Project Tiger review: A roaring tale of power, loss and redemption

India Today

3 days ago

'Project Tiger' is not just a documentary, it's a journey through time, myth, power, and redemption. Told with clear, emotional storytelling, it takes you deep into the world of one of nature's most dangerous predators, showing us how the tiger has been feared, worshipped, hunted, and finally, protected.The documentary begins by explaining why the tiger has always been seen as a powerful beast. With sharp visuals and a moving voice-over, it shows how the tiger was once a symbol of strength across India. In Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga is shown riding a tiger, to show that she is powerful enough to tame the wildest of creatures. It's a clever way to connect the animal with power, both divine and earthly.advertisementBut things took a dark turn when the British colonised India. With them came rifles and guns, something the locals had never seen before. Fear spread fast, but so did a new form of power. Hunting tigers became a sport for both the British and Indian kings, with men placing bets to see who could kill the most. What was once a symbol of strength was now a trophy. And then comes one of the most chilling lines in the documentary:'Now the hunter has become the hunted.' It also highlights a lesser-known but shocking moment, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's jungle safari in India, where they hunted a tiger. These scenes make it clear how much damage was done in the name of adventure and pride.
But the documentary isn't just about loss. It also tells the story of change. When Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1966, everything shifted. A true animal lover, she was determined to stop the killing of tigers. Her powerful speech at the General Assembly and her push to declare the tiger as India's national animal brought the focus back to protection, not power.From there, the documentary covers major conservation efforts like 'Let Us Count Our Tigers', 'Operation Save Tigers', and the intense 'Project Save Avni'. The story of 'Project Save Avni' hits particularly hard. It's about one tigress, and how even with all our efforts, we couldn't save her. It makes us feel responsible, as if we let her down. The emotions here are strong. Guilt, helplessness, and a desperate need to do better.Yet, 'Project Tiger' ends on a hopeful note. After all the struggles, it became one of the most successful wildlife protection initiatives in the world. And that's something to be proud of.With powerful storytelling, emotional depth, and a clear message, 'Project Tiger' makes you care, not just about tigers, but about what they represent. It shows us the impact of our actions and reminds us that saving one animal can sometimes mean saving a part of ourselves, too. Filmed by renowned wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Kalyan Verma, whose work has received global recognition and an Emmy nomination, the documentary charts the project's evolution over five decades, shedding light not only on its successes but also on the setbacks, controversies, and compromises encountered along the way.The documentary is available to stream on Discovery+- Ends