Dayahang Rai (Nepali: दयाहाङ् राई) is a Nepalese actor, director, and playwright. Dayahang is known for his uniqueness in Nepali cinema. He is one of the most popular and acclaimed actors in Nepal. He has starred in over 40 films and is one of the leading contemporary actors of Nepal. He has received various accolades throughout his acting career. Dayahang is a veteran theatrical actor who made the jump to Nepali cinemas.
Dayahang rose to prominence from the television series Yuva, Dalan, and Hamro Team. He made his film debut with Anagarik (2006). Dasdhunga (2010) was fairly successful, but Loot (2012) turned out to be the turning point in his career, which was a massive hit. Since then he has starred in many commercially successful films Chhadke (2013), Badhshala (2013), Karkash (2013), Jholey (2014), Kabaddi (2013) and its sequels Kabaddi Kabaddi (2015), and Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi(2019), Talakjung vs Tulke (2014), Woda Number 6 (2015), How Funny (2016), Bir Bikram (2016), Loot 2 (2017), Kaanchi (2018) and Jatrai Jatra (2019). The movie White Sun (2016) which he starred in, was the first ever Nepali movie to enter for the Academy Awards.
Dayahang Rai is the recipient of numerous awards including three National Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 2009 for Dasdhunga; Best Actor in 2015 for Sambodhan, and Best Actor in 2016 for Kabaddi Kabaddi.
Dayahang Rai Details:
| Nepali Name | दयाहाङ् राई |
| Alternative name | Daya Hang Rai |
| Date of Birth | 13 April 1980 |
| Birthplace | Khawa, Bhojpur District, Nepal |
| Current Residence | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Nationality | Nepalese |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthday | 13 April |
| Age | 44 |
| Height | 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 74 kilograms (approx) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eyes Color | Brown |
| Education | Bachelor in The Ratna Rajya Campus |
| Parents | Tilak Ram Rai Chandra Devi Rai |
| Spouse | Benuka Rai (married. 2006) |
| Children | 2 |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Organisation(s) | Mandala Theatre, Nepal |
| Known for | Loot Kabaddi franchise Jaari |
Dayahang Rai Early Life and Education:
Dayahang Rai was born on 13 April 1980, in Khawa, Bhojpur district in Eastern Nepal to Tilak Ram Rai and Chandra Devi Rai. He is the middle child of the family. He has two younger sisters and an older brother. His family belongs to the Bantawa Rai people of Kirat ethnicity of Nepal. Dayahang completed his lower secondary-level studies at Pashupati Lower Secondary School in Khawa VDC, Bhojpur District, and high school at Annapurna Secondary School, Dilpa, Bhojpur in 1998. He completed his intermediate-level studies at Bhojpur Multiple College as a Geography Major. He moved to Kathmandu in 2001 and joined The Ratna Rajya Campus (now Manawiki Campus) as a Journalism Major.
Dayahang’s mother used to tell him fairy tales as a child, which fascinated him greatly and fostered his imagination. He was interested in acting from his early childhood. He got into drama at school. Dayahang’s heart was not in his studies, so he decided to follow his dream and pursue a career in theatre and stage.
Dayahang Rai Career:
Theatre
After participating in the play Talakjung vs Tulke as an actor and Dhiren Raja as co-actor, Dayahang joined Actors’ Studio (a platform for theater artists in Nepal) in 2007. He is now affiliated to Mandala Theatre, Nepal, which he co-founded with Rajan Khatiwada and Srijana Limbu (Subba).
Films
Dayahang’s journey into screen acting began with the TV series Yuwa and Dalan directed by Nabin Subba in 2003, paving the way for his transition to the big screen with Anagarik in 2006. This film earned recognition at the Nepal International Indigenous Film Festival. His subsequent roles in films like Mero Euta Saathi Chha (2009) and Dasdhunga (2009) solidified his standing in the industry, earning him his first National Award for Best Supporting Actor.
However, it was in 2012 that Dayahang truly made his mark with the hit Nepali film Loot, where his portrayal of Gofle garnered widespread acclaim, marking a turning point in his career. This success was further solidified by his roles in films like Highway (2012) and Chhadke (2013), which brought together some of Nepali cinema’s finest talents. His ventures into films addressing significant societal issues, such as Badhshala (2013), showcased his versatility and commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Despite his minor role in Saanghuro (2013), Dayahang’s presence was notable, further affirming his status as a prominent figure in Nepali cinema, alongside acclaimed actors like Aryan Sigdel in Loafer (2013). Mukhauta (2013), was a star-studded film that had critically acclaimed actors of Nepali industry like Dayahang, Rajesh Hamal, Saugat Malla, and Sunil Thapa.
Dayahang’s prominence in Nepali cinema soared with the success of Kabaddi (2013) and its sequel Kabaddi Kabaddi (2015), both becoming massive hits both domestically and internationally. His stellar performance in the latter earned him his third National Award for Best Actor. Continuing his streak of success, Dayahang teamed up with Priyanka Karki in the commercially successful Jhole (2014), for which he won his second National Award for Best Actor for the film Sambodhan (2014).
In Talakjung vs Tulke (2014), Dayahang showcased his versatility amidst the backdrop of the Nepali Civil War, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal. His talent shone once again in Fanko (2015), a critically acclaimed film that featured a stellar cast including Saugat Malla, Priyanka Adhikari, and Keki Adhikari.
Dayahang’s career continued to ascend with notable roles in acclaimed films like White Sun (Seto Surya) (2016), Nepal’s submission to the 2018 Oscars, and the commercially successful Purano Dunga (2016). His return as Gofle in the sequel Loot 2 (2017) delighted audiences, while his collaboration with Keki Adhikari in Ghampani (2017) garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim. The action thriller Lappan Chhappan (2017) showcased Dayahang’s versatility once more as a police officer, while Taandro (2017) marked his fourth film revolving around Nepal’s civil war, earning further critical praise.
In 2019, Rai appeared in a supporting role in Saili, for which he won the Kamana Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The same year, he starred in Jatrai Jatra as a don, and the critics praised his performance. Later he appeared in the third installment of the Kabaddi series, Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi, which was commercially successful. It grossed 14.7 million Nepalese rupees on its first day of screening, setting the record for the highest-grossing opening of a film in Nepal. Apart from acting, Rai produced Machha Machha in 2019.
In 2020, Rai starred in the comedy-drama Senti Virus, which was pulled from cinema halls after three weeks of screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. In 2022, he reunited in Kabaddi 4: The Final Match as Kaji and became the Highest Grossing Nepali film in Nepal and the second highest-grossing film in Nepal, earning 21.39 crore. The same year he stars in The Secrets of Radha, Ke Ghar Ke Dera, and Bihe Pass.
In 2023, Dyahang stars in Jaari as Namsang, based on Limbu community and their Jaari tradition, which was historically one of the most significant part of their culture; the Jaari tradition was also relevant in many other communities of Nepal. At the end of its run, it became the third highest-grossing films in Nepal of all time with a gross of 17.18 Crore. He appeared in films like Neerphool, Nango Gau, Fulbari, and Dimag Kharab. Dimag Kharab and Fulbariperformed well at the box office.
In 2024, he stars in Degree Maila: MA 3rd Class as Degree Maila, on the eve of Nepalese New Year 2081 BS, among positive reviews with special praise towards its relevant story. The same year he stars in Dayarani, Hattichhap, and Rangeli. A Road to a Village (Gaun Aayeko Bato) was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (tiff) in Canada on September 7, 2023. It will be theatrically released on May 31, 2024 (जेठ १८, २०८१).
Dayahang Rai Personal Life:
Dayahang Rai is married to Nepali singer Benuka Rai (2006). They have two son named Samduhang Rai & Sinchunghang Rai.
Dayahang Rai Filmography:
Dayahang Rai Movies:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | A Road to a Village | Maila |
| 2024 | Degree Maila M.A 3rd Class | Degree Maila |
| 2024 | Rangeli | Bijay |
| 2024 | Hattichhap | Ammare |
| 2024 | Dayarani | — |
| 2023 | Dimag Kharab | — |
| 2023 | Nango Gau | Pasang |
| 2023 | Neerphool | — |
| 2023 | Jaari | Namsang |
| 2023 | Fulbari | — |
| 2022 | Bihe Pass | Bhagya Raj Rai |
| 2022 | Ke Ghar Ke Dera | — |
| 2022 | The Secrets of Radha | — |
| 2022 | Dui Nambari | — |
| 2022 | Kabaddi 4: The Final Match | Kaji |
| 2022 | Four Nights | Ram |
| 2020 | Dasdhunga Chapter 2 | — |
| 2020 | Senti Virus | Leader |
| 2019 | Machha Machha | Police officer |
| 2019 | Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi | Kaji |
| 2019 | Bhaire | Bhaire |
| 2019 | Jatrai Jatra | Dawa |
| 2019 | Appa | Birkhe / Appa |
| 2019 | Saili | Birman |
| 2018 | Kanchhi | Hira |
| 2018 | Happy Days | Kumar |
| 2018 | Nepte | Antagonist |
| 2018 | Mr. Jholay | Purne |
| 2017 | Taandro | Ganga Bahadur Lama (Koshish) |
| 2017 | Lalteen | Lalle |
| 2017 | Ghampani | Furba Tamang |
| 2017 | Lappan Chhappan | Inspector Tamang |
| 2017 | Loot 2 | Gopal |
| 2016 | Rahadani | Friend |
| 2016 | Purano Dunga | Batash |
| 2016 | Jhumkee | Police officer |
| 2016 | White Sun | Agni Chandra |
| 2016 | Bir Bikram | Bir |
| 2016 | How Funny | Inspector Tej Bahadur Rai |
| 2016 | Fanko | Buddhe |
| 2015 | Kabaddi Kabaddi | Kaji |
| 2015 | Deciphering Me | Ganga Bahadur Lama (komrade Koshish) |
| 2015 | Woda Number 6 | Daya |
| 2015 | Ichchha | Friend |
| 2015 | Sambodhan | Police Officer Ram |
| 2014 | Talakjung vs Tulke | Syagi |
| 2014 | Nagbeli | Phurba |
| 2014 | Mukhauta | Police officer |
| 2014 | Kabaddi | Kaji |
| 2014 | Jholay | Harke |
| 2013 | Karkash | Andy |
| 2013 | Loafer | Bhanta |
| 2013 | Uma | Comrade Sonam |
| 2013 | Saanghuro | Tika |
| 2013 | Badhshala | Captain Rai |
| 2013 | Chhadke | Tattoo |
| 2012 | Highway | Manoj |
| 2012 | Loot | Gopal |
| 2011 | Mero Love Story | Dorje |
| 2010 | Dasdhunga | Suspect |
| 2010 | Pooja | Police Officer |
| 2009 | Mero Euta Saathi Cha | Dorje |
Dayahang Rai TV Series:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Yuva | — |
| 2003 | Dalan | — |
| 2011 | Hamro Team | Toran |
Dayahang Rai Awards & Nominations:
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | National Film Awards (Nepal) | Best supporting actor | Dasdhunga | Won |
| 2015 | National Film Awards (Nepal) | Best actor | Sambodhan | Won |
| 2016 | National Film Awards (Nepal) | Best actor | Kabaddi Kabaddi | Won |
| 2016 | LG Award | Best actor | Kabaddi Kabaddi | Won |
