Bhupindarra makes Bollywood directorial debut with ‘Lohitaksha’

Bhubaneswar: Having spent years entertaining audiences through his performances in Odia cinema, actor Bhupindarra has embarked on a new journey, this time stepping behind the camera as a director in the Hindi film industry. His directorial debut, Lohitaksha, a crime psychological thriller released on October 23, marks a significant milestone in his career, bringing together artistes from Bollywood and the Odia film industry against the cultural backdrop of Odisha.

Known for his roles in popular Odia films such as Jaggu Autowala, Samaya Bada Balaban, Raghupati Raghaba Rajaram, Daha Balunga, Tu Khusi Re Thaa and To Bina Bhala Lagena, Bhupindarra is now exploring a different creative space. Interestingly, he has taken on multiple responsibilities in Lohitaksha, serving as its writer, director, producer and actor.

Starring Siddhanth Issar, Apsara Rani and Kamlesh Sawant, who is widely recognised for his role in Drishyam, the film represents Bhupindarra’s attempt to take an Odisha-rooted story to a wider national audience without losing its regional flavour.

For Bhupindarra, the transition from acting to direction is not merely a professional move but also an emotional journey shaped by his long association with cinema and his belief in the potential of Odisha’s film fraternity.

“I have always believed that the Odia film industry is full of talent. We have extremely talented actors, technicians and filmmakers, many of whom have also worked in Bollywood. We are hardworking, but sometimes we lack confidence and underestimate our own capabilities. Despite limited budgets, we manage to make films that other industries might find difficult to produce under similar circumstances,” he says.

Having begun his career in Mumbai before finding his footing in Odia cinema, Bhupindarra wanted his first Hindi directorial venture to reflect the cultural identity of his home state.

“I began my career in Mumbai but found my home in Odia cinema. With Lohitaksha, my aim was to make a Hindi film that retains the flavour, culture and sensibilities of Odisha,” he shares.

Interestingly, the project did not begin with the intention of making a Hindi thriller. Bhupindarra had earlier produced films but faced setbacks that forced him to take a step back. Subsequently, some producers encouraged him to explore the possibility of a sequel to Jaggu Autowala. However, the idea gradually took a different direction and evolved into a thriller.

“We felt we could make an engaging Hindi film on a modest budget while introducing Odisha’s flavour to a wider audience. I was fortunate to work with talented actors such as Siddhanth Issar, Apsara Rani and Kamlesh Sawant,” he says.

The journey of completing the film, however, was not without personal challenges. Bhupindarra lost his mother during the post-production phase, making the final stages of the project particularly difficult.
“Losing my mother during post-production was emotionally challenging. Completing the film became deeply personal for me,” he recalls.

Bringing together artistes from Bollywood and the Odia film industry was another important aspect of his directorial vision. For Bhupindarra, the collaboration was an opportunity to demonstrate that Odisha has performers and technicians capable of making their mark at the national level.

“My intention was to make a compelling Hindi thriller rooted in Odisha’s identity. Collaborating with actors from different backgrounds brings unique perspectives and helps create a film that can connect with audiences beyond one region,” he explains.
While Lohitaksha marks a personal milestone, Bhupindarra hopes the film will also encourage greater confidence within the Odia film industry. He believes the state has considerable filmmaking talent, but a lack of adequate professional opportunities often compels skilled technicians to move to Mumbai and other film centres.

“Mumbai has many talented technicians from Odisha working in sound, cinematography and editing. Unfortunately, many leave the state to find professional opportunities. We need to create more opportunities within Odisha and build greater confidence in our abilities,” he says.

He also hopes that filmmakers from the state will become more experimental and venture beyond conventional storytelling and production practices..

“I hope Lohitaksha inspires people from Odisha to think beyond conventional boundaries and take risks. We should have the confidence to tell our stories on bigger platforms,” he adds.

With the film now released, Bhupindarra’s immediate priority is to take it to more cities and reach a wider audience. He is also keen to continue exploring opportunities as a filmmaker, including directing an Odia film in the future.

For an actor who has spent a considerable part of his career in front of the camera, Lohitaksha is more than just a directorial debut. It is an attempt to bridge regional storytelling with national cinema and demonstrate that stories rooted in Odisha can find resonance far beyond the state’s boundaries.