In a shock to the film fraternity and his fans, Priyanshu Kshatriya (also known as Priyanshu Thakur or Babu Chhetri), the young actor who appeared in the 2022 film Jhund, was murdered in Nagpur in the early hours of Wednesday. 

What Happened

Priyanshu, aged 21, and his friend Dhruv Lal Bahadur Sahu (20) reportedly went to an abandoned house in Jaripatka, Nagpur late Tuesday night for drinking. 

During the session, an argument broke out. Police say Priyanshu threatened Sahu and later fell asleep.

In a violent turn, Sahu allegedly tied Priyanshu with wire, attacked him with a sharp weapon, and inflicted a throat injury. His face was also reportedly battered with a stone. 

Locals spotted him around 3 a.m., bound and bleeding, and alerted the police. He was taken to Mayo Hospital, but declared dead.

Accused & Arrest

The prime suspect, Dhruv Sahu, has been arrested.

Investigations by Jaripatka police are ongoing to ascertain motive and sequence of events.

Reports indicate both individuals had previous criminal cases registered against them, including theft and assault.

Who Was Priyanshu / Babu Chhetri?

Priyanshu gained recognition from Jhund (2022), directed by Nagraj Manjule, starring Amitabh Bachchan. His role as Babu Chhetri was widely noted for its earnestness.

Born and raised in Nagpur, he came from a modest background. His earlier life reportedly included struggles with financial constraints and brushes with minor criminal offenses.

He had reportedly been arrested in 2022 for theft involving jewellery and cash worth around ₹5 lakh. 

Reactions & Impact

The Bollywood and film community has expressed shock and grief over the violent death of a young talent.

His demise highlights issues around youth, social environment, poor company, and the dangers of substance abuse.

Authorities will likely use forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and phone records to build the case and determine culpability precisely.