Paakhi A Tyrewala (born Punarnava Mehta) is an Indian writer and director, who debuted in mainstream Bollywood in 2002 with the film Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai?.

She came to Mumbai in the year 2000 where she started modelling for the biggest brands such as Ponds, Sunsilk, Dabur Vattika, Herohonda, Rayban, Organics etc.

In December 2011, Paakhi started working as an assistant director with Nagesh Kukunoor for his film, The Boxer, and then his documentary, Lakshmi, in 2012.

Paakhi moved to her first full-length feature film right after, choosing the much ignored and less covered North East region of India to base her story and shoot in.

Pahuna is the journey of three kids from Nepal who get separated from their parents and find a home for themselves in the beautiful Indian state of Sikkim.

Her intentions found a partner in Priyanka Chopra, who decided to produce this unique story under her banner Purple Pebble Pictures.

Recently, she has been in the news for the successful premier of Pahuna at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2017, where it was received with a standing ovation.