Last Updated:November 22, 2025, 21:11 IST

Shweta Tripathi showcases Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan at IFFI 2025, advocating for queer narratives and cinema that sparks questions and emotional truth.

At IFFI 2025, Shweta Tripathi Sharma opened up about backing the queer love story Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, discussing representation, why she chose Tillotama Shome, and why she believes cinema should create discomfort rather than comfort.

At the 56th International Film Festival of India, actor-producer Shweta Tripathi Sharma arrived not just as one of the country’s most versatile performers but as a storyteller eager to expand cinema’s emotional vocabulary. Speaking exclusively with News18 Showsha at the WAVES Cinema Bazaar, she reflected on her festival journey, her moral compass, the politics of representation, her evolution into producing, and the emotional toll of inhabiting characters like Golu from Mirzapur.

This is Shweta Tripathi unfiltered, passionate, deeply thoughtful — and intent on making art that provokes, complicates, and transforms.

“My career started at festivals. They made me who I am.”

IFFI 2025 marks Shweta’s first time at the festival, but it already feels like home.

“This is the first time I’ve come here and I didn’t know what to expect. Thankfully my films are Masaan, Haraamkhor, because my career started at festivals.

I have a special place for them… this is what I want to do — go to festivals around the world because of the energy, the passion.”

For her, cinema is not just business; it is responsibility.

“Yes, movies need to make money, but what are you doing to people’s minds? The conversations you have here… I love that. I’ll be here every year.”

How her upbringing — between Delhi and Lucknow — shaped her choices

Shweta grew up in a household anchored in public service, ethics, and intellectual curiosity.

“There was Time magazine, National Geographic… a very nurturing environment. That has defined me and my choices. I can’t take credit.”

That moral foundation influences every script she chooses — and rejects.

“The stories I want to tell surprise you, challenge you, and engage you. That is very important.”

What makes a “strong female character”? Shweta’s take is radically simple

The phrase has become cliché, but Shweta cuts through the noise.

“Being fragile also needs a lot of strength — to accept what you’re feeling. The first step is acceptance, and we run away from that.”

Her definition is deliberately grounded, “A strong character is somebody who behaves well under difficult circumstances.”

She references her character with alopecia in Gone Kesh, “Just going on stage without a wig… you challenge beauty standards. I am all of five feet, and I don’t think just a particular shade of your face is beautiful.”

From interpreting roles to producing them, “If you’re not getting the food, make it yourself.”

Shweta’s shift into producing wasn’t born of frustration, but clarity.

“If you feel like you’re not getting the food, either make it yourself or get a chef. The stories I wanted weren’t coming to me. So I decided — let’s do something about it.”

She is not a writer or director, so producing became her solution.

“Producing is something I’m really enjoying. There are days when I go crazy, but the small wins… finding the right kind of people.”

Her collaborators now include a director from Tokyo, Anshul Chauhan, and playwright-turned-writer Juhi Chattopadhyay.

“Make a table of people where you want to sit and create. Producing enables you to make that table.”

Backing a queer love story: “There is a lot of world beyond right and wrong.”

One of her first major productions, Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, came to her as an actor.

“Sanjoy Dada asked me to play Sada Bahar. I read it and asked him — do you have a producer? He said no. I said — can I please help you with this?”

She will star in it alongside Tillotama Shome, whom she personally championed.

“I asked Dada — what about Tillotama? She was our first and only choice. When she said yes… these are the joys of producing.”

Her intention with queer storytelling is simple, “People from the community say — this is our story. Straight people say — oh, this is what happens. That’s what I want. Let’s celebrate all colours of the rainbow.”

She cites a line from her play Cock, “‘Why are you telling me what I sleep with is more important than who I sleep with?’”

On collaborating with Tillotama Shome: “She will make me look better”

The shoot begins next year, but admiration is already deep.

“I have been wanting to act with her for years. She will do more than justice to the character — and she will make me look better.”

Advice she follows: “Just keep doing it.”

Mentors like Neeraj Ghaywan and the Mirzapur creators have influenced her, but she singles out Richa Chadha’s words.

“Just keep doing it. Whatever you can do today, do it.

I am literally an example of that — I started conversations, I came to people, and now the vibration is vibrating.”

On Golu and the emotional toll: “More than anger, it was grief.”

Playing Golu Gupta has been transformative — and heavy.

“More than anger, it was grief. I realised I am sitting on an emotional rollercoaster — but neither the rollercoaster nor the emotions are mine.”

Mirzapur: The Movie — what can we expect?

She doesn’t reveal plot details but promises scale.

“It’s on the big screen, so there will be a blast on the big screen.”

On boundaries as a producer: “Choose your battles. Ego never helps.”

Shweta is clear about where she draws the line.

“First of all, choose your battles. You can’t win all. Keep your ego in check — ego never helps.

If you let it in, you will suffer the creative process.”

Marriage with Chaitanya Sharma: “Understand each other’s dreams.”

Her marriage to actor-rapper Chaitanya Sharma (SlowCheeta) is artistically rich.

“More than compromise, it’s understanding each other’s dreams and giving space. You are two people, not one soul.”

Their partnership is rooted in admiration, “I really like his sense of humour… the metaphors he uses. Help each other and grow together.”

What she wants her legacy to evoke: “Discomfort.”

When asked how she wants audiences to feel 20 years from now, Shweta doesn’t choose the safe answer.

“Discomfort. I want them to feel uncomfortable so that we raise our hands and ask questions. Understanding our fears and society’s fears is important because that’s when change will come. I am here for the change — and the fun.”

Yatamanyu Narain

Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More

Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More