The life of Boris Nikolaevich Lisanovich could serve as the basis for an exciting film. He befriended kings, turned Nepal into a tourist destination, caught a man-eating tiger, and became one of the wealthiest people in Asia. He was born on October 4, 1905, in Odessa to a well-off noble family and was passionate about art from a young age. It was his love for ballet that once saved his life. After the revolution, as an artist at the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, he emigrated. For a time, Lisanovich performed with Diaghilev's Russian Ballet, and in 1933, he found himself touring Asia. This journey changed his fate.

Lisanovich was captivated by the local culture and decided to open a club for aristocrats in India. He bought a palace and transformed it into a restaurant. This establishment allowed him to enter high society and make connections with influential people. During this time, English generals fascinated him with tiger hunting, which usually took place on elephant back. Lisanovich excelled at this and even killed a man-eating tiger that had been attacking the residents of nearby villages.

Soon, the charming Odessan formed friendships with Indian royal dynasties and actively participated in the restoration of King Tribhuvan of Nepal to the throne. In gratitude, the king gifted him a luxurious palace. Lisanovich installed sewage, telephone, and electricity there, turning the residence into a lavish hotel with a Russian cuisine restaurant. His 'Royal Hotel' hosted celebrities such as Elizabeth II, Voroshilov, Tereshkova, Agatha Christie, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Igor Stravinsky, and others.

Additionally, Lisanovich actively developed tourism, making Nepal attractive to travelers. In 1959, Life magazine named him the second most notable attraction in Nepal after Everest. Lisanovich passed away in Kathmandu in 1985.