Kannada actor Samyukta Hornad makes directorial debut with ‘Crossing Paths’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Kannada actress Samyukta Hornad steps into direction for the first time with "Crossing Paths," a documentary exploring the growing human–elephant conflict. The film was made under her newly launched production company, Sampige Films.

"Stories have always been a way for me to understand the world and find my way back to myself. My love for animals and nature has been another constant in my life. Sampige Films is where these two worlds come together — a space to tell stories through cinema and other creative forms, with the living world at their heart," says Samyukta. The film is cinematographed by Pratheek Shetty, known for his work on "Kantara," "Gandhada Gudi" and  "777 Charlie."

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As forests shrink and habitats are increasingly fragmented by human activity, elephants are being pushed into spaces shared with people, creating conflict that affects both communities and wildlife. "Crossing Paths" looks at this conflict and the urgent need to find sustainable ways for humans and animals to coexist.

At a time of climate change, environmental destruction and increasing violence around us, "Crossing Paths" hopes to bring attention to a quieter but deeply urgent conflict — and to the possibility of coexistence.

"Crossing Paths" came from a very simple thought: what happens when the lives of animals and people cross? I’ve always been drawn to stories that bring us closer to the living world, and this film is my small attempt to do that. I hope it makes people pause, feel, and perhaps look at that relationship a little differently," adds Samyukta.

Samyukta achieved widespread critical acclaim and her first Best Actress win for her role as Nandini Chalapathy in the 2023 Telugu supernatural thriller “Virupaksha,” which stands as one of her most popular and commercially successful leading performances. The actress works primarily in Kannada films, making her acting debut with “Lifeu Ishtene” directed by Pawan Kumar. The film, which released in 2011, was a big commercial success. She is also known for her roles in “Barfi” (2011), Un “Samayal Arayil” (2014), and “Oggarane” (2014).