Poacher (TV series)
| Poacher | |
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 Official release poster | |
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Created by | Richie Mehta |
| Written by |
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| Directed by | Richie Mehta |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Malayalam |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Cinematography | Johan Heurlin Aidt |
| Editors |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release | 28 January 2023 – 23 February 2024 |
Poacher is an Indian Malayalam-language crime drama miniseries created by Richie Mehta. Starring Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Ankith Madhav, Kani Kusruti, Ranjitha Menon and Maala Parvathi, the series explores the issue of ivory poaching in India. The first three episodes premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and on 23 February 2024, the series was released on Amazon Prime Video and received positive reviews from critics.[1]
Set in 2015, the series is based on true events of ivory poaching that took place in Malayattoor, Vazhachal and Munnar forest divisions of Kerala, which had alleged involvement of transnational crime syndicates Triad and Yakuza, and the subsequent government action known as Operation Shikkar.[2] [3] [4]
Cast
[edit]- Roshan Mathew as Alan Joseph
- Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Neel Banerjee
- Kani Kusruti as DFO Dina
- Nimisha Sajayan as Mala Jogi
- Ankith Madhav as Vijay Babu
- Ranjitha Menon as Achala Joseph, Alan's wife
- Maala Parvathi as Roshni, Mala's mother
- Denzil Smith as Nilesh Sharma, Chief Wildlife Warden
- Vinod Sharawat as Kishore Kumar
- Hannah Reji Koshy as Abilasha
- Noorudheen Ali Ahmed as Raaz
- Zhinz Shan as Yadu
- Sooraj Pops as Aruku
- Praveen T.J as Poyya
- Amal Rajdev as Morris Finn
- Arjun Radhakrishnan Ambat as Forest Officer Krishna
Reception
[edit]Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave 4 stars out of 5 and wrote in his review that it is a welcome diversion from the meaningless bravado and empty talk that the terrorists, cops, spies, gangsters, traitors, and patriots that we typically witness in Indian web series. The poacher is full of life and not prone to excesses. It knows just when and how to land it and packs a powerful blow.[5] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 3 stars out of 5 and said the way the act of poaching is portrayed makes it clear that writer-director Richie Mehta has done extensive study on the issue. Its cast selection demonstrates how much care has been taken to keep it grounded and real.[6] Vinamra Mathur of the Firstpost writes in her review that Poacher is one of the few instances where the gripping story makes you both uncomfortable and glued to the screen. Sometimes the intent is sufficient on its own, but Poacher takes the appropriate intent and executes it well. It forces you to keep your face hidden while watching what transpires.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Poacher web series review: This gripping ecological drama thriller is a reminder of the need for peaceful coexistence between man and nature". 28 February 2024.
- ^ Anand, G. (2018-06-09). "Poachers play deadly ivory game in Kerala forests". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Sasikumar, Meenakshy (2024-02-22). "'Poacher': The Real-Life Story of Elephant Poaching That Stunned Kerala in 2015". TheQuint. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ ""It's cold-blooded murder": The real-life story behind Poacher, Amazon's blockbuster wildlife crime drama". www.discoverwildlife.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Chatterjee, Saibal (23 February 2024). "Poacher Review: Powerful Wildlife Crime Thriller Co-Produced By Alia Bhatt". NDTV. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra (23 February 2024). "Poacher review: Alia Bhatt-produced series is raw and authentic, pulls no punches". The Indian Express. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Mathur, Vinamra (23 February 2024). "Alia Bhatt's 'Poacher' web-series review: A unique, uncomfortable take on man-animal conflict". Firstpost. Retrieved 24 February 2024.