5 milestones of Chhabi Raj Ojha as a Nepali movie producer was first published on Feb 9, 2014. I have re-written the post and updated with one more milestone added at the end. So, it has now become “6 milestones of Chhabi Raj Ojha”.
In 2040 BS Chhabi Raj Ojha started the distribution of Hindi movie. Originally from Dharan, Chhabi moved to Kathmandu to start film distribution. The first Nepali movie he distributed was ‘Bhagya Rekha’ – a movie produced by Chiranjivi Basnet and directed by Deepak Rayamajhi. At that time, he had also gone to Madras for the post production of the movie. Although the movie wasn’t successful commercially, it taught Chhabi the film business. The failure of ‘Bhagyarekha’ prompted Chhabi to find out the reason the movie wasn’t successful. After analysis of the cause and the solution, Chhabi proposed a new concept to the director Deepak Rayamajhi and he also promised to finance the movie.
Updated video on Chhabi’s milestones:
Producer Chhabi Raj Ojha’s film production milestones:
Milestone 1 -Yug Dekhi Yug Samma
The movie ‘Yug Dekha Yug Samma’ marks the debut of Chhabi as a producer. The movie was also the debut movie of Rajesh Hamal and action director Rajendra Khadgi. All three new faces in the film industry – Chhabi Raj Ojha, Rajesh Hamal and Rajendra Khadgi made it big in the Nepali movie industry.
The 1990 movie Yug Dekhi Yug Samma was made on the script and directorship by Deepak Rayamajhi. Deepak Rayamajhi who is also the maternal uncle of the actor Rajesh Hamal. The story of the movie was written by Kuber and the dialogue was written by Mohan Niraula.
Chhabi’s second wife Geetanjali was featured in ‘Janmabhumi’. The actress committed suicide and in Chhabi’s next project, he had to find a new actress. The new actress became his third wife – creating the second milestone:
Milestone 2Â -Hero
The second milestone was Chhabi’s fourth movie, ‘Hero’. During the production of the movie met his future wife of a decade, Rekha Thapa. The movie was made under a new partnership and new company called Nameste Nepal. The company was formed by a partnership of Chhabi with Shyam Khetan and Naresh Poudel. The movie also debuted another actress Poojana Pradhan.
After ‘Hero’ all his movies of Chhabi Raj Ojha, until ‘Loafer’ featured Rekha Thapa in leading role. As, most of the movies were successful, Rekha ultimately became the number one actress in the Nepali movie industry.
Milestone 3 -Â Ajambari Nata
Chhabi Raj Ojha’s seventh movie, ‘Ajambari Nata’ can be considered the third milestone in Chhabi’s film making. The partnership made between Chhabi, Shyam Khetan and Naresh Poudel broke after producing three movies. There were rumours that Rekha was the cause behind the problem between the partners. That is just a rumour – but, that incident opened up a new avenue in Rekha Thapa’s life. She became a producer in Chhabi’s seventh movie.
The movie was made under Rekha Films banner – named after his wife of that time Rekha Thapa. All Chhabi’s movies, until 2013, were made under Rekha Films banner. Rekha kept the banner to herself after the divorce of 2012. The divorce however was legally finalized in 2016.
Milestone 4Â -Â Hamesha
After enjoying being the sole actress in Chhabi’s home production movies, Rekha decided that she is capable of producing movies on her own. In 2012, Rekha took the Rekha Films to herself and told Chhabi to go on his own. That was when the ‘Hamesha‘ was produced, the fourth milestone in producer Chhabi Raj Ojha’s life.
Although the movie still had Rekha Films banner name in it’s poster, an additional banner Chhabiraj Films was also attached to it. The movie marks the first movie Chhabi made after the 2012 divorce. Although they were divorced, Rekha still had some stuffs to learn from Chhabi. So, she made him a business partner. But, that was the end of it. In the next Rekha Films movie, ‘Kali’ Chhabi was named the executive producer and was involved only in the distribution of the movie. After that, in ‘Himmatwali’ there was no mention of Chhabi in Rekha Films movies.
Milestone 5Â -Â Loafer
I think, ‘Loafer‘ is the fifth milestone, in which, Chhabi broke off from Rekha Films and Rekha Thapa completely. Rekha produced ‘Kali‘ (under Rekha Films) and ‘Loafer’ (under Chhabiraj Films) independently. Initially ‘Kali’ and ‘Loafer’ were scheduled to release on the same dat. But, at the time of release, Rekha acted smartly and asked Chhabi to distribute ‘Kali’ and forced him to delay ‘Loafer’ release. As a result, ‘Kali’ became a hit and ‘Loafer’ flopped.
Milestone 6Â -Â Lazza
I would add one more milestone in Chhabi’s life as the new actress, Shilpa Pokharel debuted in ‘Lazza’ and is going to be the fourth wife of Chhabi. It seems, Shilpa is following Rekha’s path with successful movies in row. After the success of ‘Lazza’, Shilpa’s movies ‘Hawaldar Suntali’ and ‘Kismat 2’ were also able to give return of the investment. Shilpa’s movies out of Chhabi’s banner were however total failure.
Chhabi has told that everything is set for his marriage to Shilpa and he is waiting for the right time the astronomers have given.
Actresses in Chhabi Raj Ojah movies
For the first time after meeting Rekha in ‘Hero’ Chhabi featured Rekha in every movies he made until ‘Loafer’. In ‘Loafer’ Chhabi featured Rajani KC in leading role. Known for having the same actress in all movie, Chhabi however changed actress in his next movie ‘Lazza‘. The movie debuts another actress, Shilpa Pokharel. Now, Shilpa Pokharel seems to be ‘Rekha Thapa 2’ as both Shilpa and Chhabi have confirmed their marriage soon.
Shilpa and Chhabi are also equal partner in the production of the ‘Hifajat’ sequel ‘Hifajat 2’. I think, Shilpa Films is likely the future of the team up (like Rekha Films). Rekha is also producing the sequel of their movie ‘Kasle Choryo Mero Man Again’.
Full list of movies produced by Chhabi Raj Ojha (click on the name with links to watch the movie):
- Yug Dekhi Yug Samma (Watch ‘Yug Dekhi Yug Samma)
- Nata (watch ‘Nata’ here)
- Janmabhumi (Watch ‘Janmabhumi’ here)
- Hero (watch ‘Hero’ here)
- Kasto Saino (Watch ‘Kasto Saino’)
- Yestai Rahechha Jindagi (‘Yestai Rahechha Jindagi’ isn’t available now)
- Ajambari Nata (watch ‘Ajambari Nata’ here)
- Himmat (Watch ‘Himmat’ here)
- Kismat (Watch ‘Kismat’ here)
- Hifajat (Watch Hifajat here)
- Kasle Choryo Mero Man (watch ‘Kasle Choryo Mero Man’)
- Andaaz (Watch ‘Andaaz’ here)
- Rawan (Watch ‘Rawan’ here)
- Lanka (watch ‘Lanka’ here
- Hamesha (Watch Hamesha here)
- Loafer (Watch ‘Loafer’ here)
- Lazza (watch ‘Lazza’ here)
- Hawaldar Suntali (Watch ‘Hawaldar Suntali’ here)
- Kismat 2 (the movie is not available yet)
