KATHMANDU: Artist Pujan Ghimire, widely recognized for her portrayal of ‘Puku’ in the popular teleserial “Halka Ramailo”, faced a setback after being denied an Australian visa.
Pujan’s nickname, ‘Puku’, has deep roots in her childhood. During visits to her maternal uncle’s home, a younger cousin mispronounced her name as ‘Puka’, which gradually evolved into the affectionate name ‘Puku’—a name that has stuck with her ever since.
Having starred in over a hundred music videos, Pujan’s popularity soared after she took on the role of ‘Puku’ in “Halka Ramailo”. The character name, coincidentally matching her childhood nickname, became her public identity.
“I’ve loved this nickname since I was a child,” she says. “Now, many viewers recognize me by it. Sometimes, sweet coincidences like this just happen.”
Childhood: A Blend of Dance and Academics
Born in a middle-class family in Khurkhure, Parsa, Pujan completed her early education there. She considers herself a dedicated and high-achieving student, consistently ranking first from grades one through six.
“We were given prize notebooks,” she recalls. “I didn’t have to buy any until grade six.” Though she skipped grade seven and jumped straight to the eighth, which slightly impacted her academic standing, she continued to perform well, usually ranking second, third, or fourth.
Alongside her studies, dance was her true passion. She fondly remembers winning numerous school, inter-school, and local dance competitions.
“I always led the group dances,” she says. “I even performed on stage at the Sauraha Festival, sharing platforms where national-level artists performed.”
First step into the music video industry
As a student, Pujan once dreamed of becoming a doctor, a teacher, or an air hostess. Though these goals seemed out of reach collectively, her fascination with performance gave her an unexpected path forward.
“I realized I could portray any of these roles on screen,” she shares. “That’s how the idea of becoming an artist first took root.”
Her first opportunity came while she was in 9th grade in Parsa. Through her sister’s taekwondo instructor, she landed a role in a music video.
“They were looking for someone who could dance, and my sister recommended me,” she explains.
However, her father was hesitant about her entering the entertainment field, fearing it would distract her from academics. He had hoped she would become a doctor.
Ironically, it was a story from her grandmother’s past that turned the tide. Years earlier, her grandmother had been offered a small role in a film shot in Parsa, but her grandfather didn’t approve, and she missed the opportunity. This lingering regret shaped her view.
“She didn’t want me to miss out on something I loved, the way she did,” Pujan says. “She encouraged me to go for it.”
With her grandmother’s support, Pujan made her debut in the Teej song “Herana Mayale Herana”, released in August 2015. She was still in school at the time but had already begun paving her way into the world of performing arts.
From dreams of medicine to stardom
“I was one of the three lead models in that music video,” Pujan recalls proudly about her debut performance in ‘Herana Mayale Herana’. The success of that video opened new doors. Her second appearance was in a sequel to the same song, released for Teej in June 2016.
Pursuit of a doctor’s dream in Kathmandu
After completing her +2 in Science, Pujan still tried to honor her father’s dream of seeing her become a doctor. Although her college was in Bharatpur, Chitwan, she continued to commute from her home in Parsa—a 45-minute drive.
Even during that time, she managed to appear in three more music videos. Following the popularity of her Teej songs, she was featured in singer Ramji Khand’s ‘Selfie Haandai’.
But in 2017, after +2, Pujan moved to Kathmandu with the hope of pursuing MBBS. Unfortunately, she didn’t secure a scholarship, and the high cost of private medical education was not an option. Like many of her peers, she set her sights on going abroad. But fate had other plans.
She started preparing to go to Australia. However, her visa application was rejected. “I didn’t even get to begin IELTS properly,” she shares. “I spent so much of my father’s money on the process, but the visa never came.”
That year-long academic gap became one of the hardest periods of her life. “I had always been seen as a good student. But suddenly, because of this failed plan, I felt lost. I avoided family conversations. It was the lowest point of my life.”
A turnaround
Her luck changed with an unexpected opportunity—the music video ‘Tori Pahelai’. The video became a hit, giving her career the push it needed.
“After ‘Tori Pahelai’, I started getting more offers. I didn’t need to ask my family for money anymore—not even for my expenses in Kathmandu,” she says. “Modeling in music videos covered my living and study costs.” Among all her music videos, ‘Kaha Gayau Bhangeri Chari’ remains the most viewed and widely loved.
Breaking into television with ‘Halkaa Ramaailo’
Pujan credits music videos—and TikTok—for her transition into acting. While shooting in Baglung, she posted a TikTok that caught the attention of Marichman Shrestha (Balchhi Dhurbe), the writer and director of ‘Halka Ramailo’. He reached out after seeing her video.
“We connected through TikTok. He asked for my number, and we met,” she recalls.
Raju Poudel (Raju Master) also joined the meeting. Despite the offer, Pujan had doubts. “I had only acted in music videos—no dialogue, no serious acting experience. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
But Raju Master reassured her. “He said, ‘I’ve seen your dialogue-style performances in music videos. Try it. If it doesn’t work out, your serial journey can stop there.’”
And she did try. That was three years ago. Since episode 138, Pujan has played the role of ‘Puku’—a character she now fully embodies.
“I’ve learned so much. The audience’s love and support have kept me going,” she says. “The journey with the serial is going really well.”
From unknown model to recognized star
Before her entry into the serial, Pujan had already appeared in countless music videos—sometimes shooting as many as three in a single day. Yet despite the volume of work, she hadn’t achieved widespread recognition.
That changed with ‘Halka Ramailo’. Now, people recognize her on the streets. They stop her for selfies. They know her not just as Pujan—but as Puku.
And it makes sense—’Halkaa Ramaailo’ is currently one of the most-watched serials in Nepal. And among its stars, Puku stands at the forefront.
From serial fame to the big screen
While Pujan was happy to gain recognition through ‘Halkaa Ramaailo’, something else made her even more proud: she finally made it to Australia—not as a student, but as an artist.
“I was denied a visa when I applied as a student,” she says, “but the first visa I received as an artist was for Australia. That made me feel fulfilled in a different way.”
Since then, she has traveled to more than half a dozen countries, performing as an artist and representing Nepal on international stages.
The creator of ‘Halkaa Ramaailo’, writer and director Marichman Shrestha, is now preparing to direct a film titled ‘Gobar Ganesh’. Shooting is set to begin in September, and Pujan will appear in one of the lead roles—marking her official debut on the big screen.
Will she leave the serial behind?
Despite her upcoming film role, Pujan has no plans to leave ‘Halkaa Ramaailo’. Even with potential offers from other films, the serial holds a special place in her heart.
“This serial has become an important part of my life,” she says. “It’s not just work—it has a great atmosphere, and it’s filled with the audience’s love. I want to continue with it as long as it runs.”
Comment