Abinash Bikram Shah reflects on filmmaking journey and family roots

Filmmaker Abinash Bikram Shah has opened up about his artistic philosophy and the personal history that shapes his cinematic vision. Shah, who achieved international recognition by winning the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival, explained that cinema serves as a gateway to understanding human imperfection. For him, films open new doors and allow people to experience emotions that might have previously felt foreign. His creative approach relies heavily on a deep curiosity about the communities he portrays. In his project 'Tiniharu', Shah incorporated specific local mannerisms, such as a sequence of three claps, the biting of cash, and spitting during blessings. These authentic details attracted collaborators to the project. Actor Aliz Ghimire, who portrays the missing daughter in the film, observed that Shah's writing felt as though he had personally lived through the lives of all his characters. Shah's personal background in Lalitpur has also played a significant role in his development. Now in his 40s, he has lived longer without his father than with him. He recalled being closer to his father, Mukesh Bikram, due to his easygoing nature, contrasted with his mother, Sudha Shah, who was instinctively strict due to her profession as a teacher. Despite early family challenges, including once having his ear torn as a child for watching television, Shah has channelled his life experiences into award-winning cinema.