Shambhala, directed by Min Bahadur Bham, has won the title of Best Film of 2024. Nepal’s Film Development Board presents the National Film Awards every year.
At the award ceremony on Monday at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, President Ramchandra Paudel, presented the award.
Director Bham also won the Best Director award for the same film.
After its release in September last year, the movie received an enthusiastic response from audiences. The movie had generated significant buzz even before its release. It has already been screened at prestigious international film festivals like Berlin and Locarno.
The film’s compelling storyline, growing interest from international celebrities, and its selection as Nepal’s official entry for the Oscars all contributed to its success.
Shambhala stars Thinle and Sonam Topden in lead roles and tells the story of the polyandry tradition practised in Nepal’s western Himalayan region.
The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.2 and scores 89 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes’ review.