Actress and first-time feature producer Shweta Tripathi says stepping behind the camera for her debut production, Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, has fundamentally shifted the way she thinks about storytelling — a realisation that crystallised as the film travelled from the Berlin International Film Festival to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026.

From Berlin to Toronto: A Producer's Journey

The film marks a significant new chapter for Tripathi, best known for her acting work in projects such as Mirzapur and Gone Kesh. Having her debut feature make the rounds at two of the world's most prestigious film festivals in a single year is an uncommon achievement for any first-time producer.

'There's something very special about taking a film you believe in to an international platform, especially when it's your first feature as a producer,' Tripathi said. 'The journey from Berlin to Toronto has been incredibly meaningful for me because it has allowed me to represent Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan in a completely different capacity.'

She added that the festival circuit opened up a new lens on the film itself: 'You begin to see the film beyond the process of making it and think about the people it could reach, the conversations it could start and the possibilities that lie ahead.'

The Shift in Perspective: Actor vs. Producer

Tripathi was candid about how the dual role has reshaped her creative outlook. 'Producing has made me look at storytelling differently. As an actor, you are deeply involved in bringing a character and a story to life,' she said.

'As a producer, you also have to think about the journey the film takes once it's made, the people who might come on board, and how you can create opportunities for it to reach its audience,' she explained. 'International film festivals and markets bring together people who can help make those possibilities real. Being able to represent my debut production on these platforms has been a significant step for me.'

About the Film

Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sanjoy Nag and features Tillotama Shome alongside Tripathi herself. The film is a queer love story described as approaching love and human relationships with honesty and nuance — a theme that aligns closely with Tripathi's long-standing interest in bold, unconventional narratives.

Notably, the choice of subject matter is consistent with her artistic sensibility: her very first theatrical venture tackled similar ground.

Roots in Theatre: AllMyTea and the Beginning of a Producer's Career

Tripathi's producing journey did not begin with cinema. In 2010, she launched her theatre production company, AllMyTea, with Cock — a queer drama by Olivier Award-winning British playwright Mike Bartlett. That early foray into production, more than a decade before her feature film debut, laid the groundwork for the instincts she now brings to international markets.

With Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan continuing its festival run, the next phase will likely determine what distribution or co-production opportunities the project secures from its global exposure.