Carrying Coolness Up the Mountain: The Nestea Story
Some commercials are just about selling a product. Others tell a story that stays with you long after the cameras stop rolling. The Nestea commercial we produced in Nepal was one of those rare ones.
The concept was simple yet deeply human. A group of Buddhist monks carrying a modern vending machine that dispenses chilled bottled Nestea through rugged Himalayan terrain, all the way to their mountain monastery. It was about dedication, love for their community, and the lengths people will go to bring joy to others.
Filming took us through authentic Nepalese villages, across golden crop fields, into jungles, over rivers, up stone staircases, and across narrow hanging bridges. The monks walked for hours under the weight of the machine. The heat, the sweat, the dust were all part of the real, lived experience.
There was one big problem. At that time, there was no modern vending machine available in Nepal. The solution? We built one from scratch. Not one, but two. In production, hero props are non negotiable. If the main one breaks, filming stops. We cannot risk that, so we always create a backup. And yes, both were billed, because foresight and preparation are part of what makes a production professional.
The bullock cart featured in the ad was another challenge. We sourced it from the far east of Nepal, transported it by truck for 20 hours, and paired it with two bullocks brought in from another location.
Casting was a project in itself. We auditioned nearly one hundred real monks to find the perfect five leads, and then cast dozens more as extras. Their authenticity added depth and credibility that no acting could replicate.
As Line Producer, Casting Director, and Nepal Producer, my role was to make every detail possible for the 20 member Israeli crew who flew in. Our Location Nepal team handled everything from permits, customs clearance, props, art, casting, locations, and logistics. We provided a full service production experience from the moment they landed to the moment they left.
The result was not just a commercial but a heartfelt story set against the breathtaking backdrop of Nepal, executed with precision and care. Creativity has no boundaries, and when you mix it with determination, you can move mountains. Or at least carry a vending machine up one.
We take care of filming projects and photography projects of every magnitude. Big or small. We give the same attention to every detail. Throw at us any challenge and there’ll only be one answer from us at Location Nepal and Gautam Dhimal: Challenge Accepted!
