(January 25, 2025) Chicago-based Sripadh Puligilla is living proof that dreams can come true with passion and persistence. At the age of 15, he laid out his aspirations with clarity. “My goal for a career in life is to become a movie director and work in the film industry,” he wrote in a blog post on Medium, a declaration of ambition from a young boy with stars in his eyes.
Fast forward eight years, and Sripadh’s dream is no longer a distant hope, rather a reality. At just 23, the Indian-American actor has made his mark in the industry with roles in films, theatre, and television. His career has reached new heights with the premiere of his film, Debaters. The short film was unveiled at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, earning acclaim during its screening at the Library Center Theatre in Park City, Utah.
Sripadh Puligilla in a still from Debaters | Photo Credit : IMDB
The Sundance spotlight
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s premier showcases for independent films, is running from January 23 to February 2 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Sripadh Puligilla’s Debaters has featured prominently, with screening on the first day of the festival, and online screenings scheduled from January 30 to February 2.
The actor could hardly contain his excitement as he announced the milestone to his followers. “Elated, delighted, excited, and everything in between!” he shared. His joy reflects not just a personal achievement but a shared victory for independent storytellers striving to make their voices heard.
View this post on Instagram
Roots in India, blossoming in America
Sripadh Puligilla comes from a culturally rich Telugu-speaking family from India. “I was born in a town called Guntur. My family moved a lot across different places when I was a kid. I lived in India for the first 10 years of my life,” he shared in his blog titled Coming to a whole new world. “My family moved to America in March 2011. That was a turning point in my life. Living in these very different countries made my mind more open to different perspectives, opinions and cultures.”
While his roots trace back to Indian soil, his creative journey took flight in the United States. Over the past few years, the young artist has been actively working in America’s film, television, and theatre industries, honing his craft and building a strong foundation in storytelling. From performing in experimental plays to landing acting assignments in film and television, Sripadh has fully embraced the raw, collaborative energy of the acting world.
Trained at Black Box Acting Academy, he has appeared in films and television shows such as Durasa, Make ‘Em Laugh, Connivery, and Gheeception. He has also performed in stage productions like National Merit, The Wise Guys, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—experiences that have deepened his love for storytelling.
The Debaters
Debaters has captivated film festival audiences with its nuanced storytelling and compelling performances, earning critical acclaim. The film has turned Sripadh Puligilla as a talent to watch, with his portrayal of Anubhav, a high schooler terrified of speaking in a fiercely competitive debate chamber.
Set in the world of congressional debates, the short film, written and directed by Alex Heller, follows a group of affluent high school students vying to impress two working-class adult judges. Anubhav, attending his first tournament, is thrown into the spotlight when a bitter judge challenges him about minimum wage. Forced to confront his fear of public speaking in front of a ruthless group of debaters, Anubhav rises to the occasion and proves himself.
Featuring a cast that includes J. Smith Cameron, Kenneth Lonergan, and Bernadette Santos Schwegel, Debaters is produced by Full Spectrum Features. The film has made a standout entry at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Significant milestones
For Sripadh, Debaters marks an important milestone in his journey as an actor. With opportunities unfolding in both film and theatre, he is carving out a unique space for himself in the entertainment industry.
In his own words, “This is a very very very special short.” Indeed, Debaters is more than just another project for Sripadh Puligilla. It’s a meaningful chapter in his growing career and a continuation of a childhood dream he has been steadily building upon.
