Dayahang Rai was born on 13 April 1980 in Khawa, Bhojpur district in eastern Nepal. Rai is a Nepali actor, director, and playwright and a very active figure in Nepali cinema. Dayahang has shown amazing versatility, acting in all kinds of movies, ranging from romances and comedies to socially-conscious films, tallying more than 50 films in his body of work. From the stage to the big screen, he is one of the finest contemporary actors in Nepal today. He has achieved critical acclaim, a number of awards, and widespread recognition over the years, not only in Nepal but also internationally.
Early Life and Education
Dayahang was born to Tilak Ram Rai and Chandra Devi Rai and grew up as the middle child among his siblings. His family belongs to the Bantawa Rai community, one of the Kirat ethnic groups in Nepal. Since his childhood in Bhojpur, Dayahang was fascinated by the traditional fairy tales his mother used to narrate, which sparked his interest in acting. He attended Pashupati Lower Secondary School and later Annapurna Secondary School, from where he graduated high school in 1998. He then enrolled at Bhojpur Multiple College, majoring in Geography. In 2001, he moved to Kathmandu and studied journalism at Ratna Rajya Campus (now Manawiki Campus).
Despite his academic pursuits, Dayahang was always drawn to the performing arts. He began his theater career early on and eventually decided to build a career in acting.
Theatre Beginnings
Dayahang started his acting career in theater. In 2007, he joined Actors’ Studio, one of Nepal’s prominent platforms for theater artists, after being cast in the play Talakjung vs. Tulke with fellow actor Dhiren Raja. He co-founded Mandala Theatre in Nepal along with Rajan Khatiwada and Dhiren Raja Limbu in 2009. His theater years not only nurtured his acting skills but also paved the way for his entry into films.
Rise to Fame: Early Film and Television Work
Dayahang’s screen debut came with the television series Yuva, followed by Dalan, both directed by Nabin Subba. His big-screen debut came in 2006 with the movie Anagarik, directed by Ram Babu Gurung. The film won major awards at the Nepal International Indigenous Film Festival, establishing Dayahang as an emerging talent in the Nepali movie industry.
Career Breakthrough
The turning point in his career came in 2010 with Dasdhunga, which also starred Saugat Malla and Anup Baral. His performance in the film fetched him the National Award for Best Supporting Actor, his first major success. But it was the film Loot in 2012 that made him a star. Loot, directed by Nischal Basnet, was a box office hit, and Dayahang’s performance as the character “Gofle” was well received. He also assisted in scripting the film and wrote dialogues for it. The success of Loot cemented Dayahang’s position as being among the best Nepali cinema actors.
Decisive Roles and Prominent Films
Following Loot, Dayahang was featured in several blockbusters, which include:
Chhadke (2013): A film that had Dayahang act along with Saugat Malla and Arpan Thapa.
Badhshala (2013): A film on the background of Nepal’s Maoist civil war, temporarily banned following protest from the Nepali army.
Kabaddi Series: Kabaddi blockbuster series Kabaddi (2013), Kabaddi 2 (2015), and Kabaddi 3 (2019) earned him a National Award for Best Actor for Kabaddi—his third National Award.
Jholey (2014): A commercial success where Dayahang teamed up with Priyanka Karki.
Talakjung vs Tulke (2014): A critically acclaimed film set during Nepal’s civil war, showcasing Dayahang’s acting versatility.
White Sun (Seto Surya) (2016): A film about Nepal’s civil war, which became Nepal’s official entry for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Loot 2 (2017): Dayahang again acted the character “Gofle” in the sequel of blockbuster movie Loot.
Other Notable Films
Dayahang Rai’s filmography from 2017 to 2024 remains an example of his versality and commitment to Nepali film. Some of the recent notable movies include:
Mansarra (2024): Co-starring Menuka Pradhan and Praween Khatiwada.
Dayarani (2024): Opposite Diya Pun.
Degree Maila M.A. 3rd Class (2024): A successful film rated well by audiences.
Dimag Kharab (2023): A well-received film.
A Road to a Village (2023): Where Dayahang played “Maila.”
Jaari (2023): Another film where Dayahang received high ratings for his performance alongside Miruna Magar.
Bihe Pass (2022) and Ke Ghar Ke Dera (2022): Both films showcased Dayahang’s acting talent and were successful.
The Secrets of Radha (2022): A film where Dayahang’s acting was greatly appreciated by critics.
A few of his other outstanding performances include playing “Kaji” in the Kabaddi series, which was last seen on the big screen in 2022, and significant roles in Saili (2019), Jatrai Jatra (2019), Kanchhi (2018), Mr. Jholay (2018), Ghampani (2017), and other celebrated actors like Keki Adhikari and Saugat Malla.
Conclusion:
Dayahang Rai ranks among the best and most diverse of Nepal’s finest film luminaries. Right from his starting point on the stage to eventually becoming one of the leading icons of the cinematic screen, he has shown an endless passion and dedication to work. Through his acting, he has helped enrich the Nepali film industry and paved the way for actors in the years to come. Dayahang has a unique ability to bring every character to life, keeping audiences mesmerized. With each new movie, he cements his position as one of the key makers of Nepali cinema’s tomorrow.
