KATHMANDU, Oct 6: A Nepali film is preparing to take a much bigger journey.
Himalayan Gold, the directorial debut of Dhiraaj Rajbanshi, is set to reach audiences across India after signing a distribution deal with AA Films, one of the country’s most prominent film distributors. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on November 20.
For Nepali cinema, the deal is more than a release across the border. It marks the first time a Nepali film has secured a nationwide Indian release through a distributor of AA Films’ stature.
The agreement was signed in Mumbai with AA Films founder Anil Thadani, whose company has been behind the Indian distribution of major blockbusters including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Baahubali, RRR, KGF: Chapter 2, Pushpa and Kantara.
Akshay Kumar reacts to boycott 'Raksha Bandhan', 'Laal Singh Ch...
For Rajbanshi, the moment is difficult to put into words.
“I cannot even begin to put into words how huge this is, not just for me but for the entire Nepali film industry,” he said, thanking Thadani and AA Films for believing in the film and giving it an all-India release.
“With their backing, this film will now reach audiences everywhere. This is exactly the kind of motivation our industry is constantly seeking, and to receive this level of support for my debut film honestly means everything to me,” Rajbanshi said.
Thadani said the decision to distribute Himalayan Gold was driven by its content and its potential to connect with audiences beyond language and geographical boundaries.
“Himalayan Gold is a film with exceptional content that audiences across India deserve to experience,” he said. “It is a privilege for us to associate with the talented team behind it, and we are confident that audiences will break language barriers to embrace and love this film.”
The film brings together a cast featuring veteran actor Sunil Thapa, Rahul N. Mukhia, Parikshya Limbu, Sajan Thapa and Karma Shakya.
But its journey to Indian theaters carries a particularly poignant note. Himalayan Gold is the final film of Thapa, a veteran of Nepali cinema whose career has spanned decades and left a lasting impression on generations of viewers.
For Rajbanshi, taking Thapa’s final performance to audiences in both Nepal and India makes the film’s journey even more meaningful. He described the wider release as a fitting tribute to the veteran actor’s contribution to Nepali cinema.
With November 20 drawing closer, another milestone is just around the corner. The film’s trailer is scheduled to be released this coming Monday, giving audiences their first major glimpse of Himalayan Gold.
And as the film prepares to travel beyond Nepal, its title seems increasingly fitting: a story born in the Himalayas is now getting ready to find a much larger audience.
.jpg)
