Payal Kapadia, Zoya Akhtar Back ‘Shape of Momo’ India Release

Tribeny Rai’s debut feature “Shape of Momo,” an award-winner at the Busan International Film Festival, will open across India and Nepal on May 29, released by Rana Daggubati‘s Spirit Media with Payal Kapadia, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti serving as executive producers.

Set in a Himalayan village in Sikkim, the film traces the lives of women across three generations of a single family – their emotional inheritances, unspoken histories and daily negotiations. The ensemble cast includes 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 said. “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 Production in co-production with Kathkala Films, the film was written by Rai and Kislay, with Archana Ghangrekar as director of photography and a predominantly female crew. Following its world premiere at Busan, “Shape of Momo” screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival before traveling widely on the international circuit.

“‘Shape of Momo’ is a quietly powerful film that gently unfolds and stays with you,” said 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 of three high-profile executive producers on the project, 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 said: “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, founded by Daggubati and headquartered in Hyderabad, has established itself as a home for independent Indian cinema, having previously distributed Kapadia’s 2024 Cannes Grand Prix winner “All We Imagine as Light” and Sundance winner “Cactus Pears,” directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade.