Deepak Rauniyar
Directing
Biography
Deepak Rauniyar is a visionary filmmaker who has played a pivotal role in placing Nepali cinema on the global map through his unflinching, socially conscious storytelling. Shifting away from traditional commercial formulas, he gained international prominence with his 2012 film Highway that marked a turning point, becoming the first Nepali film to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival. His follow-up masterpiece, White Sun (Seto Surya) (2016), further solidified his reputation, earning critical acclaim at Venice, Toronto, and the New Directors/New Films festival. This film, which explores the lingering scars of the Nepali Civil War through a familial lens, was also Nepal’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards. Rauniyar’s work is characterized by a realistic, almost documentary-style aesthetic that tackles complex themes of identity, politics, and the clash between tradition and modernity. In his personal life, he is married to actress and frequent collaborator Asha Magrati, who has played key roles in his productions and shares his commitment to authentic representation. His influence extends beyond the director's chair; he is a vocal advocate for systemic change within the Nepali film board and a mentor to a new generation of independent filmmakers. By consistently securing international co-productions and distribution deals, such as his recent work on the high-profile police thriller Pooja, Sir (2025), he continues to bridge the gap between local narratives and the global stage.
Known For
When two boys are kidnapped in a border town in Nepal, Detective Inspector Pooja is sent from Kathmandu to solve the case. But when she arrives, the brewing political unrest and violent protests throw her off course, and she is forced to seek help from Mamata, a local Madhesi policewoman. By putting aside systemic discrimination and pushing through everyday misogyny, the women solve the case - but at what personal cost?
Pooja, Sir
Young Pooja lives with her mother in a village in Nepal. Though saddened by the death of her grandfather, she is secretly thrilled at the prospect of meeting the man she hopes may be her father — Chandra, a former Maoist guerrilla who is returning home after a decade-long civil conflict.
White Sun
Five different relationship stories become connected during an ill-fated bus journey from eastern Nepal to the capital, Kathmandu.
Highway
Ram and Maya move thousands of miles from their home in Nepal in hopes of realizing their dream in New York City. As Ram works to finish his feature film, Maya receives a job offer that puts a strain on their relationship and calls into question what they are willing to sacrifice to maintain the lifestyle of international filmmakers.
Four Nights
Like the majority of modern-day farm men in the US, Kurt is out of work, unable to provide for his family. Smothered by a sense of void and hopelessness, he takes to the road, in a quest for his lost self-esteem. An existential journey of disenchantment that cuts right through the soul of the American inland, juxtaposing the shiny promises of the past with the harsh reality of a bleached-out Dream.