Latest news with #PriyanshuPainyuli
News18
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Mirzapur Star Priyanshu Painyuli Makes Directorial Debut With Jaagar, Set In Uttarakhand
Actor Priyanshu Painyuli makes his directorial debut with Jaagar, a spiritually rooted film set in Uttarakhand and supported by the state government. Mirzapur and Extraction actor Priyanshu Painyuli is stepping into a new role—this time, behind the camera. The actor is making his directorial debut with Jaagar, a deeply personal and culturally rooted film set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Uttarakhand, his home state. Known for his nuanced performances in films like Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, Painyuli has long harbored a passion for storytelling, nurtured during his filmmaking studies in Bangalore. With Jaagar, he returns to the mountains that shaped him, not just as an artist, but as a person. The story follows Deepti, a woman on the cusp of marriage and personal transformation. She travels to Uttarakhand to document the ancient Jaagar ritual—a spiritual practice in which local deities are invoked to possess chosen individuals. What begins as a professional endeavor soon becomes an intimate journey into faith, trauma, and awakening. As Deepti delves deeper into the ritual, she encounters Geeta, a local woman who finds strength through her divine possession, allowing her to transcend an abusive marriage. Their intertwined paths become a meditation on identity, resilience, and the healing force of tradition. Calling Jaagar his 'passion project," Priyanshu describes the film as a 'shared dream" realized through love and relentless effort. 'It's even more special because it marks the first production from our own company, a dream Vandana and I built together," he says, referencing his wife and co-collaborator Vandana Joshi, who also stars in the film. 'This isn't just my film; it belongs to everyone who poured their heart into it." The film also features actors Saarika Singh, Rishi Solanki, and local talent from Uttarakhand, along with Priyanshu himself. Hemant Kumar handles the cinematography, capturing the raw, spiritual beauty of the Garhwal region and its lesser-seen landscapes. Lending credibility and cultural weight to the project, the Government of Uttarakhand has extended full support to Jaagar, recognizing its role in bringing the state's spiritual heritage to a wider audience. For Priyanshu, this support is more than logistical—it's deeply emotional. 'Uttarakhand is where I come from—its mountains, stories, and traditions live within me. Jaagar is a film I've carried in my heart for years," he shares. 'I knew that if I ever made the move to directing, it had to be with something this personal and rooted. I'm excited, nervous, but mostly grateful to be able to tell this story." First Published:
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Priyanshu Painyuli turns director with Jaagar
Priyanshu Painyuli, recognized for his acting roles, is embarking on his directorial debut with 'Jaagar,' a film deeply embedded in Uttarakhand's spiritual and cultural essence. The film follows a filmmaker's journey to document a sacred ritual, leading to self-discovery and healing for both her and a local woman. Actor Priyanshu Painyuli , known for Mirzapur , Extraction and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero , is all set to make his directorial debut with Jaagar , a feature film rooted in the spiritual and cultural fabric of Uttarakhand. Set in the Garhwal region , Jaagar follows Deepti, a filmmaker who travels to document the sacred Jaagar Puja. What begins as a creative pursuit evolves into a personal journey of self-discovery. Through the ritual, she encounters Geeta, a local woman whose spiritual experiences help her break free from a traumatic past, ultimately inspiring Deepti to confront her own inner truth. Shot in Uttarakhand, the film is deeply personal for Priyanshu, who hails from the region and has trained in filmmaking in Bangalore. The cast includes Vandana Joshi, Saarika Singh, Rishi Solanki, and Priyanshu himself, along with local talent . Cinematography is by Hemant Kumar. Calling it a 'passion project,' Priyanshu says Jaagar reflects the soul of his homeland and marks a new chapter in his creative journey.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Priyanshu Painyuli on rejecting Kill: Nikhil approached me for Raghav's role, but…
In the unpredictable world of cinema, actors are often forced to make tough decisions—some that turn into career-defining moments, and others that leave behind lingering questions of what if. For actor Priyanshu Painyuli, one such moment came when he chose to walk away from the critically acclaimed action film Kill (2024). He shares how he was approached for the film—not for Lakshya's lead role, but to play the antagonist. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he had to turn the offer down. Actor Priyanshu Painyuli 'I was doing another project, and the dates clashed,' Priyanshu says. 'I was approached for the antagonist's role in Kill. The director [Nikhil Nagesh Bhat] had seen my previous work and really liked it. He had previously offered me a few roles, but things hadn't materialised. When he came to me with this one, we had even started talking and doing readings. But the timing just didn't work out.' The role eventually went to actor Raghav Juyal. At the time, Priyanshu was already committed to another film, leaving him unable to dedicate the extensive time that Kill demanded. 'The film required a lot of physical training and prep. I was shooting for Pippa (2023), and as my schedule clashed, I had to let it go,' says the 36-year-old actor, adding that it wasn't an easy decision to make. The sense of missing out became more palpable when he finally watched Kill on the big screen. 'I was shooting for the series Paan Parda Zarda with Tanya Maniktala, who played the lead in Kill. She told me, 'Go watch it, it's out now.' I wrapped up shoot and went straight to the theatre that night,' he recalls. 'The film is fantastic. Raghav did a fantastic job. He completely owned the character and brought something very raw and unpredictable to it. Watching him, I did feel I missed out—but I also genuinely appreciated his work.' While there's no bitterness, Priyanshu admits to feeling the sting of what could have been. 'When you see someone else doing it well, you don't feel bad in a bitter way. But it's like when you wanted a toy really badly, and someone else is playing with it,' he laughs. It's a sentiment many actors can relate to—missing out not because of rejection, but due to timing and circumstance. 'There have been a few projects I had to say no to, which later went on to do really well,' he reflects. 'It happens to all actors. Sometimes your project doesn't take off, and the one you said no to becomes a hit. But you just have to trust the process and keep growing.'
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Priyanshu Painyuli takes on surfing adventure in Sri Lanka
Actor Priyanshu Painyuli, recognized for his roles in 'Mirzapur' and 'Extraction', recently traded acting for surfing in Sri Lanka. He dedicated a week to learning the sport, fulfilling a long-held ambition. Painyuli trained at a coastal spot known for its gentle waves, expressing that surfing offered him a humbling challenge and a chance to reconnect. Actor Priyanshu Painyuli , known for his roles in Mirzapur , Rashmi Rocket , Bhavesh Joshi Superhero , Extraction , recently swapped film sets for surfboards as he explored the beaches of Sri Lanka. Taking time off from his busy schedule, Painyuli spent a week learning to surf, fulfilling a long-standing personal goal. The actor, an avid lover of water sports and the outdoors, trained in the basics of surfing at one of Sri Lanka's renowned coastal spots, known for its beginner-friendly waves and relaxed beach culture. 'Surfing has been on my bucket list for the longest time,' shared Priyanshu. 'There's something incredibly humbling about being in the ocean. I wanted to challenge myself and reconnect — surfing gave me exactly that.' This adventure marks another example of Painyuli's off-screen persona — one that embraces new experiences and pushes personal boundaries. Known for his grounded performances, the actor also actively engages in activities that allow him to explore different aspects of life and culture beyond the camera. Painyuli's weeklong surf session served not just as a break but as a way to recharge before diving into future professional commitments. With his newfound surfing skills and a renewed sense of energy, he's ready to tackle the next wave in his journey — both in the ocean and in his acting career.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Priyanshu Painyuli: Surfing in Sri Lanka was like living my ZNMD moment
Actor Priyanshu Painyuli recently took a break from the demands of film sets and intense character transformations to reconnect with nature—and in doing so, discovered a new passion: surfing. A trip to Sri Lanka became more than just a vacation. 'I love water. Any water sport has always excited me. As a kid, it started with swimming. Later, it became rafting and deep-sea diving. Water, I believe, has a humbling quality to it,' says Priyanshu. While the actor learned surfing in Sri Lanka, this isn't the first time he's tried his hand at the water sport. 'I first tried surfing in Goa, just for a day. But even in that one day, I felt a spark—something I really wanted to pursue,' recalls Priyanshu. That one-day experience soon turned into a decision: he and his wife would travel to Sri Lanka, one of the world's premier surfing destinations, to truly learn the sport. 'I've only done a very basic course, but the experience was profound. Surfing isn't easy; it really challenges you. But more than that, it changes you. There's something powerful about just being in the water, with the waves. You shut down everything around you. Your senses heighten. You find yourself in a different kind of stillness, even amid chaos,' expresses the 36-year-old actor. Having also experienced deep-sea diving in the past, Priyanshu compared the two. 'When you dive, you're in another world for 45 minutes, breathing through oxygen that isn't your own. You feel small. You realize your problems are even smaller. Surfing gave me a similar sense—like, wow, there's so much more out there, and within me.' He further adds, 'The whole experience reminded me of that Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) scene where Hrithik Roshan dives and finds a kind of stillness. I felt that. It was powerful.' Though adventurous by nature, he admitted he hasn't yet conquered every fear. 'I love heights, and I really want to try skydiving,' he says, wrapping up.
