Gangtok, May 28: Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai is set to release her debut feature film Shape of Momo in theatres across India on May 29 after the film completed a successful run on the international festival circuit.
Ahead of the nationwide release, Rai said the recognition received by the film reflects a gradual transformation in the artistic landscape of Sikkim and the wider Northeast, where creative opportunities are steadily expanding for young filmmakers and artists.
According to Rai, the idea of pursuing art as a serious profession is only now beginning to gain acceptance in Sikkim. She credited recent support from the state government for helping create spaces where aspiring artists can envision careers in cinema and other creative fields.
The filmmaker also said the response generated by Shape of Momo has increased awareness among people about the realities of filmmaking and the level of effort involved in bringing a film to completion. She expressed hope that more young people from the Northeast would now consider filmmaking as a viable career path.
Speaking about the challenges faced by women directors in the industry, Rai said female filmmakers often have to work harder to establish authority and gain recognition on film sets.
“When a man is at the helm of a shoot, people automatically take his order or listen to him. But a woman has to go an extra mile to prove that she is capable of being in charge,” she said.
Rai further noted that women in cinema are frequently required to continuously prove their capabilities despite carrying the same responsibilities as male directors.
She also pointed to the growing acceptance of independent cinema in India, saying the country’s diversity provides space for different forms of storytelling if such films receive proper distribution and audience access.
Referring to the success of independent and regional films, Rai cited works such as All We Imagine as Light, Sabar Bonda, Village Rockstars by Rima Das, and Boong by Lakshmipriya Devi as examples of regional stories successfully reaching wider audiences.
She said such releases could open new avenues for filmmakers from marginalised regions to bring their stories to audiences across the country.
Shape of Momo, Rai’s debut feature film, will hit cinemas nationwide on May 29.
