Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' Explores Northeastern Identity and Love

'Belonging is an ongoing negotiation': Tribeny Rai’s 'Shape of Momo' explores Northeastern identity, emotional labour in love

Tribeny Rai’s debut feature film, *Shape of Momo*, uses the humble momo—a beloved food staple of the Himalayan and Nepali regions—as both a literal and metaphorical centerpiece to explore themes of Northeastern identity, women empowerment, and emotional labour in relationships. The 114-minute Nepali-language film recently hit theatres after completing a successful festival circuit, earning accolades at prestigious events such as Busan, San Sebastian, and Seattle. It also won the Songwon Vision Award for its layered narrative.

In an interview, Rai shared that the idea for the film stemmed from her observations of women while growing up in the hills of Sikkim. She wanted to tell a story deeply rooted in her home, language, and culture. The title, *Shape of Momo*, carries both literal and metaphorical significance. While the momo is a universally loved food in her region, its shape depends on the hands that craft it. This becomes a metaphor for how identities are shaped by family, tradition, gender roles, and societal expectations.

The film has resonated with audiences across diverse cultural backgrounds, sparking reflections on family and unfamiliar cultures. Rai noted the surprising universality of food as a symbol tied to womanhood across cultures, citing examples like the roundness of a roti in Punjabi households. She emphasized how stories about men are often seen as universal, while those about women are categorized separately, despite the disproportionate emotional labour women shoulder in balancing personal aspirations with societal expectations.

For Rai, belonging is not a fixed state but an ongoing negotiation between past and future—a theme she intricately weaves into her storytelling. Her film challenges stereotypes of Northeastern society while bridging cultural gaps through emotional investment and shared experiences.