The award-winning independent film Shape of Momo is officially scheduled for its theatrical release across India and Nepal on May 29, 2026. The film is arriving in cinemas with major industry backing from actor-producer Rana Daggubati’s company, Spirit Media.
The Story and Theme:
- The Setting: The film is set in a beautiful Himalayan village in Sikkim.
- The Plot: It traces the intimate, daily lives of women across three generations within a single family. The narrative explores how their lives are shaped by unspoken feelings, silence, family inheritance, and everyday choices.
- The Core Message: Written by Tribeny Rai alongside co-writer Kislay, the story focuses on a young woman’s deep conflict between wanting to build a life of her own and her complicated attachment to her home town.
The Production and Star-Studded Crew:
- The Director: The movie marks the debut feature film of Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai. She wanted to bring dignity to the depiction of mountain communities, noting that local people are usually relegated to the background in mainstream media.
- The Producers: The film is produced by Dalley Khorsani Production in co-production with Kathkala Films, featuring a crew that is led largely by women.
- Executive Producers: A powerful group of top-tier Indian filmmakers have come on board to champion the movie, including:
- Payal Kapadia (Cannes Grand Prix winner)
- Zoya Akhtar
- Reema Kagti
The Ensemble Cast: The cast brings together a talented group of actors, featuring:
- The late Banu Maya Rai
- Gaumaya Gurung
- Pashupati Rai
- Rahul Mukhia
- Shyamashree Sherpa
Global Success and Distribution Details:
- Festival Journey: Before securing its commercial release, Shape of Momo had a highly successful run at major global events. It screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and won two awards at the Busan International Film Festival (the Taipei Film Commission Award and the Songwon Vision Award). It was also nominated for the 2026 Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award.
- Release Cities: Outside of Sikkim and Nepal, the team has organized dedicated theatrical screenings in major hubs including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, North Bengal, and Guwahati.
Industry Praise:
- Rana Daggubati described the film as a “quietly powerful” story told with immense emotional honesty.
- Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti both praised the director’s confident, clear voice and her sensitivity in capturing the unique culture and intergenerational bonds of the Northeast.
- Payal Kapadia called it a refreshingly contemporary and deeply moving coming-of-age story, expressing her excitement that a wider public audience will finally get to experience it on the big screen.
