Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 4/5
In this rapidly expanding world, humans often forget that they are just as much a part of nature as other animals. While mankind may overlook Mother Nature, she does not forgive our harmful actions. Excessive deforestation, reliance on petroleum-fuelled vehicles, towering buildings, and powerful mobile towers are leading to soil erosion, floods, droughts, and more.
The recent Prime Video series ‘Poacher’ highlights how our actions impact not just humans but also other creatures. There was a time when, outside cities, there was a balance between humans and nature’s other creatures. However, heavy deforestation and urbanization have disrupted this balance. While we may not notice, we are very much on their radar. It’s as if human beings are under the surveillance of other creatures besides ourselves. There is a lot to discuss in the Malayalam web series by Canadian filmmaker Richie Mehta.
‘Poacher’ depicts India’s largest ivory poaching incident, set in Kerala in 2015. After two decades of calm, there is suddenly activity in Kerala, known as the land of God or God’s own country. The ivory smuggling ring brought down more than 28 elephants in various parts of the state.
Neel Banerjee, portrayed by Dibyendu Bhattacharya, is the director of the Kerala Wildlife Department. He is joined by Mala Jogi, played by Nimisha Sajayan, who is the Deputy Forest Official, and Alan Joseph, played by Roshan Mathew, a data analyst on the case’s core team.
As the story takes flight, the audience learns about the personal conflicts of the main characters and other details of the case. The writers certainly do a good job of fleshing out the characters.
There is a significant moment where the fate of Bhavana, the daughter of a former poacher, parallels Mala’s, showcasing excellent screenwriting. The story is presented in a non-linear format, which makes it easy to pick things up, even if you choose to miss the pilot.
The cinematography in Poacher is outstanding, particularly in establishing the jungle’s atmosphere, both from within and outside. Johan Heurlin Aidt, the cinematographer, beautifully captures the transition from foggy mornings to dark nights. The use of blue and green light in the investigation room is visually stunning.
It is not just for show, but the colour really contributes to amping up the tension. Additionally, the sound design team deserves extra credit for creating an authentic sound experience. The ambient sounds near the jungle in are soothing, including the sounds of birds chirping and bees humming.
In one scene, DFO Dina, played by Kani Kusruti, narrates details of the ivory smuggling to her superior, and the sound builds with each frame, creating intensity. The background music uses the Mridanga, a native instrument for the locals of the jungle, adding a unique element to the sound design. They paid attention to detail in designing the sound for sure, using natural sounds mixed with native instruments.
The thorough research is evident in the portrayal of the poaching world. The individual characters and their interpersonal relationships are well-developed throughout. In addition to depicting ivory poaching and character development, the series also displays the inter-departmental politics of states. The negligence and overconfidence of forest officials regarding poaching are also very well portrayed.
The screenplay starts off a bit slow, but it gradually inundates you into the world of poaching. However, it’s not always the case that slow and steady wins the race. The seventh and eighth episodes will keep you on the edge of your seat. The cliffhanger in the seventh in particular is brilliant, and the ending scene may leave you with a heavy heart!
Surely, you’ll need some patience to get through the initial episodes, which are heavy on conversation and follow a dialogue-based approach. In addition to the leads, the supporting actors do an excellent job on screen. Every character looked faithful. Nimisha Sajayan’s portrayal of Mala will leave a lasting impact, especially in the bathroom scene where she calls her mother and breaks down.
Following her remarkable performances in films like ‘The Great Indian Kitchen,’ ‘Nayattu,’ and ‘Maalik,’ Mala Jogi’s character is one you will remember for a long time. Dibyendu Bhattacharya outshines his co-actors in some scenes with his powerful acting, and intimidating attitude that we’ve come to love.
Despite its slow start, there are no major flaws in the series. If you are a fan of Jim Corbett stories or a nature lover, the narrative is sure to captivate you. In layman’s, Poacher is much more than a simple investigative series about poaching. For a neutral audience, the series is both emotive and engaging. Overall, the latest Prime Video venture is well worth a watch.
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Verdict - 8/10
8/10