Nisha Adhikari

Nisha Adhikari is a Nepalese actress, model, film producer, mountaineer, and politician from Kathmandu. She is best known as the first Nepali actress to summit Mount Everest, a feat that brought her international attention and placed her among the country's most distinctive public figures. Her career spans two decades, from television comedy to leading film roles, and more recently to a run for parliament.

Adhikari's work in cinema includes the commercially successful Mission Paisa and the record-breaking First Love. She has also produced films, including Jai Ho in 2023. Beyond entertainment, she has climbed both Everest and Kilimanjaro, and in 2025 she founded the Gatishil Lokatantrik Party, contesting the Kathmandu-5 seat in the 2026 election. Though she lost with 91 votes, her pivot to politics reflects a public persona driven by ambition and resilience.

Fans know her as a multifaceted talent who moves between art, adventure, and activism. Her social media presence, under the handle @nishaadhikarimalla, showcases her film projects, mountain expeditions, and political work. As of 2026, she remains active in both the film industry and her political party. [edit]

Nisha Adhikari was born on October 4, 1986, in Kathmandu, Nepal. She grew up in the capital, though details of her childhood and family background remain largely private. Her entry into the entertainment world came through television, not film. She made her acting debut in the comedy program Gharbeti Ba, which aired on Kantipur Television around 2005.

That early role gave her valuable on-camera experience and helped her build recognition with Nepali audiences. She spent several years working in television before making the leap to the big screen. Her first film role came in 2009 with Mission Paisa, where she starred alongside Nikhil Upreti. The movie was a commercial success in Nepal, and it marked the beginning of her film career.

Before her breakthrough, Adhikari also began developing an interest in high-altitude adventure, though her mountaineering achievements would come later. Her early years in television and her debut film set the stage for a career that would eventually include acting, producing, and even politics. [edit]

Adhikari's film career took off after her debut. In 2010, she appeared in Nainraresham and First Love. The latter broke box office records in Nepal, generating repeat screenings and solidifying her status as a bankable star. She continued acting through the 2010s, with roles in films like Soongava and the sequel Mission Paisa 2: Reloaded in 2015.

In 2023, she starred in and produced Jai Ho, expanding her role behind the camera. Alongside her film work, Adhikari pursued mountaineering. She became the first Nepali actress to summit Mount Everest, a milestone that earned her national recognition. She also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and her Instagram bio lists both peaks as defining achievements.

In late 2025, Adhikari entered politics, founding the Gatishil Lokatantrik Party (Dynamic Democratic Party) and receiving its registration certificate on November 13, 2025. She filed for the Kathmandu-5 seat in the House of Representatives election. Her campaign faced online abuse, which she publicly condemned. On election day in March 2026, she received only 91 votes and lost. Her response was measured: she called the loss a new beginning and returned to a film set the next day. [edit]

Adhikari's public image is that of a trailblazer who refuses to be boxed in. She is known for her versatility, moving between comedy and drama on screen, and between film sets and mountain peaks in real life. Her Everest summit made her a symbol of determination, and her political run added a layer of civic engagement.

On social media, she presents herself as a working artist and adventurer, sharing behind-the-scenes moments from films, photos from expeditions, and updates on her political activities. Her Instagram bio reads: Actor, Film maker, Mountains: Mt. Everest | Kilimanjaro, Chief, Women Department, Candidate, Kathmandu-5 House of Representatives Election.

Media coverage often highlights her resilience, especially after her election loss, when she returned to acting immediately. Fans admire her willingness to take on new challenges, whether that means climbing the world's highest peak or contesting a parliamentary seat. She has also been vocal about the online abuse women face in politics, earning respect for speaking out. [edit]

Nisha Adhikari is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine as a figure of significant national prominence, yet she holds no placement within the published Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list as of August 2026. While her career spans two decades of film production and acting alongside high-stakes mountaineering and political campaigning, this specific combination has not translated into a ranked position on the global stage at this time. The absence of a numeric ranking reflects the reality that her fame remains concentrated within Nepal rather than achieving the widespread international consumption signals required for a global index entry. Her professional trajectory, marked by the commercial success of films like First Love and Mission Paisa, alongside her historic ascent of Mount Everest, establishes a formidable regional profile without crossing into the tier of globally ranked celebrities. Regarding her audience, there is no documented formal name for her fanbase. While she maintains a substantial social media presence with over 210,000 likes on Facebook and nearly 195,000 followers on Instagram, these metrics represent general public interest rather than an organized community structure. No records exist of fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or specific rituals initiated by a dedicated group. Her interaction with the public is managed through standard celebrity channels and political engagement, lacking the structured fandom dynamics seen in other sectors of entertainment. Consequently, the narrative surrounding her popularity relies on verified news coverage of her political bid and mountaineering feats rather than folklore or organized fan culture.[edit]

Nisha Adhikari's YouTube channel describes her as an actor, director, producer, mountaineer, and social activist, as well as an avid traveler. She has climbed both Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro, a combination rare among Nepali entertainers. Her political party, the Gatishil Lokatantrik Party, was registered in November 2025, just months before the election. She served as head of the women's department within the party. During her campaign, Adhikari exposed hateful messages on social media, drawing attention to the online abuse faced by women candidates. After her election loss, she returned to film shooting within 24 hours, a move that impressed many observers. Her professional surname Malla appears in her social media handles, though she has not publicly discussed its significance. She is also a featured speaker for Everest Alliance Nepal, an organization that promotes mountaineering achievements. A defining moment in her recent biography occurred following the House of Representatives election when she publicly stated, "This is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter," signaling her return to cinema after facing character assassination during her campaign for Kathmandu Constituency No. 5.[edit]

Public information about Nisha Adhikari's family is scarce. She was born in Kathmandu, but details about her parents and siblings have not been widely reported. Her professional surname Malla appears in her social media names, suggesting a possible marriage, but no credible source confirms a spouse or children.

Adhikari has not shared details about her household or pets in public interviews. She tends to keep her personal life separate from her public persona, focusing instead on her career and activism. As of 2026, she appears to be unmarried, based on the lack of any documented relationship. [edit]

Nikhil Upreti co-starred with Adhikari in her debut film Mission Paisa. She has worked with various directors and production teams across her filmography, though specific collaborators are not widely documented. In 2026, she became associated with the Gatishil Lokatantrik Party, founded by CK Raut, as a federal committee member and head of the women's department. [edit]

Publicly documented dating history for Nisha Adhikari is extremely limited. No credible sources confirm any romantic relationships, engagements, or marriages. Her professional surname Malla appears in her social media handles, which could indicate a marriage, but no details about a spouse have been reported.

As of 2026, Adhikari's relationship status is unknown. She has not publicly discussed her personal life, and her recent focus has been on her political campaign and film work. Given the lack of information, it is not possible to provide a chronological dating history. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Nisha Adhikari's net worth at $3 Million as of 2026. Her primary income sources have been her acting career, film production, and brand endorsements, though the Nepali film industry is relatively small compared to Bollywood or Hollywood. She has also earned from public speaking engagements related to her mountaineering achievements. Her film career began in 2009 with Mission Paisa, and she has appeared in several successful films, including First Love, which broke box office records. Producing Jai Ho in 2023 likely added to her earnings. Her political activities have not been a significant income source, but her public profile has helped maintain her marketability. Adhikari's net worth has grown steadily over the past decade, reflecting her consistent work in films and her ability to diversify into production and other ventures. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, her estimated wealth aligns with her career longevity and the commercial success of her major films.[edit]