PillowTalk Productions’ Indo-US Thriller ‘Preet’ Wraps Production Schedule With an International Cast; Targets 2027 Release

Jayesh Jaidka has completed production on “Preet,” an Indo-US feature. The international suspense thriller, centered on gender-based violence against women, brings together a cast across India, the US, Mexico, Central Asia and the UK. “Preet” is directed by Jayesh Jaidka, who shares a co-writer credit with the screenwriter of the film, Jessica Jiji and producer credits with Harjot Kaur and Sarvesh Jaidka. The crossover feature combines the cultural roots of Indian cinema with the storytelling grammar of a Hollywood thriller.

The film stars Punjabi and Hindi actress Tania (“Sufna,” “Qismat,” “Godday Godday Chaa”), Mexican-American actor Elyfer Torres (“Betty en NY”, “Nicky Jam: El Ganador,” “La Piloto - Season 2,” “El Secreto de Selena”), Central Asian star Sanjar Madi (“The Golden Horde,” “Amre,” “Guardians”), Indian actor and TVF alumnus Shivankit Singh Parihar (“Aspirants,” “Kota Factory,” “Sixer,” “TVF Bachelors”), Hollywood actor Shahjehan Khan (“Deli Boys,” “Succession,” “Don’t Look Up”), British-Indo actress Emily R. Acland (“Liger,” “Jigra,” “The Bengal Files”), New York City-based actor Manik Anand (“Monsoon Wedding” - off-Broadway play) and Hindi actor Sanjay Bishnoi (“Delhi Crime,” “12th Fail,” “Thar”).

Shot in New York City, Amritsar and New Delhi, the film is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, after which the producers plan to pursue a global festival and distribution strategy.

The film follows its central character through a suspense-driven narrative rooted in gender-based violence and true-crime storytelling. New York City serves as an important part of the film’s canvas, bringing together characters from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds as they intersect with Preet’s life.

The filmmaker describes “Preet” as a Hollywood-Hindi film crossover, something like “Gone Girl” meeting “Kahaani,” rather than a film attempting to choose between the two. Jayesh Jaidka says, “Wherever I go, my Indian heritage will always play a part in the kind of cinema I make. But as a film director, writer and producer who learned and honed his craft in the United States, I also have a Western influence on cinema. ‘Preet’ brings exposure to both worlds together and shares the strength of a Gender Based Violence survivor through an amateur vigilante take.”

The film’s multilingual nature also became a part of the filmmaking process. While the screenplay was initially written with its dialogue in English to establish a common foundation for the international cast, actors were given room to improvise Hindi dialogue while retaining the intended pacing and dramatic objective of each scene. The filmmakers also deliberately distinguished between South Asian characters who had grown up in the United States and characters visiting the country from India, allowing language and dialect to be diverse.

The filmmaker also sees the project as part of a broader shift in the global appetite for women-led stories. He said, “Women-centric cinema has reached a stage where it has broken the bar and can perform on par with male-led cinema. I think it is time we stop giving it a special tag. It is just as important and relevant as any other form of cinema, if not more. Women are interesting, they are fun, and they can make for greater stories.”

The casting of the film took place through a combination of industry searches and personal connections. Punjabi actor Tania eventually emerged as the choice for the titular role after the filmmakers encountered difficulties navigating conventional film casting in the Indian industry and packaging structures. The casting of talents like Sanjar Madi, Elyfer Torres, Shivankit Parihar, Emily R. Akland, Shahjehan Khan, Sanjay Bishnoi and Manik Anand was done through rigorous auditions worldwide.

Jayesh Jaidka has worked on the story and concept for the past six years and has shopped the film in various global markets, including India, Hollywood, the Central Asian film industry, the British Film industry and the Mexican Film Industry. The idea for PillowTalk Productions sparked the interest of Harjot Kaur and Sarvesh Jaidka after the proof of concept’s success and eventual cast rollout.

“Preet” began its journey in October 2020. During development, it gained prominence through a short film/proof of concept that was screened at more than 18 festivals, including the New York Indian Film Festival, Dances with Films LA, Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Soho International Film Festival and Big Apple Film Festival. The proof of concept won Best Short Film at the Indian Film Festival of Houston and received nominations for Best Short Film across its festival run.

With an expected runtime of approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, “Preet” is produced by PillowTalk Productions, which operates both Indian and US wings. wings. Currently in post-production, it is expected to be ready for its festival and worldwide distribution campaign by the end of 2026.