Swastima Khadka | |
|---|---|
| स्वस्तिमा खड्का | |
 Khadka in 2019 | |
| Born | (1995-07-04)4 July 1995 (age 29) |
| Nationality | Nepali |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | |
Swastima Khadka (Nepali:स्वस्तिमा खड्का) (born 4 July 1995) is a Nepalese actress who predominantly works inNepali cinema. She has appeared inLove Love Love (2017),Chhakka Panja 2 (2017),Nai Nabhannu La 5 (2018), andBulbul (2019).
Khadka debuted as an actress in the 2015 teen romanceHostel Returns, for which she was nominated for theNational Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress. In 2017, Khadka appeared in the social drama filmChhakka Panja 2. That same year, Khadka starred in the drama filmBulbul. The film was selected as the Nepalese entry for theBest International Feature Film at the92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. She has been married toNischal Basnet since 2016.
Swastima Khadka was born on 4 July 1995 in Kathmandu, Nepal.[1] She completed herSchool Leaving Certificate (SLC) fromBirendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Bhaktapur.[1] Khadka holds a three-year diploma in architectural engineering from theThapathali Campus.[2] At the age of 17, she participated in the Nepali national beauty pageantMiss Teen Nepal.[3][4] She toldThe Nepali Man thatMiss Nepal was "a bit far-fetched for her" and described the experience as "a stepping stone" for her.[3]
On 14 December 2015, Khadka and film directorNischal Basnet became engaged in the presence of close relatives.[5] They married on 17 February 2016, in a private ceremony held at Kathmandu.[6]
In 2015, Khadka debuted as a film actress in Suraj Bhusal'sHostel Returns, where she starred alongsideSushil Shrestha,Najir Hussain, andSunil Rawal.[2][7] In the film, she played Alina, who is in alove triangle with two boys in her school.[7] ForHostel Returns, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in theNational Film Awards.[8] For her second film, she appeared inDipendra K. Khanal's romantic-dramaLove Love Love (2017)[9][10] where she portrayed Samriddhi, a girl whose childhood friend's love for her is not reciprocated.[9] Her portrayal of Samriddhi was praised by critics,[11] andThe Himalayan Times wrote, "Khadka's act is appealing. Her body language, gestures and dialogue delivery are brilliant."[9] Khadka also made a guest appearance in "Kutu Ma Kutu" (2017).[12] Her appearance in the song was praised by audiences and critics.[13] The reviewer forNepali Sansar wrote, "Swastima Khadka danced gracefully to this catchy Nepali number. Her sweet smile and performance will flash before us every time we listen to Kutu Ma Kutu".[14] The song became the first Nepali music video to reach 200 million views on YouTube.[15]
Later in 2017, Khadka appeared inDeepa Shree Niraula's social drama filmChhakka Panja 2.[16] In the film, she plays Akansha, a student who wants to travel to Australia to study but struggles with theInternational English Language Testing System exam required to enter the country.[16][17]The Kathmandu Post reported thatChhakka Panja 2 earned around 60 millionNepalese rupees within the first six days of release[18] and went on to become thesecond highest-grossing Nepali film.[19] When asked about her experience working with the cast members ofChhakka Panja 2, Khadka said, "Ah, I got to learn a lot! They have already been in the field for more than 20 years; they obviously know a lot more than I do. And not only did I learn stuff about movies while working with them, but also understand other areas like dealing with the media, interacting with them… everything! I admit, I get overshadowed by them sometimes but then, rather than a disadvantage, I like to think of it as an advantage to stay in the sideline and absorb what I can from them. After all, they are the superstars!".[3]
In 2018, Khadka starred in Bikash Raj Acharya's romantic-dramaNai Nabhannu La 5, the fifth installment in theNai Nabhannu La film series.[20][21] In the film, Khadka plays Ranjana, a teenage girl who shares a romance with Neer, played by debutant actor Abhisek Nepal.[22] Her performance was praised by Diwakar Pyakurel of Onlinekhabar, who wrote, "Khadka has acted as stubborn late teen; and she does it quite well."[22] The film surpassed twocrore (20 million) Nepalese rupees (approximately US$163,500 in 2020) in its first weekend.[23] Later in the same year, Khadka had a minor role in the filmChhakka Panja 3 where she played the role of aBrahmin girl who becomes the love interest of aJanajati boy.[24] Later, she appeared inJai Bhole (2018) alongsideKhagendra Lamichhane,Saugat Malla, andBuddhi Tamang.[25] The film focuses on Jai (Khagendra Lamichhane) who falls for Nisha (Swastima Khadka), but Nisha'ssworn brother interferes with them.[25]
In 2019, Khadka appeared alongsideMukun Bhusal in Binod Paudel's drama filmBulbul.[26] In the film, Khadka plays Ranakala, a student driver inKathmandu.[26] The film was selected as the Nepalese entry for theBest International Feature Film at the92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[27] About her performance, she toldThe Nepali Man, "Out of all my six movies, I received maximum appreciation [for] Bulbul. So this does mean that somewhere there is a solid part of [the] audience that [does] enjoy these independent movies. Bulbul went onto its fourth week. In this time, for any movie to run into its second week is a very good response. So, Bulbul being on its fourth is a huge feat in itself. That is why I am pretty sure that an audience who [does] understand such art movies is growing".[3] Khadka's performance was met with critical acclaim. Prakriti Kandel, writing forNepali Times, praised her, saying:[26]
Swastima Khadka's authentic portrayal of Ranakala is refreshing and captivates. Her hardships are writ large in her sombre expressions and sharp dialogues which give us a nuanced, all-round portrait of her complex psychology. One can't help but root for this simple, independent girl as she makes a living in a difficult city. She is fierce at her job, tender as a mother, understanding as a friend, struggling as a wife. But overall Ranakala embodies the femaleshakti.
— Prakriti Kandel,Nepali Times
AfterBulbul, Khadka appeared inHajar Juni Samma, andGhamad Shere the same year. InHajar Juni Samma, Khadka plays Avantika, a medical student from Sikkim.[28] Sunny Mahat ofThe Annapurna Express described the film as "a movie you’d want to watch with your female friends, just to see them cringe at the creepy old man trying to find a match for his son".[28] Rupak Risal ofMoviemandu wrote that Khadka had "done justice to [her] role".[29] InGhamad Shere, where Khadka starred as Gauri, an English teacher and sister-in-law of the main character Shere, played by Khadka's husband Nischal Basnet. Abhimanyu Dixit ofThe Kathmandu Post criticized the decision to cast Basnet and Khadka in the same film as siblings-in-law, writing, "To cast Swastima as a reel-life sister-in-law to her real-life husband Nischal might have seemed like a good idea, or something ‘different’ on paper, but it hardly works. Both actors try hard to be consistent with their respective characters but it's not enough to make us believe that they're anything except Nischal and Swastima, the real-life couple."[30]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hostel Returns | Elina | Debut film | [2] |
| 2017 | Love Love Love | Samriddhi | [9] | |
| Prem Geet 2 | — | Special appearance in a song | [31] | |
| Dui Rupaiya | — | [12] | ||
| Chhakka Panja 2 | Aakankshya | [16] | ||
| 2018 | Chhakka Panja 3 | Buddhi's Sister | Special appearance | [24] |
| Jai Bhole | Nisha | [32] | ||
| Nai Nabhannu La 5 | Anjana/Ranjana | [20] | ||
| 2019 | Bulbul | Ranakala | [27] | |
| Hajar Juni Samma | Avantika | [28] | ||
| Ghamad Shere | Gauri | [30] | ||
| 2022 | Chapali Height 3 | — | [33] | |
| Thirimali | — | Mollywood film; special appearance in a song | [34] | |
| Chiso Manchhe | Puspa | [35] | ||
| 2023 | Pashupati Prasad 2: Bhasme Don | Devi Maa / Maina | [36] | |
| Dimag Kharab | Sachhi | [37] |
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | National Film Awards Nepal | Best Supporting Actress | Hostel Returns | Nominated | [8] |
| 2019 | SAARC Film Festival | Best Performance | Bulbul | Won | [38] |
| National Film Awards Nepal | Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) | Won | [39][40] |