Director Ananth Mahadevan recently attended a special screening of his drama film Pastt Tense at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai, alongside veteran actor Paresh Rawal and actress Tannishtha Chatterjee. During a media interaction following the screening, the filmmaker was asked an intriguing question about the movie’s central mystery: Can an attentive viewer figure out who the biological father is by carefully following the story and its details? Ananth’s response revealed that the film deliberately leaves this question unanswered, directing the audience’s attention towards the emotional consequences of the situation rather than the identity of one particular man.
Responding to the question, Ananth explained, “As for who the father might be—well, that’s not the point. The core of the situation is captured in what the boy says: ‘It doesn't matter to me which one of you it is.’ The film intentionally leaves the father’s identity unrevealed.” He further explained that the story is primarily concerned with the impact of the circumstances on the mother and son. The three men involved may be afraid that their participation will be exposed, or they may simply have no desire to discover the truth themselves. By keeping the question of paternity unresolved, the filmmaker encourages viewers to look beyond the mystery and reflect on the human cost of the events.
Pastt Tense follows Raunak, a young man whose life changes dramatically when he discovers the painful truth about his birth and abandonment. His search for answers leads him to his biological mother, Maithili, who is a survivor of sexual violence and was forced to give him up. As Raunak learns about the trauma she endured, his personal quest develops into a deeply emotional journey towards justice. Rather than presenting the story as a conventional mystery with a clear-cut revelation, the film explores the lasting consequences of violence, the complexity of human relationships and the difficult questions that emerge when painful truths finally come to light.
The decision to leave the father’s identity unknown appears central to the film’s storytelling approach. In many dramas, uncovering a hidden identity becomes the ultimate goal, with the final revelation providing closure for the audience. Pastt Tense, however, shifts the emphasis towards the emotional realities faced by the people involved. Raunak’s response challenges the importance society often places on biological identity, while the mother’s experience highlights the long-term consequences of trauma and the need for accountability. This approach gives viewers room to interpret the characters’ motivations and consider whether every question needs a definitive answer for a story to reach an emotional conclusion.
Directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan and written by Raghav Dutt, Pastt Tense features Aditya Rawal as Raunak, Tannishtha Chatterjee as Maithili, and Paresh Rawal alongside Sharib Hashmi, Adil Hussain and Smita Tambe. The film also marks the first time Paresh Rawal and his real-life son Aditya Rawal have shared the screen. Interestingly, the two do not play father and son in the film, adding another layer of complexity to a story already built around questions of family, identity and belonging. The film’s narrative was inspired by a real-life newspaper report, giving its difficult subject matter a connection to real-world experiences.
The film made its international debut at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2026 and served as the opening film at the Mumbai chapter of the Jagran Film Festival in October 2026. Ananth Mahadevan’s comments offer an important insight into the creative choices behind Pastt Tense and the themes he wants audiences to take away from it. By refusing to reveal the father’s identity, the filmmaker keeps the focus firmly on Raunak and his mother, whose lives have been shaped by painful circumstances beyond their control. Ultimately, Pastt Tense invites viewers to look beyond unanswered questions and consider the deeper meaning of truth, compassion and justice.