KATHMANDU: Diya Maskey is a name now widely recognized by those who appreciate art in various forms. Not only an actress, Diya has also made her mark as a bold artist in her own right.
When introducing Diya, she is often referred to as a “heroine with a stage background,” an identity she finds limiting and somewhat unsatisfactory.
The reason? Her career was shaped by her early experiences in dance and television, which preceded her theater work.
Diya holds a master’s degree in Kathak (classical) dance, and her artistic journey began on the dance floor.
Though she wasn’t born into a film family, she first performed in film songs at the age of seven, laying the foundation for her future career.
Dance led her to music videos, which then transitioned into television serials, before finally finding her place in theater.
Yet, when she is introduced as a “heroine with a theater background,” much of Diya’s rich history is overlooked, leaving her with mixed feelings. And understandably so.
A childhood shaped by adversity
Diya’s roots trace back to Ason in Kathmandu, although her grandfather migrated to Sarlahi and her father later made Kupandol in Lalitpur their permanent home.
The program was designed in a way that allowed students from Kathmandu to participate without traveling to India, as exams were conducted locally by Indian examiners.
She was born in Kupandol, the youngest of three children, following an older sister and a younger brother.
At a young age, Diya’s life took a difficult turn when her father suffered a brain hemorrhage.
While he survived, his health never fully recovered, and he could no longer play a prominent role in the family.
With her father incapacitated, her mother assumed the responsibility of raising and protecting the children. Diya was under her mother’s care until she was four years old.
She received her early education at Amar Shishu Vidyalaya in Kupandol. For most of her childhood, Diya lived in the school’s hostel, where she spent four formative years.
Although she later attended a different school after Grade 5, she remained in the hostel.
This experience, however, left Diya with a sense of loss. She shares, “I should have been able to grow up under the protection of my father and mother, but I didn’t get that. Since I was living in a hostel, I can say that I don’t remember my childhood with my family.”
Academically, Diya had a laid-back approach but managed to complete her SLC in 2056 BS with a modest score.
The dance that defined her youth
For Diya, dance was the most meaningful part of her childhood. She was a favorite student of her teachers and was praised for her performances.
Teachers often described her as “an extraordinary dancer,” which fueled her growing interest in the art form.
Dance was also the reason she remained at the Amar Shishu hostel even after completing her fifth grade.
To hone her skills, Diya was trained by Raju Shah, a senior director and choreographer who would play a significant role in her dance career.
“Raju sir was the dance instructor of our school, that’s why my dancing improved,” she recalls.
Shah not only helped develop her dance but also took her to various film sets, where she performed in film songs.
At just seven years old, Diya made her film debut in the song “Jun Ta Lagyo Tarale” from “Dui Thopa Aanshu”, and later performed in the song “Sapnima Honchou Timi” from “Paribhasa”.
It was during the latter that she met Dilip Rayamajhi, who was then a chorus dancer struggling to find a role as a hero.
Shah also taught Diya how to assist others in dance, and soon, she found herself teaching dance steps to fellow artists, many of whom are active in the industry today.
Reflecting on her school days, Diya recalls that the praise she received was more meaningful than any award she might have won.
“I don’t remember how much I danced, or how many awards I won. I danced with great passion. Dance brought me only praise and encouragement,” she says.
Her journey continued to take her across the globe, starting with a performance in London, England, and eventually leading her to dance gigs in several other countries, including Japan, France, and India.
It was this encouragement from Raju Shah that inspired Diya to pursue a career in the arts. “Everyone used to say I danced well, but when Raju sir started taking me for film work, I decided I wanted to become a choreographer or dancer.”
However, as she entered adolescence, Diya’s desire to act began to take shape.
A postgraduate in dance
While completing her SLC, Diya was simultaneously pursuing a degree in Kathak (classical) dance at a university in Allahabad, India.
The program was designed in a way that allowed students from Kathmandu to participate without traveling to India, as exams were conducted locally by Indian examiners.
Age was not a barrier—if a student had the talent, they could skip classes and advance more quickly.
At 21, Diya completed her Master’s degree in Kathak dance and was awarded a gold medal for her outstanding performance.
She also studied “Bharatanatyam” during her Plus Two years, further expanding her knowledge of classical dance, which is a key form in the Indian subcontinent.
Diya also holds a master’s degree in sociology.
Meeting Mahajodi (Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya) and stepping into the world of music videos
While awaiting her SLC (entrance exam) results, Diya received an unexpected offer to join Haribansha Acharya and Madan Krishna Shrestha’s ‘Maha-Gaijatra’ as a dancer. The offer stemmed from a dance she had performed at school when she was just 10 years old.
The performance had been set to a classical Indian song sung by Prakash Gurung, with Surendra Shrestha’s “Sur-Sudha” group providing the music.
The audition turned out to be a pivotal moment, sparking her interest in acting. Diya recalls, “Anup sir held a workshop for the serial, and that made me realize acting is no light matter. I became attracted to it.”
Surendra had seen Diya’s dance and, years later, reached out to her. He asked, “If you’ve completed your SLC, we need a dancer for “Mahajodi. Do you dance?”
At the time, Diya was on leave after finishing her SLC and was also continuing her dance practice.
Eager to seize the opportunity, she joined “Mahajodi” and soon performed at the International Conference Center (now the Parliament House) in Baneshwor.
She received a salary of Rs 30,000, a significant amount in 2056 BS when three tolas of gold cost the same.
Her journey continued to take her across the globe, starting with a performance in London, England, and eventually leading her to dance gigs in several other countries, including Japan, France, and India.
Diya became increasingly known in the art world and continued to secure stage performances.
Through “Mahajodi”, Diya’s career took off, and her earnings allowed her to cover both college and personal expenses.
It wasn’t long before she was offered another role—this time as a music video model. In her debut year, she danced in three music videos, including the famous ‘Bhijo Sirani’ and ‘Kati Jaara’.
Acting breakthrough and entry into drama
Initially, Diya had little interest in acting—her passion was for becoming a dance choreographer. However, her perspective changed after an unexpected call while she was preparing for her third-year exams.
The call came from the teleserial “Dalan”, inviting her for an audition. Although Diya was not interested in acting, she decided to attend the audition out of curiosity.
To her surprise, she was selected as the lead artist in the series, alongside established actors like Anup Baral, Dayahang Rai, and Pushkar Gurung.
Diya was cast as Anup Baral’s partner in “Dalan”, directed by the current film director Nabin Subba.
Diya was selected for the film during the ‘audition practice’. Auditions for the female lead were open to actresses over the age of 24. At the time, Diya had not yet turned 24, but she decided to participate anyway.
She later learned that the casting director had seen her in the ‘Bhijyo Sirani’ music video and recommended her for the role.
The audition turned out to be a pivotal moment, sparking her interest in acting. Diya recalls, “Anup sir held a workshop for the serial, and that made me realize acting is no light matter. I became attracted to it.”
While working on “Dalan”, Diya was also offered an opportunity to act in a play. Although acting in plays had never been her focus, she embraced the chance.
This opportunity arose during the shooting of “Dalan”, when Anup Baral went to India with the play “Khuma”. As Asha Magarati, another “Dalan” artist, was also part of “Khuma”, her absence left a gap in the shooting schedule.
Diya was suggested to take Asha’s place in “Khuma”, and though her role was minor, it sparked a newfound curiosity for the stage.
After the “Dalan” shoot, Diya learned that Anup Baral was planning to open an Actor Studio, and she expressed her interest in learning acting there.
She joined the studio and became a part of the first batch of students. It was at this point that Diya officially entered the world of theater.
Although her primary background was in dance, her time at the Actor Studio deepened her curiosity for acting.
Until then, dance had been her primary source of income, and her goal had still been to become a choreographer. However, her experience in drama and acting soon piqued her interest in a whole new direction.
Debut in film
The 2008 film “Kagbeni”, directed by Bhushan Dahal, is widely considered a groundbreaking milestone in Nepali cinema. It is hailed as a film that redefined how Nepali films are perceived.
However, after “Kagbeni”, she went on to act in several short films, even though it was the feature films that truly made her a household name. Notable projects after “Kagbeni” included ‘Sungabha’, ‘Fitkiri’, and ‘Sanghuro’.
Not only was “Kagbeni” a commercial success, but it also marked Diya’s debut in the film industry. She played the central role in the film, which turned out to be a key moment in her career.
Diya was selected for the film during the ‘audition practice’. Auditions for the female lead were open to actresses over the age of 24. At the time, Diya had not yet turned 24, but she decided to participate anyway.
“I was doing a student production play after completing my studies at the Actors Studio. My drama friends and I heard that the audition was open. We knew they were looking for a girl who was 24, so we went together to practice for the film audition,” she recalls.
What began as a practice audition turned into a new chapter in Diya’s life, as she was cast in Kagbeni and introduced to the world as “Heroine Diya.”
She fondly remembers, “The first time someone asked for my autograph was after ‘Kagbeni’.”
Following her success in “Kagbeni”, Diya shifted her focus to films, solidifying her position as an established actress.
However, after “Kagbeni”, she went on to act in several short films, even though it was the feature films that truly made her a household name. Notable projects after “Kagbeni” included ‘Sungabha’, ‘Fitkiri’, and ‘Sanghuro’.
Roadies judge and film journey
In a period when Diya was not actively working in films, she was offered a unique opportunity: to become a judge on ‘Roadies’.
From her film debut until 2015, Diya was busy with a string of film roles, short films, and plays.
However, when ‘Roadies’ started airing in 2017, she took her first break from acting. During her break, she took on the judging role, which she still holds today as the show has entered its sixth season.
Despite her commitments to ‘Roadies’, Diya remains active in the film industry. This year alone, she appeared in three films: ‘Bahra Gaun’, ‘Kaarsang’, and ‘Mummy’. ‘Mummy’ is her latest film, currently being released.
Comment