Bollywood is reeling from the shocking death of Priyanshu Kshatriya, the young actor who rose to fame for his role as Babu Chhetri in the 2022 film Jhund, directed by Nagraj Manjule and starring Amitabh Bachchan. The 21-year-old was allegedly murdered by his friend Dhruv Lal Bahadur Sahu in Nagpur following a drunken altercation in the early hours of October 8, 2025.
According to police reports, the two friends had gone to an abandoned house in the Jaripatka area for a late-night drinking session. During the gathering, an argument broke out, and Kshatriya reportedly threatened Sahu before falling asleep. Fearing retaliation, Sahu allegedly tied Kshatriya with wires and attacked him with a sharp weapon. Locals discovered Kshatriya in critical condition around 3 AM and alerted authorities. He was rushed to Mayo Hospital, where doctors declared him dead during treatment.
Both Kshatriya and Sahu had prior criminal records, and police believe a personal rivalry and monetary disputes may have contributed to the tragic incident. A case of murder has been registered, and Sahu was arrested within hours by the Crime Detection Branch. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
Born and raised near the railway tracks in Nagpur, Priyanshu Kshatriya came from a humble background. His portrayal of a slum footballer in Jhund earned him acclaim and symbolized the transformative power of cinema. Bollywood celebrities and fans have taken to social media to mourn the loss of the promising actor, whose life was cut short just as his career was beginning to blossom
