Odia actor and producer Pupindar Singh has taken a new step in his filmmaking career with his directorial debut in Hindi cinema. His Hindi crime thriller, Lohitakshya, was released in theatres across India on Friday, October 2, 2026. Produced under the Gana Vikas Films banner, the film brings together several familiar faces from the Odia film industry and performers associated with Hindi cinema.
Built around a mysterious murder, Lohitakshya explores a crime-driven story filled with suspense, investigation and unexpected developments. The film aims to keep audiences engaged as the mystery unfolds, with a major twist reportedly arriving around the interval.
For Pupindar Singh, the project marks an important milestone: moving beyond his established work as an actor and producer in Ollywood to take charge of a Hindi film as its director, screenwriter and producer.
Pupindar Singh Begins a New Chapter in Hindi Cinema
Pupindar Singh is a recognised name in the Odia entertainment industry, where he has worked as an actor and producer. With Lohitakshya, he steps into a new role by taking responsibility for directing a Hindi-language feature film.
In addition to directing the film, Pupindar has handled its screenplay and production. Taking on several key responsibilities gives him the opportunity to shape the project across different stages of filmmaking, from developing the story for the screen to bringing the production together.
The film also highlights the participation of Odia artists in projects intended for audiences beyond the state. As regional performers and filmmakers explore opportunities in Hindi cinema, they can introduce their skills to new viewers while building on their experience in their home industry.
For Odisha’s entertainment community, Lohitakshya is therefore an interesting development, particularly because an established Odia actor is taking the lead behind the camera on a Hindi thriller.
A Murder Mystery at the Heart of Lohitakshya
The central story of Lohitakshya revolves around a mysterious murder. Its crime-thriller format draws on suspense, unanswered questions and the gradual uncovering of information surrounding the case.
Mystery films depend on the way clues, characters and revelations are presented to audiences. The timing of important discoveries can influence how viewers interpret the story and what they expect to happen next.
Promotional information about Lohitakshya has highlighted a surprising interval twist, suggesting that the story is designed to change direction at a crucial point. The film’s crime-based narrative and suspense-driven approach are central to its appeal.
Rather than relying solely on action, a murder mystery also depends on the relationships between characters and the secrets they may be hiding. How these elements come together is an important part of the experience for audiences who enjoy suspense thrillers.
Kamlesh Sawant, Known for Drishyam, Joins the Cast
One of the familiar faces in Lohitakshya is Kamlesh Sawant, who earned recognition among Hindi film audiences for playing Inspector Gaikwad, commonly referred to as Gaaytonde in promotional discussions, in the Drishyam film franchise.
His presence adds a recognisable performer to the film’s crime-focused setting. Audiences familiar with his earlier work may be interested in seeing him in another suspense-driven story.
The film also introduces Siddhant Issar, son of veteran actor Puneet Issar, to the big screen. Puneet Issar is widely remembered for portraying Duryodhana in the television series Mahabharat.
Siddhant’s debut adds another point of interest to the cast, bringing a new performer into a production that includes both established actors and talent from Odisha.
Odia Actors Share the Screen with Hindi Film Performers
The film features Apsara, Kamlesh Sawant and Sukumar Tudu, alongside several actors associated with Odia cinema. The Odia performers appearing in different roles include Bobby Mishra, Shakti Baral, Bhupinder, Gaurav Mohanty, Deepesh, Jeevan Panda, Mohan Majithia, Sushant Das Mahapatra, Deepali, Subhashree and Suman Maharana.
Their involvement gives the film a strong connection to Odisha’s entertainment industry. For Odia performers, working in a Hindi-language production can offer opportunities to reach wider audiences and explore different kinds of characters.
Such collaborations also demonstrate how regional film industries can contribute to productions made for a broader national market. Actors bring their individual experiences and performance styles to a project, helping create a mix of talent from different backgrounds.
For viewers in Odisha, the opportunity to see familiar Ollywood faces in a Hindi film may be an additional reason to explore the project.
Meet the Creative Team Behind the Film
The story of Lohitakshya has been written by Deepali Devasthita Dash. Pupindar Singh has taken charge of the screenplay, production and direction, bringing together the major creative and production responsibilities.
Nishant Majithia has written the dialogues, while Sharada Krishna Sahu is responsible for cinematography and Manas Sahu has handled editing.
Music is another connection between the film and Odisha’s entertainment community. Popular Odia music composer Abhijit Majumdar has composed one of the film’s songs, adding his contribution to the Hindi production.
Behind every film is a team of writers, cinematographers, editors, musicians and other professionals whose work shapes the final experience. The credits of Lohitakshya reflect contributions from several people with links to Odisha’s creative industry.
Lohitakshya Reaches Audiences in Bhubaneswar
At the time of its release, Lohitakshya was also screened at Cinepolis in Bhubaneswar, giving local audiences an opportunity to watch Pupindar Singh’s Hindi directorial project on the big screen.
For an Odia actor and producer to direct a Hindi feature film represents a new professional milestone. The project brings together his experience in the regional film industry and a story designed for Hindi-speaking audiences.
The participation of Odia actors and technicians also makes the film relevant to viewers interested in the growing presence of Odisha’s creative talent in productions beyond the state.
Its theatrical release marked the beginning of the film’s journey with audiences. Viewer responses and the film’s performance in cinemas will determine how it progresses after its opening.
A New Direction for an Odia Filmmaker
With Lohitakshya, Pupindar Singh has expanded his work from acting and producing to directing a Hindi crime thriller. The film combines a murder-mystery premise with performers from both Odia and Hindi cinema, while bringing together a creative team that includes several professionals connected to Odisha.
For the state’s entertainment industry, projects like this offer an opportunity to showcase regional talent in a different language and reach audiences outside the traditional Ollywood market.
As more Odia artists explore projects across languages, their experiences can help create new professional connections and open doors to further collaborations.
Lohitakshya represents a new chapter in Pupindar Singh’s filmmaking journey and another example of Odia entertainment professionals working across regional and national film industries.
Odisha Katha Disclaimer: This article has been prepared for informational and entertainment purposes based on available film-related information. Film credits and release details are presented as reported. All rights to the film, its photographs and other copyrighted materials belong to their respective owners.
