By Hattisar Naxal

    KATHMANDU, Dec.17 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's film industry began to be talked about in the neighbouring countries in the 90s of the last century when Nepali model and actress Manisha Koirala joined Bollywood, India's Hindi film industry.

    The versatile actress carved out a niche for herself with a variety of roles and awards.

    Now, nearly 20 years later, she is poised to return to the Nepali film industry in her own country, triggering fresh interest in Nepal and the Nepal film industry.

    A former politician, Durga Pokhrel, is producing a new film on the political developments in Nepal.

    Titled "Rajniti" (Politics), it is being directed by Nepali director Dipendra Kumar Khanal.

    The feature film, according to Khanal, will see Manisha Koiralaplaying the lead role against another Nepali superstar, actor Rajesh Hamal.

    Close on the heels of the news of Manisha's return to the Nepali film industry, now another Bollywood actor has also announced his intention to make a Nepali film as well as act in it.

    Bollywood actor Rahul Roy became a teen heart-throb in India, also in the 90s of the last century, when he made his debut in a musical love story, Aashiqui.

    Now Rahul, who is the chief executive officer of an entertainment company, One Stop Shop Entertainment, is in Nepal to announce his new venture.

    Rahul and the Indian company are planning to shoot a Nepali love story in March 2010. The director, music director as well as the rest of the cast will be from Nepal, the Bollywood actor said.

    Nepali actress Usha Poudel, known for her role of the beloved wife in the Nepali classic "Muna Madan" -- a story about a Nepaimigrant worker's struggle to find a livelihood in Tibet -- has been chosen to play the leading actress.

    Last December, another well-known Bollywood actor came to Nepal to act in a local film.

    Shakti Kapoor, the Indian film industry's favourite villain, was signed up by Nepali director Sanu Shakya to play a villainous smuggler in the Bhojpuri-language film Hum Hai Hero Hindustani (WEare heroes from HIndustan).

    In the past, other Bollywood stars like former Miss World Priyanka Chopra and actor as well as former member of Indian parliament Govinda have been to Nepal to shoot for Indian films that chose Nepal's picturesque locations.

    However, still now, the most talked about Bollywood venture in Nepal and with Nepali actors is the blockbuster "Hare Ram Hare Krishna" film made in the 1970s by Indian actor director Dev Anandon the hippies.

    The film was shot mostly in Nepal and most of the cast members and technicians were from Nepal.