The Man from Kathmandu

A young American-Nepali man, raised between Hindu and Muslim traditions, is on his way to join the conflict in Syria when he pauses in Kathmandu and everything changes. While in the city he uncovers the brutal murder of his grandfather, a crime tied to a powerful local don. What starts as an urge for revenge shifts into something broader, as he spends time among relatives, faces old memories, and reengages with the customs he grew up apart from. The film follows his shifting priorities and the ways a place can reshape a person, without revealing how his choices finally play out.

Directed by Pema Dhondup and released in 2019, the film features Anna Sharma, Gulshan Grover, Karma Shakya, Neer Bikram Shah, and Mithila Sharma. It was shot largely on location in Nepal, using Kathmandu's streets and landscapes as a central element.

The movie did not register major box office totals internationally and had a relatively low profile outside regional markets. It reached a limited audience, relying more on niche interest and festival screenings than broad theatrical runs.

By centering a hybrid identity and a Himalayan setting, the film helped draw attention to Nepali locations and contemporary social tensions for viewers unfamiliar with them. Its portrayal of family rituals, local power dynamics, and street-level life in Kathmandu gave overseas audiences a more textured image of the city, even if it didn't become a widespread cultural touchstone.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in a small number of user ratings around 4.8 out of 10. Reviewers tended to praise the attempt to tackle identity and belonging while noting uneven pacing and character development. Major themes include the pull of heritage versus ideological extremes, personal responsibility, and the slow repair of relationships that were frayed by distance and anger.