LEH, SEPT 28: A poignant Ladakhi short film, ‘Dutpa (The Knot)’, was screened at Rang Thang, Leh, as part of the Ladakh Festival 2026, bringing to the fore the often-overlooked emotional struggles of elderly people left behind as younger generations migrate to urban centres.
The screening was followed by an interactive session with the film’s cast and creative team, giving audiences an opportunity to understand the story, filmmaking process and social concerns explored in the production.
Directed by Tsering Angdu Lhonpo and Tashi Dawa, and featuring Deachen Yangdol in the lead role, ‘Dutpa’ examines the changing social landscape of rural communities through the experiences of those separated from their families by migration.
The narrative moves through themes of loneliness, isolation and separation before taking a darker turn, portraying the emotional and human consequences that can emerge when elderly family members are left to face life without adequate companionship or support.
The film has made a mark beyond Ladakh, receiving recognition at a number of national and international film platforms. At the Zee Short Film Contest 2026 in Mumbai, it won Best Film in the Other Language Category and secured a place in the Grand Finale from nearly 2,000 entries from across India.
‘Dutpa’ was subsequently selected for the International Competition Section of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026 and received an Honourable Mention at the Greece International Film Festival 2026.
As part of the programme, Deputy Director Tourism, UT Ladakh, Mohd Taqi, presented mementos to Deachen Yangdol’s daughter, actor Nawang Chopal, and filmmakers Tsering Angdu Lhonpo and Tashi Dawa.
The Rang Thang screening provided a platform for the audience to connect directly with the filmmakers and actors while gaining insights into the film’s creative journey and the social realities reflected in its storyline.
With its focus on migration, family separation and the lives of those left behind, ‘Dutpa (The Knot)’ added a socially relevant dimension to the cultural programme of the Ladakh Festival 2026.
