Tribeny Rai’s debut characteristic “Shape of Momo,” an award-winner on the Busan Worldwide Movie Pageant, will open throughout India and Nepal on Might 29, launched by Rana Daggubati‘s Spirit Media with Payal Kapadia, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti serving as government producers.
Set in a Himalayan village in Sikkim, the movie traces the lives of girls throughout three generations of a single household – their emotional inheritances, unstated histories and every day negotiations. The ensemble forged consists of the late Bhanu Maya Rai, Gaumaya Gurung, Pashupati Rai, Rahul Mukhia and Shyamashree Sherpa.
“‘Shape of Momo’ is my debut feature, told from a personal lens and shaped by the women and experiences around me. As someone who observes closely, I always felt my first film had to come from that space,” Rai stated. “To now have the film release in theaters in India feels like a significant milestone for our team. We make films with the hope of experiencing them on the big screen, but we’re also aware of the challenges independent films like ours face, so to see it come together like this feels surreal but also rewarding.”
Produced by Dalley Khorsani Manufacturing in co-production with Kathkala Movies, the movie was written by Rai and Kislay, with Archana Ghangrekar as director of pictures and a predominantly feminine crew. Following its world premiere at Busan, “Shape of Momo” screened on the San Sebastián Worldwide Movie Pageant earlier than touring broadly on the worldwide circuit.
“‘Shape of Momo’ is a quietly powerful film that gently unfolds and stays with you,” stated Daggubati. “At Spirit, we’re drawn to stories that are deeply rooted in their world and told with emotional honesty, and ‘Shape of Momo’ really reflects that. We’re committed to supporting filmmakers like Tribeny, and we’re excited to bring this film to audiences.”
Akhtar, one in all three high-profile government producers on the venture, added: “With rare emotional truth, Tribeny Rai’s voice as a filmmaker is confident and clear. We love watching stories from across India, stories that bring distinct, lived-in perspectives and expand the world of Indian cinema.”
Kapadia stated: “The film feels refreshingly contemporary and Tribeny’s stance is strong and uncompromising yet by the end very touching as well. I am so thrilled that this layered film – after a commendable festival journey around the world- will now find its way to audiences across India. I really hope more people come and see this wonderful movie.”
Kagti added: “The film arrives at a moment when some of the most exciting independent cinema in India is emerging from newer voices and regions, especially from the Northeast. Films like ‘Boong,’ ‘Raptures’ and ‘Village Rockstars’ have opened up exciting new creative possibilities within Indian independent cinema, and it’s wonderful to see ‘Shape of Momo’ become part of that journey.”
Spirit Media, based by Daggubati and headquartered in Hyderabad, has established itself as a house for unbiased Indian cinema, having beforehand distributed Kapadia’s 2024 Cannes Grand Prix winner “All We Imagine as Light” and Sundance winner “Cactus Pears,” directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade.
