Kathmandu As Ananta Prakash, an actor enters his house, he finds his wife and children already asleep. But he starts talking to his wife — about difference between real life and acting. He narrates his failure to make money to fulfil his family’s and his needs. Thus, actors like him migrate to foreign lands in search of a quality life. Actor Saroj Khanal performed the role of Ananta Prakash in the five-minute-long solo play that tried to reflect why Nepali actors are migrating to a foreign land just like Khanal did some 17 years ago. “When I went to the USA, I felt I must provide a quality life and education for my children. The system there is good and it attracted me as things were not satisfactory in Nepal then,” Khanal expressed after his performance at ‘Antaranga- Saroj Khanal Sanga 60 Minute’ — a conversation programme organised by Sarwanam Theatre, Kalikasthan on July 11. Watching his short performance, one could say that indeed he is a good actor and he hasn’t forgotten to act even after being away from this field for such a long time. His display of emotions and dialogue delivery were brilliant. But the actor was “scared while performing on stage”. The play directed by Ashesh Malla is Khanal’s comeback in Nepali theatre. Khanal debuted in Nepali theatre with Badri Adhikari’s play Bhasmashurko Nalihaad in 1990/91. Since then he did not have to look back as an actor. He performed in 25 plays, 35 films and 15/16 TV series in his nearly a decade-long acting career before migrating to the USA. Now Khanal is back for good “to gain applause, to show my acting and to take the blessings from my loving audiences”. He was sharing his story to the audience seated in the theatre. “My life here was not different than that of a frog in a well. But journey from Nepal to America wasn’t even better. It was like jumping from pan to the fire,” he added. However, the devastating April 25 earthquake brought a change in his life — the words Aile Nagare Kaile Garne, Hamile Nagare Kalle Garne (If not now then when, if not we then who) inspired him to make a decision to leave the US and live in Nepal permanently. Now, he is eager to resume his acting career in both film and theatre. “I have already signed some movies. There is a shooting scheduled on July 26 for one,” he revealed. How has he observed the Nepali movies and audience then? He answered, “The audience have become smart. So, movies with good content should be given to them. If we can make movies reflecting our culture and story, they will be better.” So, what kind of role is he playing? “The role that I play must be memorable for the audience.”