Dharamshala — The Tibetan historical film 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges (Chushi Gangdruk) has been screening in over 100 cinemas across 26 states in India, since last week and this week. The film began screening on Friday in Dharamshala. The historical drama chronicles the fierce Tibetan resistance against the illegal Chinese occupation of Tibet during the 1950s, highlighting the profound bravery of the fighters who successfully escorted His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to safety in India in 1959.
The historical film 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges (Chushi Gangdruk) began its Indian theatrical release on September 18, 2026, screening across more than 100 cinemas in 26 states. After a highly anticipated one-week wait, the film finally arrived in Dharamshala for a special three-day screening from September 25 to 27. Tickets for the entire weekend sold out instantly, leaving eager local audiences hoping the theatrical run will be extended.
The film is about Tibetan resistance against so-called Chinese Liberal army during the invasion of Tibet in 1959. The "4 Rivers, 6 Ranges" based on the Book “Flight at the cuckoo’s behest: The Life and Times of a Tibetan Freedom Fighter” by Kunga Samten Dewatshang. The Film was shot in the Himalayan Mountains of Mustang, Nepal. Produced by Dorjee Wangdi Dewatshang and written, produced, music and directed by Shenpenn Khymsar. Main actors Tenzin Dhondup and Thupten Chukhatsang and other actors including Tenzin Rigzin, Tashi Kalden, Ten B. Jigmey, Palden Dikhang, Madon Nyima, Pema Tsamchoe, Tenzin Choden, Namjaytsang Abukarma, Sherap Gyaltsen and Tadming Arts etc.
The film begins by showing Tibetans fighting the Chinese Communist Party army when it invaded a village in Lhasa, and how the 4 Rivers,6 Ranges organisation was founded by Adruk Gonpo Tashi and his Tibetan followers to protect Tibet from the Chinese invaders. They then began to fight the Chinese invaders, leaving their wives and children in their homes. When Lhasa became an intensive and dangerous city, the Tibetans of Chushi Gangdruk escorted His Holiness the Dalai Lama safely to the Indian border, then they returned to fight the Chinese invaders, and many of them died in the fighting. After watching the film, people, especially young people, had tears in their eyes, moved to see their freedom fighers and Tibetans risking their lives to fight against the Chinese invaders to protect Tibet from invasion.
Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen said, "After watching 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges (Chushi Gangdruk), I realized that we didn’t just flee to India—our freedom fighters bravely fought back against the Chinese invaders in the 1950s. I got incredibly emotional during the scene where a Tibetan fighter from the Chushi Gangdruk secretly goes back to meet his wife and children. It felt so raw and real."
Tenzin Tashi said, "I was born in India after my parents fled the brutal Chinese crackdown in 1959. Growing up, I heard countless stories about the Chinese army killing Tibetans and how His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaped to India. But seeing it on the big screen today made it all feel so real. It showed me exactly how our freedom fighters risked everything to protect Tibet from invasion."
Tsering Tenzin said, "Like many Tibetans, I had been waiting for the Tibetan-made film (Chushi Gangdruk) for so long. It didn’t screen in Dharamshala immediately when it was released on September 18, 2026. As soon as I heard it was finally coming here, I tried to book a ticket, but all three days were already completely sold out. Fortunately, a friend managed to get me one, and I am incredibly grateful for that."
"What I liked most about the film was the music," he added. "It felt so authentic and truly captured the spirit of Tibetan music, drawing everyone completely into the moment. The saddest part was watching His Holiness the Dalai Lama endure so many hardships, including falling ill during his grueling escape to India. His Holiness is everything to us—seeing him suffer made me incredibly sad."
For the Tibetan community in exile, the screenings have proven deeply emotional, moving viewers to tears as they witness the sacrifices of their freedom fighters who fought valiantly against the Chinese military to defend their beloved homeland.
The film 4 Rivers 6 Ranges became popular among Tibetans around the world since its premiered at the 54th International Film Festival in Rotterdam on February 1, 2025. It also gained international recognition by winning the Best Soundtrack Award at the 2025 Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa, USA, which held from April 21 to 27, 2025.
The Chinese government published propaganda articles and videos about Tibet after the Tibetan film 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges premiered at the 54th International Film Festival in Rotterdam on February 1, 2025. Chinese social media accounts also attacked the Festival and the social media account of the director of the Tibetan film.
Mayor of Columbia Heights, proclaim May 3, 2025, as "4 Rivers 6 Ranges Day: A Tribute to Tibetan Defiance and Dignity" in recognition of the Tibetan people's ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and cultural preservation.
The Nepalese government has banned the screening of the film 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges in the the country and, according to the director Shenpenn Khymsar, the authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him. According to some sources, Shenpenn, knowing that the Nepalese government would never have authorised a film about the Tibetan armed resistance, submitted a different script in order to obtain the necessary filming permits.
This censorship stems from heavy diplomatic pressure by the Chinese government, which forced Nepal to ban the film. Beijing also tried everything in its power to block the movie's release in India. However, those efforts failed, and audiences across India are now freely watching the film in theatres. Ultimately, China's aggressive attempts to suppress the film have backfired. The more the Chinese government tries to stop 4 Rivers, 6 Ranges, the more famous it becomes, fueling an even greater eagerness among audiences to watch it.
