Manjila Baniya

Cool Pokharel (1974–2004) was a pioneering Nepali pop singer whose soulful voice helped shape the early 2000s music scene. Known as the “King of Nepali Pop,” he blended soft rock, pop, and sentimental melodies that resonated deeply with young listeners. His iconic songs “Sun Meri Mayalu,” “Aaja Feri,” “Sustari Sustari,” “Bichodko Dukhale,” and “Yeslai Maya Bhanchan” remain timeless favorites. Cool’s gentle vocal tone, emotional delivery, and relatable lyrics made him a defining figure of modern Nepali music. Despite his short life, his influence continues to inspire new artists, and his songs are still celebrated across Nepal and the diaspora. His legacy lives on as one of Nepal’s most beloved musical voices.

Saran Kumar Pradhan (1943–1974) was one of Darjeeling’s most gifted lyricists, composers, and mandolin virtuosos, shaping the golden era of modern Nepali music. Born on 4 May 1943, he grew up in a culturally vibrant Darjeeling and taught himself banjo, harmonium, and mandolin with remarkable mastery. A science graduate from St. Joseph’s College, he later taught at St. Robert’s School, where he also composed the school anthem. A student of maestro Amber Gurung, Saran emerged as a leading figure of Adhunik music alongside Aruna Lama, whom he married in 1963. Their partnership produced timeless classics such as “Yaha Ful Nakhili Cha,” “Sabaile Bhanthe,” “Hera Na Hera Kancha,” and many others. His music club Sangeet Sangam became a creative hub that nurtured Darjeeling’s finest talents. Saran passed away in 1974 at just 31, leaving behind a luminous body of work that continues to define Nepali musical heritage.

Zaun Yonzan is a Nepali filmmaker best known as the director of Crawling Crows: Aankha, Nepal’s first film to win Best Film at the 62nd Asia Pacific Film Festival in 2025. His work blends bold visual language with socially rooted storytelling, positioning him among the new-generation directors bringing Nepali cinema to global attention.

(Writer • Director • Producer • Creator of the Nai Nabhannu La Franchise) Bikash Raj Acharya (born April 7, 1962) is one of Nepal’s most commercially successful film directors, writers, and producers, best known for creating the blockbuster Nai Nabhannu La franchise — one of the highest‑earning and longest‑running series in Nepali cinema. Active since the mid‑1990s, Acharya has shaped mainstream Nepali film through emotional storytelling, family‑drama narratives, and youth‑centric romantic films. His work spans more than 40+ films, with credits across direction, story, screenplay, dialogue, lyrics, and production, making him one of the most versatile creators in the industry.