Tenzing Norgay movie begins shooting in Bandipur, boosting tourism

KATHMANDU: The picturesque tourist town of Bandipur has become a hub of excitement as filming for an international movie based on the life of legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa officially began on Sunday.

The film, reportedly produced by American tech giant Apple, is based on the historic 1953 Everest ascent, where Tenzing Norgay, alongside Sir Edmund Hillary, became one of the first climbers to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak.

In preparation for the shoot, Bandipur Bazaar has been transformed to resemble old Darjeeling, giving the town a vintage makeover.

The production team spent about a week setting the scene before filming commenced.

Around 300 local residents of various age groups have been hired as background actors, each receiving daily wages ranging from Rs 1,000 to 1,500. The shooting in Bandipur is expected to last for three days.

Local tourism entrepreneurs are optimistic about the positive impact of the film on the region’s visibility. “This international film shoot will significantly promote Bandipur,” said Kisan Pradhan, a hotel and tourism operator. “The crew has been staying here for a week, and it’s already benefiting local tourism.”

Baishbahadur Gurung, coordinator of Bandipur Tourism Year 2025, also expressed enthusiasm about the project. “It’s a matter of pride that Bandipur was chosen as a filming location for a foreign movie,” he said. “This will help immensely in promoting our tourism sector.”

With the spotlight now on Bandipur, locals are hopeful that the film will attract international attention and boost the town’s profile as a cultural and scenic destination.