Upendra Subba

• Name — Upendra Subba • Birth Name — Upendra Bahadur Angdembe Limbu • Born — 26 September 1971 • Birthplace — Angsarang, Panchthar, Nepal • Occupation — Poet, lyricist, writer, director • Movement — Srijanshil Arajakta • Known for — Kabaddi 4: The Final Match, Jaari, Mansarra • Notable Works — * Kabaddi • Kabaddi Kabaddi • Lato Pahad • Spouse — Kalpana Lawati (Limbu) • Children — 3 daughters • Awards — Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar

Subba was born in Angsarang-8, Panchthar, an eastern hilly district. His birth name was Upendra Bahadur Angdembe. In 1997, he moved to Kathmandu city from Damak to become a songwriter. His songwriting had started to see success with music composed by Shantiram Rai. His songs were sung by Deep Shrestha, Robin Sharma, Ananda Karki, Yam Baral and won some competitions. He became convinced that song recording was expensive and that the music industry was heading towards the directions unlike his taste.

Around this time, he met Rajan Mukarung and Hangyug Agyat. They jointly started a literary movement called Srijanshil Arajakta (meaning creative anarchy). He credits their joint movement for his success in writing. He claimed that the success of Lato Pahad was because Rajan Mukarung paved path for him by success of his novels Hechhakuppa and winning Madan Puraskar with Damini Bhir. He visited Hong Kong in 2016 to attend a program by Critics Society. He has visited Malaysia and Singapore in literary programs.

• Jiwan Akhir Ke Nai Ho Ra (2006) (Music Album)

For his film writing, he gives credit to director Ram Babu Gurung. They have collaborated hit movies, including Kabaddi, Kabaddi Kabaddi. His first story was Keba Kokma (Lato Pahad), in Limbu language, directed by Ravi Serma. Lato Pahad was adapted as a theatrical play. He made brief appearances in Kabaddi and Kabaddi Kabaddi, but deems those appearances as forced upon him by his friends. He made his directorial debut through 2023 film Jaari, which he also wrote.

Key • Denotes films that have not yet been released • Year — Title — Role — Credited as — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • Actor — Writer — Director • 2014 — Kabaddi — Jhakri — Debut • 2015 — Kabaddi Kabaddi — Jhakri • 2016 — Taandro • 2016 — Purano Dunga — Screenplay • 2019 — Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi • 2022 — Kabaddi 4: The Final Match — Jhakri • 2023 — Jaari — Directorial debut, special appearance • 2024 — Mansarra — Uncredited cameo • 2025 — Jaari 2

• Dada mathi ko Gham jun ra Gadtirka Raake Bhut haru (2002) • Hongrayo Bhog ra Pangra (2004) • Kholako gita ra purana kavitaharu (2013) • Desh Khojdai Jaada (2017)

• Lato Pahad (2014) (compilation of stories) adapted as movie Keba Kokma