POACHER SEASON 1 REVIEW : A DETAILED CRIME DRAMA THAT INVESTIGATES POACHING BUT ADDRESSES APATHY
Renuka Vyavahare, TNN, Feb 23, 2024, 01.50 AM IST
Story:
Based on true events, the detailed eight-part crime drama follows some valiant forest officers and conservators, who put their lives on the line to investigate the illegal ivory trade and elephant poaching crimes, occurring in the forests of Kerala.
Review:
Set in 2015, almost 20 years after conservationists and forest department officials thought they had contained poaching, the series deep dives into uncovering an ivory smuggling ring. After a guilt-ridden forest watcher, Aruku, confesses to being a part of heinous crimes committed against elephants, the Kerala forest department springs into action. They are under scrutiny for negligence and must bring the perpetrators to books in no time.
Field Director Neel Bannerjee (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) takes charge and ropes in competent Range Officer Mala Jogi (Nimisha Sajayan) and computer programmer Alan (Roshan Mathew) to lead the investigation. The undercover operation is assisted from all quarters by people who firmly believe that animal cruelty is a crime against humanity as it damages the ecosystem. How these forest officers, who don’t particularly enjoy the powers and authority of the police, go about doing their job forms the story.
In a world that’s largely cynical, there are people who care. Richie Mehta, the Emmy award-winning creator of Delhi Crime once again focuses on these silent crusaders. They must untie a web of lies, corruption and apathy by staying within the system and finding ways to navigate internal as well as external work pressures and politics. Not all warriors wear capes. Mehta’s crusaders don uniforms and some don’t even have the privilege of flashing a badge, but they work relentlessly, nonetheless.
Unlike the exhibitionist bravado displayed in commercial Hindi films, his heroes are restrained yet rebellious. They don’t go rogue and firmly believe, a few good men can make a difference. This glaring optimism seems a tad too utopian, but the filmmaker doesn’t hesitate to celebrate it. Poacher is a detailed investigative drama, so if you seek instant gratification from a run-of-the-mill pacy crime thriller, beware that this does feel exhausting and requires patience. The gradual build up feels more fulfilling and rewarding to watch than the outcome.
An intense camera work follows the actors’ faces tirelessly, and Nimisha Sajayan exudes courage especially in the closing shot. Roshan Mathew is a revelation and it’s a shame that he was wasted in Darlings (2022). Dibyendu Bhattacharya is effective as an inspiring leader.
Poacher may investigate an ivory smuggling ring, but it essentially addresses apathy, a topic most relevant today. Are poachers just pawns in the grand schemes of things? Who’s the big fish? The wealthy dealers or unscrupulous humans who wish to dominate the food chain? Meticulously crafted, Poacher goes beyond the realm of a procedural to begin a broader dialogue. It’s the sense of urgency that you miss.