Tibetan herder turns movie star

Tamdrin, also known as Ding Zhen, an ethnic Tibetan herder from Sichuan province, rose to national fame in 2020 after a short video highlighting his "innocent smile" and rugged charm went viral on social media.

Six years on, the young man has stepped onto a broader stage. After being appointed as a tourism ambassador for his hometown in Litang county and appearing on several variety shows, he made his acting debut in Sumpa Kingdom, which was the focus of a seminar held in Beijing on Monday.

Set against the backdrop of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region, the film tells the story of a village doctor in Nagchu who adopts an abandoned baby girl in 1995. Nearly three decades later, in 2024, the daughter sets out on a journey with her father's support to uncover the mysteries of the Sumpa Kingdom, an ancient Qiang polity believed to have been established in the 4th century.

Tamdrin, who plays the woman's guide, admitted that he initially lacked confidence due to his limited acting experience. "I had never received professional training and wasn't sure how to portray the character," he said.

However, Tamdrin credited the supportive atmosphere on set, where fellow cast members helped him with his lines and the director offered patient guidance.

Filming took place in locations including the vast Changtang grasslands, where the crew often waited for favorable weather and worked late into the night. Tamdrin said the experience helped him grow as an actor and deepened his understanding of performance.

"Each character has their own story, and every emotion must be treated seriously," he said.

Experts who attended the seminar praised the film. Zhong Chengxiang, a researcher at the China Central Institute for Culture and History, commented that it draws on the rich historical and cultural legacy of the ancient Sumpa Kingdom, integrating historical memory with a contemporary perspective.

Yin Hong, vice-chairman of the China Film Association, said the film adopts a road-movie format to explore cultural roots, while blending culture, commerce and tourism. Meanwhile, Song Zhiqin, director of the Movie Art Center at the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, highlighted its emotional depth, vivid portrayal of nomadic civilization and regional heritage.