'13th' director Nishil Sheth weighs in on the idea of success and failure; says, 'Your worth isn’t defined by a rank' - Exclusive interview

A lot of that came from the script written by Sameer Mishra. The exam world isn’t just about stress, it’s also about the small, very human bonds that you form in those high pressure environments. The execution of the scenes had to capture both those sides, the tenderness of someone believing in you, and the suffocating weight of expectations. It was important to use silence, pauses, and the little gestures between characters to balance the intensity. As a director it was less about “adding emotion” on top of the pressure, and more about showing that the two coexist sometimes.

Many shows about competitive exams (Kota Factory, Super 30, etc.) exist. What does ‘13th’ bring that is different — in terms of tone, character, or narrative focus?

Most shows about exams have focused on the student’s struggle to clear a test. 13th shifts that lens. It’s also about what happens years later, when a student returns to his mentor, and the bond they once shared is tested in a very different world. The story moves from classrooms to the larger questions around education, startups, and values: how do you hold on to integrity when ambition and money come into play? Tonally it’s more restrained, it’s not only about exam pressure but about gratitude, loyalty, and the evolution of a student-teacher relationship over time.

Is there one scene or moment from ‘13th’ that gave you goosebumps while shooting or editing — why is it special to you?

There’s a scene when MT Sir just sits in silence after a confrontation with Ritesh, with the faint sounds of the coaching center carrying on outside. Nothing dramatic happens, but in that quiet, you feel the entire weight of the confrontation. When I first witnessed it on shoot, it gave me goosebumps because it felt truthful in a way words couldn’t capture.

Do you see ‘13th’ more as a story for students, or for parents, or for a broader audience? How do you hope different viewers will interpret it?

It’s for anyone who has ever lived under expectation, whether their own or someone else’s. Students will see their anxieties, parents may recognise how their hopes land on their children, and others might connect to it as a story of mentorship, friendship, or never giving up. My hope is that each group finds a reflection of themselves in it.

In your view, what is the role of streaming narratives like ‘13th’ in shaping public discourse about exam pressure and education in India?

Streaming allows these conversations to escape the echo chambers of boardrooms and institutions. When a family watches a show like 13th together, it can spark healthy discussions. It’s not that one show can change the system, but it can plant a question that lingers and sometimes that’s more powerful.

What was your journey from Bhasmasur to 13th like — how has your directorial vision evolved in the interim?

Bhasmasur was a very personal and intimate film. It taught me how much restraint can say, and how to trust silence. 13th demanded a different muscle, dealing with ensemble characters, institutional backdrops, and a more dialogue driven narrative. I think the biggest evolution has been in patience, learning not to force emotion, but to let it emerge naturally from the situation using the mis-en-scene elements.

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Bhasmasur won you awards overseas. How did international acclaim early in your career affect your confidence, choices, or risks for 13th?

The recognition gave me courage, yes, but more importantly, it reminded me that stories rooted in our soil can resonate universally. That gave me courage to lean into specificity with 13th rather than chasing what I thought would “work.” It freed me, knowing that honesty travels.

If you could whisper one message to every student watching 13th, what would you hope they take away?

That your worth is not defined by a rank, a seat, or a result. Success and failure are temporary, but to be knocked down and come back stronger is what matters most.