Latest news with #PriyanshuPainyuli
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Priyanshu Painyuli to play hacker in an upcoming thriller
Actor Priyanshu Painyuli has signed on for his next film, Pirates , an indie dark thriller written and directed by debutant Nishant Sharma . The film, also starring Chandan Roy Sanyal and Gagan Arora, is set to begin shooting next week in Delhi. In Pirates , Priyanshu plays a Delhi cab driver who becomes a hacker , navigating the dangerous world of cybercrime. Set against the backdrop of a digitally volatile age, the story delves into themes of surveillance, morality, and identity, following a character whose skills make him both powerful and vulnerable. 'I'm thrilled to be a part of Pirates ,' said Priyanshu. 'The film is dark, edgy, and layered with suspense. I play someone operating outside the system, dealing with things most people don't even know exist. The narrative feels fresh and intense, and the indie energy is something I'm truly drawn to.' Comparing the project's spirit to films like Stolen and Girls Will Be Girls , he added, 'There's a different kind of creative spark in working with someone telling their story for the first time. Nishant brings a fresh voice and vision to filmmaking.' With a gritty premise, compelling script, and ensemble cast, Pirates aims to be a gripping addition to the growing wave of Indian indie thrillers .
News18
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Mirzapur Star Priyanshu Painyuli To Play Cab Driver Turned Hacker In Pirates
Last Updated: Priyanshu Painyuli will begin filming Pirates on August 10 in Delhi, directed by Nishant Sharma. The film also stars Chandan Roy Sanyal and Gagan Arora. Actor Priyanshu Painyuli is set to begin filming Pirates on August 10 in Delhi. The film, directed by Nishant Sharma, also features Chandan Roy Sanyal and Gagan Arora. Painyuli will portray a Delhi cab driver who evolves into a hacker, with the story delving into complex themes such as surveillance, morality, and identity theft. Priyanshu Painyuli to star in Pirates The first half of 2025 saw Painyuli focus on his directorial debut, Jaagar. With that project now completed, he returns to acting with this new thriller. Painyuli has gained recognition for his roles in Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018) and the popular web series Mirzapur. Painyuli expressed his attraction to Pirates' dark and gripping narrative. 'The story feels intense, and I'm drawn to the film's indie energy. It reminds me of the impact made by Stolen and Girls Will Be Girls [2024], stories that leave a mark despite not being made on a grand commercial scale," he said. Choosing to work with a first-time feature director was a conscious decision for Painyuli. He said, 'I have felt honoured to collaborate with filmmakers like Vishal Bhardwaj, Vikramaditya Motwane, Navdeep Singh, and Raja Menon, who are masters of their craft. But I also find it enriching to work with new talent like Nishant, who brings a fresh vision. There is a different creative spark in working with someone who is telling their story for the first time." Director Nishant Sharma's background Nishant Sharma, before embarking on this feature, directed the Amazon MiniTV series Couple Goals. He also worked as the chief assistant director on the TVF show Mr & Mrs. Priyanshu Painyuli's career graph Priyanshu Painyuli began his career as a model and assistant director before making his acting debut in Manuja Tyagi's film Love At First Sight. Following this, he received an offer from Farhan Akhtar to appear in the remake Rock On 2. In 2018, Painyuli played the lead role in Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. He gained wider recognition for his role as Robin (Radhesyam) in the second and third seasons of the Amazon Prime Video action crime thriller Mirzapur. That same year, he appeared in the films High Jack and Once Again. In 2019, he portrayed Kapil in the Netflix film Upstarts. The following year, Painyuli took on the role of a Bangladeshi crime lord in Sam Hargrave's directorial debut Extraction. He also starred opposite Taapsee Pannu in the sports drama Rashmi Rocket. He married his longtime girlfriend Vandana Joshi, after being together for seven years, on November 26, 2020. Priyanshu Painyuli also took on a new challenge as a director. He made his directorial debut with Jaagar, a film deeply connected to his roots in Uttarakhand. Painyuli has always been passionate about storytelling—a passion that grew during his film studies in Bangalore. With Jaagar, he returns to the mountains. The story centers on Deepti, a woman approaching marriage and a major personal change. She visits Uttarakhand to document the ancient Jaagar ritual, a spiritual practice where local deities possess selected individuals. What starts as a professional project soon turns into a deeply personal exploration of faith, trauma, and self-discovery. During her journey, Deepti meets Geeta, a local woman who draws strength from her divine possession to overcome an abusive marriage. Their stories intertwine that forms the crux of the plot. Calling Jaagar his 'passion project," Priyanshu described the film as a 'shared dream" realised 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 said, 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." First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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.'
