Kiran KC marks birthday amid a big gathering

By Binisha Thapaliya,Lalitpur, June 30: Popular actor and comedian Kiran K.C. marked his 67th birthday amid a big gathering of film actors, comedians, singers and others on Sunday.

As it was also Dhan Diwas (National Paddy Day), the comedian, popularly known as Rata Makai, also threw a Dahi-Chiura feast for the guests. Enjoying Dahi and Chiura (yoghurt and beaten rice) on the 15th of Asar is a popular tradition in Nepal. 

The birthday ceremony held near the comedian’s house in Imadol, Lalitpur, was attended by comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha as chief guest. Filmmakers Prakash Sayami, Mohan Sharma and Deepashree Niraula actors Ramesh Upreti, Dilip Rayamajhi and Deepak Raj Giri, comedians Rajaram Poudel, Palpasa Dangol, Wilson Bikram Rai and Laxmi Giri, singer Yaman Shrestha, Nepal’s only billionaire Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of Film Development Board Nepal Dinesh D.C. and several other faces of silver and small screens were present.  

Eight persons from the entertainment and media industries and social service sector were also honoured on the occasion. Chief guest Madan Krishna Shrestha, FDB chair D. C., filmmaker Sharma and KC himself honoured them.   

Among the honourees, were  94-year-old social worker Pyara Singh Neupane and Neha Pokhrel — a social worker known for fostering over 100 children and lovingly referred to as a mother to hundreds. 

This year marked the 12th edition of the celebration hosted by K.C. Though the event paused for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed his commitment to continuing the tradition. Sharing the inspiration behind the event, he mentioned it was his wife’s idea to open up the celebration beyond his close circle and host it for the wider entertainment industry. 

On stage, Kiran K.C. reflected on the joy of celebrating at Imadol — the very area he has called home for years. “It feels different when it’s your own neighbourhood, your own people,” he said.

During his speech, he fondly mentioned his wife, children, and daughter-in-law, and paid tribute to his late parents, stating that he hoped they are having a good time in heaven. In classic Kiran K.C. fashion, he humorously acknowledged the changing times, joking, “This is not the era of long speeches, now we live in a world of 16-second TikToks,” before ending his short speech to keep up with the trend. At the very end, he requested the audience to laugh on command, and everyone complied. He encouraged them by laughing into the mic himself. It was a refreshing moment where the entertainers behind the laughter of Nepalis came together to share a heartfelt laugh.

Performances included a special act by Voice of Nepal winner Process Pandey, who delivered spot-on impressions of KP Oli and comedian Hari Bansha Acharya and sang songs for everyone. Pandey also playfully wished Kiran K.C. a 200- to 300-year lifespan, much to the audience’s amusement. 

The celebration blended humour, music, tradition, and appreciation, much like Kiran K.C.’s legacy itself.

(Thapaliya is an intern at TRN.)