Fireside
Fireside is Kantipur Television's flagship talk show, airing every Monday at 9 PM. For over two decades, it has served as a trusted platform for in-depth discussions on Nepal’s most pressing socio-political issues. Hosted by renowned journalist Rupesh Shrestha, Chief of the News Department at Kantipur TV, Fireside features influential guests from political leaders to public figures who are held accountable through thoughtful and hard-hitting conversations.
Episodes
'Elephants in the Fog': Anup Poudel & Abinash Bikram Shah
When Elephants in the Fog (तिनीहरू) earned a historic Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, it drew a seven-minute standing ovation. It marked a watershed moment for Nepali cinema. But behind that international acclaim was a rigorous six-year journey that began back in 2020.In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, producer Anup Poudel and Director Abinash Bikram Shah b
Dr Gunakar Bhatta (Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission)
Two weeks after the catastrophic Bhote Koshi flash floods, initial rapid assessments reveal a staggering NPR 408 billion in total damage and losses, displacing over 33,000 citizens and destroying more than 7,600 homes. Beyond the immediate humanitarian response lies a monumental challenge: how will the state mobilise the NPR 700+ billion required for long-term, climate-resilient reconstruction?In
Fireside Legacy: Prachanda on Political Upheaval, Coalition Shifts, and Good Governance
Note to listeners: This episode is part of the 'Fireside Legacy' archive series, recorded at Baluwatar on March 18, 2024 (Chaitra 5, 2080), when Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' served as Prime Minister.In March 2024, after completing one year in office, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' made a dramatic political shift by ending his alliance with the Nepali Congress and forming a new gov
Om Prakash Aryal: From Street Activist to Home Minister & The Warning Against "Digital Fascism"
Marking one year since the historic Gen Z Movement of Bhadra 2082 and amid the recent Rasuwa BhoteKoshi flash floods, former Home Minister and Senior Advocate Om Prakash Aryal joins Fireside withRupesh Shrestha.Aryal reflects on his extraordinary 365-day cycle, from an anti-corruption campaigner on the streets toHome Minister facilitating a historic election, then back to his legal practice in the
Manish Jha: The 'Internal Critic' and the Symbol of 'Black Sunglasses'
Guest: Manish Jha, Member of Parliament, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Recording/Broadcast Period: August 2026 (Shrawan 2083)Episode Description:In the aftermath of the Falgun 2082 general elections, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) finds itself in an unprecedented position of power, commanding a near two-thirds majority. However, despite this massive mandate, the government faces significant
Rebellion within the Nepali Congress and a New Destination
Guest: Pradip Poudel, General Secretary, Nepali Congress Recording Date: August 6, 2026 (Shrawan 22, 2083)Is the Nepali Congress truly united, or was the "Special General Convention" actually the seed of a party split?. Following a significant defeat in the Falgun 2082 (February/March 2026) general elections, the main opposition party is currently embroiled in internal conflict and dissatisfaction
Rekha Thapa: The Superstar’s Political Rebellion
In this episode of Fireside, we revisit a landmark 2022 conversation with Rekha Thapa. Even in the post-2082 election landscape, her critique of "leadership syndicates" remains strikingly relevant. Thapa discusses her transition from silver-screen stardom to active politics with the RPP, challenging the traditional view of women as secondary players in governance.Key Highlights:Beyond Quotas: Why
Madhesh Conflict: State Capacity, Political Communication, and the Rise of 'Techno-Fascism'
In this episode of the Fireside Podcast, host Rupesh Shrestha sits down with Sohan Sah, researcher and former Vice-Chairman of the Madhesh Province Planning Commission, to analyse the recent religious and social tensions in the Tarai region. Sah provides a deep dive into why local "law and order" issues are escalating into national crises, pointing to a "cocktail" of state failure in conflict mana
Prof. Dr Bhola Thapa – TU's 'Purification' and the Roadmap for a Digital Future
Can Nepal’s largest and oldest academic institution, Tribhuvan University (TU), truly break free from the shackles of political sharing and administrative chaos? Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Bhola Thapa, who brings 32 years of academic experience from Kathmandu University, joins the Fireside Podcast to share his vision. Recorded on July 13, 2026, just four days into his tenure, Dr Thap
Sixit Bhatta – The Post-Mortem of Tootle and Nepal’s Sovereign AI Future
RSS Feed Description: Why did the startup that pioneered ride-sharing in Nepal fail to survive the industry it helped create? Sixit Bhatta, founder of Tootle, joins host Rupesh Shrestha for an honest look at the "track" he opened in 2073 BS and the reasons behind its eventual demise. Bhatta admits that while he succeeded as an innovator, he ultimately lost the "battle of capital" required to scale
Lhakpa Sherpa – 10 Summits, the “Monkey System,” and the Hard Truth About Life in America
In this powerful episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, we sit down with the legendary Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to successfully summit Mount Everest ten times. While the world knows her as the record-breaking "Mountain Queen" featured in a major Netflix documentary, Lhakpa reveals the gritty reality behind the glory: the immense struggle of raising her daughters as a single mother
Sudheer Sharma – The “Pandora’s Box” of Power and the Future of the Opposition
In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, recorded on June 29, 2026, we are joined by renowned author and journalist Sudheer Sharma. Using the World Cup as a metaphor, Sharma analyzes the current power dynamic between Prime Minister Balen Shah and RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane. He explores whether the RSP is simply "passing the ball" for Balen to score goals, or if the Prime Minister’s focus o
Sucheta Pyakurel-The “Interesting” Paradox of Governance and Ideological Vacuum
RSS Feed Description: In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, recorded on June 22, 2026, we sit down with political scientist Dr. Sucheta Pyakurel to conduct a searing three-month "post-mortem" of Nepal’s current government. Pyakurel, who holds a PhD in Public Affairs from the US, offers a sharp academic and practical critique of current government leadership. The conversation dives into
Bhisma Raj Angdembe – Constitutional crisis and the future of the opposition
In this critical episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, recorded on May 7, 2026, we dive into an unfolding constitutional shockwave in Nepal. Joining us is Bhishma Raj Angdembe, Leader of the Parliamentary Party of the Nepali Congress, providing an insider's account of a contentious two-hour Constitutional Council meeting. Andembe reveals how the government, chaired by Prime Minister Balen Shah
Gauri Malla – The Reel vs. Real Life of a Legend
In this "Legacy Edition" of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, we revisit a powerful conversation with the legendary actress Gauri Malla, originally broadcast on October 26, 2020 (Kartik 10, 2077 BS). With a career spanning over 35 years, Gauri Malla reflects on her journey from her debut in Santan to becoming a cornerstone of the Nepali film industry.Beyond the glamour of the screen, she opens up abo
Harka Sampang – The Voice of Labor Culture in Parliament
In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, we sit down with Harka Sampang, the former Mayor of Dharan and the current Chairperson of the Shram Sanskriti Party. Known for his unfiltered and direct style, Sampang reflects on his transition from the "free-spirited" world of local activism to the formal constraints and procedural limits of the House of Representatives. He shares his unique pers
Yogesh Bhattarai – A Call for Transformation and Leadership Transition
In this episode of Fireside with Rupesh Shrestha, broadcast on April 13, 2026, we speak with Yogesh Bhattarai, the Deputy General Secretary of CPN-UML. Following a devastating electoral defeat and the rise of a new political order led by Balendra Shah, Bhattarai offers a candid "post-mortem" of his party’s current paralysis and the need for deep internal reorganization. The dialogue dives into the
Pradeep Giri – The Final Vision for Nepali Socialism
We honor the memory of the late Pradeep Giri, one of Nepal’s most profound intellectual minds and socialist thinkers, in this archival episode of Fireside. Recorded and aired in the third week of Chaitra 2077 (April 2021), this dialogue captures the late leader’s insights just over a year before his passing on August 20, 2022.Pradeep Giri delivers a masterclass on the ethics of politics, lamenting
