Prominent film personalities like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Richard Gere have lent their support to 4 Rivers 6 Ranges, an upcoming historical drama chronicling a critical chapter in Tibetan history. Directed by India-born Tibetan filmmaker Shenpenn Khymsar, the Hindi version of the film will be released in cinemas on September 11.
Set against the backdrop of the 1959 flight of the 14th Dalai Lama to India, 4 Rivers 6 Ranges follows members of the Chushi Gangdruk, a guerrilla resistance outfit that undertook a perilous mission to protect the Tibetan spiritual leader and help him reach safety. Based on Dorjee Wangdi Dewatshang’s book Flight at the Cuckoo’s Behest, the film recounts the journey through the eyes of Kunga Samten, a key member of the resistance group.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has provided the Hindi voiceover to the film. In a trailer available online, Siddiqui, in his alert, unvarnished style, supplies the historical context to the film's narrative. According to Khymsar, the actor did not charge a fee for his involvement, respecting the importance of the endeavour.
“Anurag Kashyap introduced me to Nawazuddin nearly eight years ago on the sets of Sacred Games and since then Nawaz and I have become close friends and creative collaborators,” Khymsar shared. “Given our friendship and our upcoming collaboration, Nawaz graciously agreed to lend his voice to Four Rivers Six Ranges. His involvement adds a very special dimension to the film, and I’m truly grateful to him for being a part of it.”
Khymsar shared that he and Siddiqui are also developing Karma – Running to Stand Still, a script that will feature the actor in a unique role.
Meanwhile, the association with American star Richard Gere was shaped by their shared connection to the Tibetan cause. Gere had attended a special screening of the film held in Dharamshala on occasion of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. Following the screening, Gere had publicly praised the film and Khymsar’s work.
“Richard Gere and I have known each other for many years, primarily through our shared association with the Tibetan issue," the filmmaker said. "Richard was proud and happy to see such a daring and important film being made by Tibetans living in India. He was genuinely excited that a story like this was being told and was very supportive of our efforts to bring it to the screen.”
Khymsar is a self-taught filmmaker and composer born in India as a Tibetan in exile. 12 years in the making, 4 Rivers 6 Ranges had its World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2025. The film stars Tibetan-American actor Tenzin Jigmey, who will next be seen in Tenzing alongside Willem Dafoe and Tom Hiddleston.
Shot in the high-altitude Mustang Region of Nepal, 4 Rivers 6 Ranges was completed in a brisk 19 days at an estimated budget of ₹6 crore. The demanding shoot at elevations exceeding 15,000 feet presented several logistical and physical challenges, with the film’s footage being transported overnight from Nepal to India after filming wrapped.
”Obtaining permission to shoot in the Mustang region presented significant challenges for the production. To navigate the process, director Shenpenn Khymsar initially submitted a fictional screenplay titled The Himalayan Robinhood to secure the necessary permissions, before undertaking the actual shoot for 4 Rivers 6 Ranges,“ a source close to the production told THR India. The film has since been banned in Nepal, the source added.
The extended cast of the film features Tashi Kalden, Tenzin Dhondup, Thupten Chukatsang and Rigzin Phurpatsang.