Shahhbir Khan — Actor, Writer, Voice Over Artist & Producer of I Hate You Riya
Kolkata: Actor, writer, voice-over artist and producer Shahhbir Khan is steadily carving a space for himself in Bengal’s independent film scene with his latest feature film, I Hate You Riya, which was released on August 6, 2026, on the official YouTube channel of NTJS Global.
Presented by NTJS Global and directed by Jenny, the Bengali thriller-suspense film has begun receiving a positive response from viewers following its digital release. The film, which runs for approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, combines suspense, romance, mystery and patriotism.
For Shahhbir Khan, the release marks an important milestone in a journey that began on the theatre stage when he was just 13 years old.
Khan started his career with theatre and gradually moved into modelling, photoshoots, advertisements, music videos and voice-over work. His on-screen journey began in 2018, when he worked with director Jenny in the festival short film 4 A.M. He later appeared in various music videos and advertisement projects before taking on a significant role in the Zee Bangla/ZEE5 serial Anondi in 2025.
Over the years, Khan has expanded his role within the entertainment industry, moving beyond acting into writing and film production.
From Actor to Writer and Producer
Speaking about his transition into writing and production, Khan said that storytelling has always been one of his passions.
“Just like acting, writing is also one of my passions. In 2024, I successfully published my first novel, John Sengupta: The New World Order. The response from readers motivated me a lot and encouraged me to continue exploring storytelling,” he said.
Khan said he has long wanted to create larger-scale stories and believes Indian cinema has the talent and potential to deliver films with a global appeal.
He cites filmmakers including K. Asif, Prashanth Neel, Ali Abbas Zafar, S.S. Rajamouli, Rakesh Roshan and Farhan Akhtar as some of the personalities who have inspired his approach to storytelling.
Despite limited resources, Khan and the NTJS team decided to pursue I Hate You Riya with the aim of creating an engaging cinematic experience for audiences.
The film could not secure a conventional theatrical release due to budget and resource limitations. However, it went through festival screenings and private premiere shows before being released digitally on YouTube.
According to Khan, the digital platform has provided the film with an opportunity to reach viewers beyond geographical boundaries.
“We have an immense opportunity to reach a larger section of audiences from any corner of the globe. This time, I am confident about our product, and the response after the release is speaking on behalf of us,” Khan said.
Looking Towards a Pan-India Audience
Khan also revealed that the team is exploring plans to take I Hate You Riya to a wider Indian audience, including the possibility of dubbing the film in Hindi.
“With the pan-India movie trend becoming so strong, we are also heading in that direction. In Greater Kolkata, we have a large Hindi-speaking audience, and along with them, I want to win every single heart of this beautiful country,” he said.
Mystery, Love and Patriotism at the Centre
The story of I Hate You Riya revolves around the murder of a key character, Pritam Roy, and the mystery surrounding the incidents that take place on the midnight of March 15.
The film also incorporates a love triangle and a strong patriotic element through its lead character, Zahir Abbas Ansari, played by Shahhbir Khan.
The movie is available in 4K UHD with 5.1 surround sound, while the visual treatment comes from director Jenny. The film’s music has been created by Rockstar Deaddroppp.
Although the principal shooting schedule lasted around 15 days, Khan said the production represented nearly 18 months of continuous work, preparation and dedication by the NTJS team and director Jenny.
“Khalifaa” Becomes a New Identity
The title “Khalifaa” has increasingly become associated with Shahhbir Khan, particularly through his upcoming projects.
Explaining the significance of the name, Shahhbir Khan said: “Our Team NTJS and makers/distributors gave me the title Khalifaa. It’s my duty to lead the role.”
For Shahhbir Khan, the title represents not only an identity but also a responsibility to lead and contribute to the projects he is associated with.
Two More Projects in the Pipeline
Shahhbir Khan’s work does not stop with I Hate You Riya. He is currently associated with two upcoming projects — Panagarh: Last Episode and Khalifaa Chapter 2 – Debipur.
Both projects are directed by Jenny and presented by NTJS Global. The projects are expected to be released towards the end of 2026 and into early 2027.
From beginning his journey on the theatre stage at 13 to working in television, modelling, voice-over, writing and film production, Shahhbir Khan’s career reflects a gradual transition from performer to a more complete filmmaker.
With I Hate You Riya now available digitally, Shahhbir Khan and the NTJS team are looking to take their work to a wider audience while continuing to build their independent film journey.
Film Details
Movie: I Hate You Riya
Release: August 6, 2026
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 6 minutes
Presented by: NTJS Global
Directed by: Jenny
Lead Actor: Shahhbir Khan
Watch & Follow
Movie: https://youtu.be/Jl7ckYhg1r4
Shahhbir Khan
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10001188/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DW8a5P4b9/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalifaa_shahhbir_khan/
Book — John Sengupta: The New World Order: https://amzn.in/d/0ccFb8Pa
The post “Our Team NTJS & Makers/Distributors Gave Me the Title Khalifaa, It’s My Duty to Lead the Role”: Shahhbir Khan appeared first on Borok Times.
