His last funeral rites were performed on 10 September at Swayambhunath; the funeral was attended by director Dayaram Dahal, actor Aaryan Sigdel, actor Pradeep Khaka, actress Jharana Thapa, Santosh Sen, and others.^[1][13]

Filmography

Year	Film	Credited as		Notes	Ref.
		Director	Writer
2014	November Rain	No	Yes	Screenplay	[1][14][15]
2016	Classic	No	Yes
2018	Damaru Ko Dandibiyo	Yes	No	Debut as Director
2019	A Mero Hajur 3	No	No	Screenplay & Dialogue
2022	A Mero Hajur 4	No	Yes	Screenplay & Dialogue Posthumous release
2022	Prem Geet 3	Yes	Yes	Posthumous release

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Film	Result	Ref.
2014	NFDC National Film Award	Best Writer	November Rain	Won	[1][16]
2016			Classic	Nominated	[3]
2018	Kamana Film Award	Best Debut Director	Damaru Ko Dandibiyo	Won	[17]