Nepal's hit political satire turns 300

Plenty of material for the show's writers to draw on

The BBC's Daniel Lak looks at Nepal's longest-running political comedy show - News from Yesterday and Today - as it airs its 300th episode.

Tuesday morning in a northern suburb of Kathmandu and an unusual, yet familiar scene, is playing itself out in the home of comedian Santosh Pantha.

It's try-out day for this week's episode of Hijo, Aajako, Kura - the Nepali words for News from Yesterday and Today.

He lets us laugh at the things that frustrate

Journalist Kunda Dixit

Mr Pantha himself, looking roguishly dapper with an unshaven face and a silk cravat - his trademark Nepali topi hat on his head - is putting young hopeful actors through their paces.

Each week, for more than 300 episodes now, Mr Pantha has sought new talent to keep his programme fresh.

But the budding comedy stars pay a price for their ambition.

"Pretend you're a pimp talking to a politician," he says to one, putting a finger alongside his nose and transforming himself instantly into a sleazy character from the street.

"Make me laugh at you," he tells another.

Popular satire

Every one of the young men are subjected to his withering sense of humour.

Young actors are put through their paces

The regular cast watches with glee, bursting into frequent laughter.

Mr Pantha eventually makes his choice - Bhajan Poudel, a 25-year-old former civil servant who quit his job to become an actor.

He's about to be given his big break.

"Getting chosen to work with Santosh Pantha is an honour, " he says.

"Now I have to perform so I can really be a star."

Everything they do is funny

Santosh Pantha on politicians

Humorist and editor of the Nepali Times newspaper Kunda Dixit is a big fan of Santosh Pantha.

"He lets us laugh at the things that frustrate," according to Mr Dixit. "That's why his show is so popular.

Everyone here likes to laugh at the big people, and that's what Santosh does for us."

Political barbs

This week's episode, the 302nd, is about journalists who are too lazy to check their facts, and Bhajan Poudel gets to be one of those hapless hacks.

With Santosh Pantha hamming it up as the editor, the cast is filming at a real printing plant, much to the delight of local people.

Journalists and editors may be this week's target, but Mr Pantha says he saves his special barbs for politicians.

Large numbers of Nepalese are tuning in

"They act all the time, everything they do is funny," he says with a big grin.

"So I really don't have to write too much or act too much. I just know that people will laugh at how they're trying to hide their faults and their wrong doings."

Writing the programme takes all of Tuesday and part of Wednesday, which is also a filming day.

Thursday is spent editing and Friday is when almost every television set in Nepal is tuned to Hijo, Aajako, Kura.

Answering critics

Appropriately, it comes on state television just after the news which, in Nepal, is usually a procession of government politicians talking about their achievements - more raw material for Santosh Pantha.

We've got another 300 shows in us yet

Santosh Pantha

Some critics have written that after 300 episodes, the show is getting stale.

Put that question to Santosh Pantha and you get a joke in reply.

"I've tried to stop producing it," he protests, "but the public keeps demanding it. And all this information in my computer," he points to his head, "would just go to waste.

"We've got another 300 shows in us yet," he adds.

For now, Nepalis are voting with their channel changers, switching off Indian satellite TV and watching Hijo, Aajako, Kura in their hundreds of thousands.

"When they stop, I'll stop," is Santosh Pantha's promise.