Director Resul Pookutty Clarifies His Non-Involvement in Piharwa

Director Resul Pookutty on Piharwa

Piharwa’s Background

The film Piharwa is a feature-length adaptation of the 2018 short film Plus Minus, directed by Jyoti Das Kapur. The original short film starred talented actors Divya Dutta and Bhuvan Bam.

A Promising Project

First announced in 2021 by producer Avi Soni, Piharwa revolves around the life of Baba Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian Army officer believed to still exist in spirits at the Nathula Pass near the China-Tibet border.

A temple has even been built in his honor, highlighting his significance in cultural history.

Project Evolution

Initially, Jyoti Das Kapur was set to direct the feature adaptation, but she later stepped away from the project. Soon after, Resul Pookutty, an Oscar-winning sound designer, took over as the director.

Initially, Pookutty had approached Alia Bhatt for the lead role. However, she declined due to scheduling conflicts, as she was busy wrapping up filming for Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva.

Current Status

Following Alia’s exit, sources revealed that the film faced delays, and plans to revive it surfaced this year. Resul was reportedly in search of a new female lead.

When asked about the film’s status, Resul responded with, “No comments.” Upon further inquiry about his involvement, he clarified, “No, I am not involved in the film.”

Industry insiders suggest that Resul has been eager to direct a feature film for years, but various projects, including Piharwa, have not materialized successfully.