Richie Mehta interview: How Poacher questions masculine traits in wildlife crime

Richie Mehta's latest web series, Poacher , centres around the crossroads where wildlife conservation meets human greed and its devastating environmental impacts. The series, blessed with a star-studded cast and crew, including Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt as the executive producer, boasts an ensemble led by Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Kani Kusruti.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Richie Mehta shared some great insights into the thought process that defined the look, shape and politics of Poacher.

Poacher is an environmental thriller

Poacher is inspired by a real-life investigation led by the Kerala forest department that unearthed the biggest ivory trade racket in India's history in 2015. However, the subject of this eco-thriller may seem distant to many as the issues that the series deals with don't pose an immediate danger to human society. Nonetheless, turning a blind eye to them will have far-reaching consequences beyond our imagination.

ALSO READ: Poacher review: This Nimisha Sajayan's series makes a compelling case for why you should care about elephants

Richie Mehta revealed that Poacher was made with the sole intention of raising awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation among the general public.

"The whole point of the series is to make people feel something about this crime which is why I begin the series showing the crime right away. When you see the end of episode eight you'll understand actually what is happening in the whole series and what it all means. It is really different from my last project (Delhi Crime). That was intended to make people find a way through it. But, this one is to make you care (about wildlife) as much as the amazing characters (in the series) inspired by real-life people," Richie told OTTplay.

Richie has also examined the role of gender and the traditional masculine traits that play instrumental roles in senseless killings of wild animals, which invariable lead to serious environmental repercussions. "Most historical hunters and poachers are not female. Dealers might be, buyers might be, but the actual people pulling the trigger and the select few who enjoy it, they're certainly not female," explained Richie.

Investigating the impact of greed and gender on our environment

ALSO READ: Poacher actor Nimisha Sajayan: When it comes to forgiving people who have done wrong, I am like Mala

One of the reasons why he created this series around a female protagonist named Mala, played by Nimisha Sajayan, is because, as Richie discovered through conversations with officers in the forest department, there were not many females involved in such cases. While Kani Kusruti plays a character inspired by a real female officer, Richie emphasizes that in terms of leads and ground investigations, they were predominantly men. Richie challenges the perception of the forest department being a boy's club, stating it's not the case anymore.

Poacher equates the urge to kill and inflict pain with problematic masculine traits, which sort of celebrates savagery and rewards brutality. "I think we need to inspire the next generation to want to join this fight. And there are obviously so many incredible women around India and around the world who are at the forefront, frontline staff in wildlife crime. So I just wanted to reflect that as well, beyond what you're talking about, toxic masculinity and what this all means in terms of matriarchy. Understand that elephants are a matriarchal society as well," he added.

Watch Tejas, Expendables 4, Australian Open, Cubicles 3, and more on OTTplay, by subscribing to the Jhakaas monthly pack, which provides access to 22 OTTs at just ₹249 for the first month.