Nepali drama ‘Shakti’ makes prime video debut in US and UK
‘Shakti’, the debut feature film debut from filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker, will make its digital bow on Prime Video in the US and UK on May 22, with a trailer being unveiled ahead of the launch. Buffalo 8 handles the distribution.
The film is set in Kathmandu, where a mother races to protect her nine-year-old daughter from a sudden and disturbing change – a journey that forces both characters to reckon with trauma and a legal system ill-equipped to deliver justice. At the center of the story is Nepal’s time limit on prosecuting sexual violence, which reflects broader pressures for legislative accountability.
Walker’s previous credits include the documentary “Other Nature,” which she directed, and the Academy Award-winning short film “The Last Repair Shop,” for which she served as executive producer.
“Shakti” has won awards at a series of prominent international festivals, including the Heartland International Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India and the Hawaii International Film Festival. Before reaching streaming audiences, the film will appear May 10 at the 44th CAAMFest – presented by the Center for Asian American Media – in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“The conversations we’ve seen at festivals – especially with younger audiences – point to an urgent need for stories that confront the abuses of power in society,” said Walker.
“Every gatekeeper calling this story ‘too taboo’ only reinforced the point of the film. Naming these realities is the first step toward dismantling that culture,” Walker added.
Keiko Nakahara was director of photography. The cast includes Laxmi Bardewa, Menuka Pradhan, Shristi Shrestha, Maoste Gurung and Akash Nepali, with Polina Oli making her film debut. Snehal Fulzele and Vrushali Satarkar funded the project, with additional support from the Gerbode Foundation and the ARRI International Support Program.
“As Dalit entrepreneurs, supporting ‘Shakti’ was deeply personal for us. The film confronts uncomfortable truths with a rare authenticity, and we believe these types of stories have the power to shift perspectives and bring about meaningful change,” said Fulzele and Satarkar.
William Ryan Fritch composed the score, which Buffalo 8 Music has distributed worldwide. The album features an original song, “Naam”, by Nepali rapper Dmriti, alongside sarangi contributions from musician Shyam Nepali.
Watch the trailer here:
