Shweta Tripathi Discusses Her Producing Debut 'Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan' and TIFF Experience

After establishing her career as an actor, Shweta Tripathi has taken on a new role as a producer with her debut feature film, Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan. She stars in the film alongside Tillotama Shome.

Shweta Tripathi travelled to the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) after being selected by WIF (Women In Film) India for the Gold House Pitch. Reflecting on the pitch meeting, she shared, “I woke up at 5:30 in the morning. I felt like I was giving an exam... I was like a student, with my notes and I was doing my revision again and again.” Participants are given nine minutes to cover the story, budget, intent, and motivation during the pitch.

Discussing the project, Shweta shared that the writer and director of the film is Sanjoy Nag, who previously directed the National Award-winning film Memories In March (2011). The film tells the love story of two women. Speaking about her inclination toward queer love stories, she said, “I really believe in love. Love is love, and your gender, class, religion or orientation shouldn’t matter. Love is beautiful and pure, and that should be celebrated. Hum uspe kyun paabandiyaan daal dete hain?”

Reflecting on her transition from acting to producing, Shweta explained that while actors are served a readymade “thali,” producers get to decide what goes on the menu. She has spent the last ten years planning and working on scripts with writers she believes in. Her selection at TIFF, along with endorsement of the script from Tillotama Shome and Juhi Chaturvedi, reinforced that she was moving in the right direction.

WIF India also provided online mentorship with mentors from around the world to help prepare filmmakers for the pitching process. Tripathi's past festival experience includes attending festivals for projects like Masaan (2015) and Haraamkhor (2017), though this marked her first time attending TIFF.