| Sunil Pokharel | |
| Native Name: | सुनील पोखरेल |
| Native Name Lang: | Nepali |
| Birth Date: | 1963 6, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Noula, Khotang District, Nepal |
| Nationality: | Nepalese |
| Alma Mater: | National School of Drama, India |
| Notable Works: | Putaliko Ghar, Agniko Katha, Yajnaseni |
| Spouse: | Nisha Sharma |
| Relatives: | Sugam Pokharel (brother) |
| Awards: | National Talent Award |
Sunil Pokharel (Nepali: [[w:ne:सुनील पोखरेल|सुनील पोखरेल]]; born on 16 June 1963) is a Nepalese theatre artist and director.[1] He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Nepali theatre.[2] [3] [4] He is a graduate of National School of Drama, India (1987).[5] [6] He has directed more than four dozens of varied Nepali, Indian and European plays.[4] [7]
Sunil Pokharel was born in Noula village, in Khotang District in Nepal on 16 June 1963 as the first child of his parents. When he was an adolescent, his family moved to Mangalbare in Morang district, near Biratnagar. He completed his school education from Gograha Higher Secondary School in Biratnagar.[6] [8]
Pokhrel got a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, India in 1984. He earned his diploma in drama from this Indian government owned institution.[6]
Sunil Pokharel started his career as a theatre artist at the age of thirteen, when he was in School. In initial days, he worked with artist and director Badri Adhikari and Ramesh Budhathoki in Biratnagar.[8] Later, he moved to Kathmandu and worked in guidance of veteran Nepali theater artist Harihar Sharma. While working in Kathmandu, Pokharel got a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, India.,[6] After returning from his study in NSD, Pokharel established Aarohan Gurukul, the first drama school in the country. He is the artistic director of Aarohan Theatre Group and Principle of Gurukul: school of theatre.[6] [9]
Sunil Pokhrel is the elder brother of Nepalese pop singer Sugam Pokhrel. He and Badri Adhikari met Nisha Sharma while she was still at school. They had cast her sister as the lead in their production and they wanted a girl to play her sister. Nisha was cast despite her sister's worries that the job would distract her from her studies. Nisha became a successful actor, the chancellor of an acting academy (and his wife).[10]