From Brajrajnagar to Bollywood: Ashish Panda’s Inspiring Journey to Becoming Director of ‘Tum Mere Ho’

Jharsuguda : From the industrial town of Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district to the Hindi film industry in Mumbai, filmmaker Ashish Panda has come a long way in his career. His journey, marked by years of struggle, perseverance and dedication, has reached a significant milestone with the release of his first Bollywood feature film as director, Tum Mere Ho, starring Gurmeet Choudhary and Isha Malviya, on October 23.

Hailing from Brajrajnagar, Panda developed an interest in cinema and storytelling at an early age. Inspired by renowned filmmakers Raj Kapoor and Subhash Ghai, he aspired to become a film director. Although he initially pursued mechanical engineering, his passion for filmmaking prompted him to leave his studies before the final examinations and move to Mumbai to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

With no established connections in Bollywood, Panda began his career by working in television productions. He got an opportunity to work with television director Anil V. Kumar and was associated with popular serials such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kusum. He later worked with filmmaker Kundan Shah, whom he considers his mentor. These early experiences helped him develop his understanding of filmmaking and direction.

Panda subsequently became associated with Bollywood projects, including Yaariyan and Sanam Re, where he gained experience in assistant-directing and co-directing roles.

A major breakthrough in his career came through his association with leading music label T-Series. He directed several popular Hindi music videos, including Humnava Mere, Kabhi Yaadon Mein Aao, Meri Aashiqui and Toh Aagaye Hum. During this period, he also worked with noted singers, including Jubin Nautiyal and Guru Randhawa, establishing himself as a music video director known for his romantic and emotional storytelling.

His filmmaking journey also included directing the short film Bulbul, which further strengthened his experience in narrative filmmaking.

After years of working behind the camera, Panda made his feature-film directorial debut with Tum Mere Ho, a Hindi romantic drama featuring Gurmeet Choudhary as Akash and Isha Malviya as Tamanna. The film also features Shaan Grover and Anushka Luhar in supporting roles.

Produced by Debina Bonnerjee and Aarti S. under the banners of DebGuru Films and Reva Creative House, the film revolves around love, relationships and emotional conflicts.

In a recent media interview, Panda spoke about the challenges he faced during the film’s production, particularly while shooting skydiving sequences at restricted locations with limited time available for filming.

Reflecting on his career, Panda has also acknowledged the difficulties of establishing himself in the competitive Hindi film industry. From facing rejections and losing opportunities to spending years learning the craft, his journey has involved several professional challenges.

Despite these setbacks, he continued to pursue filmmaking, gradually progressing from television productions to music videos and eventually feature-film direction.

Panda’s achievement has brought attention to his hometown of Brajrajnagar and Jharsuguda district. His journey from a small industrial town in western Odisha to directing a Bollywood film serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers and youngsters seeking careers in the entertainment industry.

The release of Tum Mere Ho marks a new chapter in his professional career and stands as an example of how determination and sustained effort can help aspiring talents from smaller towns establish themselves in the film industry.