Shweta Tripathi is expanding her storytelling horizon with Nava, her first horror project under the banner Bandarful Films, in collaboration with Kowatanda Films India. This is her second production after the queer drama Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, which starred Tilottama Shome, and reinforces her focus on bold, original and culturally rooted cinema.
Where folklore meets fear
Nava is set in the haunting wetlands of the Sundarbans. The story follows Tara, who returns to her ancestral home and is drawn into a chilling, generation-old mystery involving river gods, buried family secrets and the uneasy coexistence of myth and memory. Written by Akash Mohimen, the film promises an evocative blend of folklore, tension and emotional depth.
Why Shweta chose horror
On producing her first horror film, Shweta says, “Nava is a very special step for me as a producer. After Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, which was rooted in love and identity, I felt an instinctive pull to explore a completely different emotional world. Horror, especially when woven with culture and folklore, has the power to move people in unexpected ways. The Sundarbans is not just a backdrop in this story, it’s alive, it breathes, it protects and it threatens.”
She adds that Akash’s script captivated her with its beauty, fear and soul, and that the collaboration with Kowatanda Films India felt natural because both teams share a passion for meaningful, cinematic stories.
What to expect
- Setting: The Sundarbans — both beautiful and menacing
- Theme: Folklore, family secrets and the collision of myth with memory
- Creator: Written by Akash Mohimen
- Production: Bandarful Films in association with Kowatanda Films India
A growing producer with a clear mission
With Nava, Shweta Tripathi is deepening her role as a producer, committed to genre-driven, character-led Indian stories that challenge conventions and celebrate authenticity. Her earlier work, including the queer drama she showcased at IFFI 2025, underlines her interest in cinema that sparks thought and emotional truth.
Fans can expect a film that leans heavily on atmosphere, cultural detail and emotional stakes. More casting and release details are likely to follow as the project moves forward.
