PremiumWorld Wildlife Day 2023: 8 recent Indian documentaries you need to watch
Elephant Whisperers, Gandhada Gudi, The Real Black Panther, and A Dream of Trees are some desi documentaries that you cannot miss watching
Last Updated: 07.15 PM, Mar 03, 2023
India is known for its rich biodiversity and for being home to wildlife of a kind that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. So, this World Wildlife Day, explore the wild side of your country a little more with these recent Indian documentaries that are worth a watch.
Elephant Whisperers (2022)
Bomman and Bellie, a couple in Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai, have devoted their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, forging a family like no other that tests the barrier between the human and the animal world. The documentary has been nominated for an Oscar.
Gandhada Gudi (2022)
The late Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who was also an avid traveller and adventure buff, explores Karnataka’s rich biodiversity with award-winning wildlife filmmaker Amoghavarsha JS, much of which is still unexplored.
Chilika: Jewel of Odisha (2021)
Asia’s largest brackish-water lake and lagoon, Chilika, was considered a dying wetland until the late 1990s. But thanks to scientific restoration, it is once again a vibrant refuge for wildlife and a reliable source of livelihood for local communities.
The Real Black Panther (2020)
Set in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, the story is about a lone black panther, Saya, who wants to challenge the status quo. A new king, Saya, is on the rise and is the only black panther in the jungle. Lineage doesn't favour him, but he's got grit, and plans to claim Kabini as his kingdom.
A Dream of Trees (2020)
A Dream of Trees tells the story of the ecological restoration of degraded tropical rainforests in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. It follows the work of two scientists, Divya Mudappa and TR Shankar Raman, from 2001 as they work to restore degraded patches of rainforest in the Anamalai Hills in partnership with tea and coffee plantation companies.
Wild Karnataka (2019)
The documentary showcases the rich biodiversity of Karnataka, most of which is still unknown to the general public. Produced by Amoghavarsha JS and Kalyan Varma, the film is narrated by Sir David Attenborough, with music by Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej.
Chronicles of a Wildlifer (2019)
The documentary is the first attempt to showcase wildlife from the perspective of a wildlife researcher. It is the real story of a wildlife researcher and his adventurous journey to finish an assignment in the Ranthambore National Park.
The Race to Save the Amur Falcon (2017)
In 2012, a small team of conservationists discovered vast flocks of Amur falcons at a remote reservoir in India's far northeast, which were being hunted by hunters. Through their efforts, see how the falcons are granted a reprieve and enjoy a safe passage through Nagaland during their migration from Russia and China to South Africa.