Payal Rajput opens up on loss of father, recalls emotional Vipassana journey
Synopsis
Actress Payal Rajput's raw, unfiltered account of losing her father to cancer — and how she found her way back through meditation and self-reflection — transcends typical celebrity soundbites. Her willingness to grieve publicly, even as she promotes her latest work, reveals the often-hidden emotional labour that actors carry offscreen.
Key Takeaways
Payal Rajput became emotional at the First Time 01.01.01 trailer launch in Hyderabad on 29 April while discussing her father's death.
Her father was diagnosed with cancer seven to eight months before the press conference, causing immense pain to her family.
She attended a Vipassana course in Jaipur as part of her healing journey following his illness.
Her father passed away nearly one year ago on 28 July , and she was his biggest fan, praising her performances in films like RX 100 .
Even on his deathbed, her father expressed a wish to watch her latest film Khush Khabari , a Punjabi project.
Actress Payal Rajput, the female lead in director Hemanth's upcoming film First Time 01.01.01, became visibly emotional during a press conference at the film's trailer launch in Hyderabad on 29 April, as she spoke about attending a Vipassana course and the difficult period following her father's cancer diagnosis. The candid moment offered a rare glimpse into the personal struggles the actress navigated while balancing her professional commitments.
The painful family chapter
Responding to a question about her recent Vipassana course attendance in Jaipur, Rajput disclosed that her entire family endured an agonising phase seven to eight months prior when her father was diagnosed with cancer. She described the period as deeply painful for her mother and close relatives, leaving her emotionally adrift and uncertain how to support her family while managing her own grief.
A daughter's inner turmoil
"I was completely shattered in my own mind. I didn't know how to console my mom on the one hand and how to console myself on the other," Rajput shared, her voice wavering. She described her father as her "hero" and recounted the helplessness she felt during his illness, unable to distinguish between right and wrong or envision a path forward.
His final wish unfulfilled
The actress revealed that her father, even on his deathbed, expressed a desire to watch her latest film, the Punjabi project Khush Khabari. She recalled him as her "biggest critic" who had consistently praised her performances, citing his reaction to her earlier film RX 100: "'Oh my gosh, I love your film. Though it was quite bold, but still, no comments on that. You have played your part and you are a brilliant actor.'" Those words, she said, meant everything to her.
Approaching a year without him
Rajput noted that 28 July would mark nearly one year since her father's passing. "Dad has gone. He was waiting for me," she said, her composure breaking as she handed over the microphone. The moment underscored how the loss continues to weigh on her, even as she pursues her acting career.
Finding solace through meditation
Her decision to attend the Vipassana course appears to have been part of her healing process, offering her a structured framework to process grief and find inner clarity during a period of profound loss. The practice, known for its meditative techniques, provided her with tools to navigate the emotional aftermath of her father's illness and death.
Point of View
Not performing. In an industry that often weaponises personal tragedy for sympathy, her raw vulnerability here stands apart.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Payal Rajput become emotional during the press conference?
Payal Rajput became emotional while discussing her attendance at a Vipassana course in Jaipur, which she had undertaken following her father's cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. She was recalling the painful period her family endured and how she struggled to support her mother while managing her own grief.
When was Payal Rajput's father diagnosed with cancer?
Payal Rajput's father was diagnosed with cancer approximately seven to eight months before the press conference held on 29 April. He passed away nearly one year ago on 28 July.
What is the Vipassana course Payal Rajput attended?
Vipassana is a meditation practice focused on self-observation and mindfulness. Payal Rajput attended a Vipassana course in Jaipur as part of her healing process after her father's illness and death, to help her navigate grief and find inner clarity.
Which film was Payal Rajput's father waiting to watch?
Payal Rajput's father was waiting to watch her Punjabi film Khush Khabari. Even on his deathbed, he expressed a desire to see the film, though he passed away before it was released.
What film is Payal Rajput currently promoting?
Payal Rajput is the female lead in director Hemanth's upcoming film First Time 01.01.01, for which she was attending the trailer launch event in Hyderabad on 29 April.
