A New Creative Turn: Tisca Chopra’s Directorial Debut with ‘Saali Mohabbat’

Renowned actress Tisca Chopra has made her directorial debut with the crime thriller web series ‘Saali Mohabbat’, which is now streaming on ZEE5. The series features Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap, Anshuman Pushkar, and Sauraseni Maitra in pivotal roles. Following the release, Tisca Chopra recently spoke in an interview, sharing her experiences of directing and discussing various aspects connected to the series. Here are the key excerpts from the conversation…

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‘Saali Mohabbat’ is your first directorial project. Was your inclination towards direction always there, or did this journey evolve naturally with experience?

There wasn’t a specific moment when I decided that I wanted to become a director. Stories were constantly taking shape within me, and that naturally led me behind the camera. During this journey, I directed three short films—Chutney, Choori, and Roobaru—with Chutney becoming one of the most-watched short films in the world. The most beautiful aspect of direction is seeing an idea travel from paper to screen—from shooting to editing—and then begin a dialogue with the audience, like a ‘ping-pong’ of thoughts. With Saali Mohabbat too, my wish is that every viewer finds their own meaning in it. This entire process makes me more humble every time.

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How did the project come together with so many talented actors and creative minds? Where did the casting process begin, and how did it shape into a complete team?

Many times, a film begins with one idea and eventually reaches a completely different place. But films have a magnetic pull of their own—the people who are meant to be part of them are drawn in naturally. Divyendu was our first choice for the character of Ratan. We had discussions on several points, and eventually, we arrived at a very solid place creatively. For Radhika’s role, we met a few other actors as well, but we felt this film truly needed her calibre. Manish, as the creative producer, was extremely passionate about the film. His vision and enthusiasm added great strength to the project.

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It is often said that the work of a director and producer is ‘thankless’ despite being extremely demanding. Do you agree with this perception?

A director’s job is not thankless at all. Yes, a producer’s role can sometimes feel thankless, because most ground-level problems eventually reach them. But in films like ours, where the contribution of every department is crucial, I do not consider this work thankless at all. It is challenging, but at the same time, deeply rewarding.

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What is completely ‘non-negotiable’ for you in any project? What is that one thing which would make you walk away from a script or project without hesitation?

For me, the most important thing in any project is the director’s clarity of vision. What the story wants to say, what its purpose is, and how it is meant to be executed—these things must be absolutely clear from the beginning. There should also be no ambiguity regarding financing. When people themselves don’t know what they want to make, it shows directly on set—endless “one more take” situations begin, which become exhausting for the entire team. Life is not long enough to waste time on films made without preparation and with incomplete planning.

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After shooting wraps up, is it easy to detach yourself from the characters and the story? Now that the series is out, what emotions do you feel about this entire journey?

I am not able to detach myself from the set at all. I become attached to the people, the locations, even the morning drives. Once the film is over, I end up sitting alone in the bathroom because separation is extremely difficult. But the bond that forms after making a film is karmic. Today, Divyendu, Radhika, and Manish are all an integral part of my life.

FAQs

What is Saali Mohabbat?

Saali Mohabbat is a Hindi mystery thriller and the feature-film directorial debut of actor-director Tisca Chopra, now streaming on ZEE5.

When did Saali Mohabbat release on OTT?

Saali Mohabbat premiered on December 12, 2025, exclusively on ZEE5, making it one of the year’s most anticipated OTT thrillers.

Who stars in Saali Mohabbat?

The film features Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap, Anshumaan Pushkar, Sauraseni Maitra, and Sharat Saxena in key roles.

What is the plot of Saali Mohabbat?

Saali Mohabbat follows a small-town housewife pulled into a double-murder investigation, unraveling secrets, betrayal and psychological twists.

How did Tisca Chopra prepare for her directorial debut?

Tisca co-wrote the script with her husband, Sanjay Chopra, and described the creative process as intense, even testing their marriage during production.

Where else was Saali Mohabbat screened before OTT release?

The film premiered at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and was screened at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival before its digital launch.

What genre is Saali Mohabbat?

Critics and cast members describe Saali Mohabbat as a “how-dunnit” psychological thriller with a slow-burn narrative rather than a typical whodunit mystery.

Who co-wrote Saali Mohabbat with Tisca Chopra?

Tisca collaborated on the screenplay with her husband, Sanjay Chopra, who also received attention as the co-writer.

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