| Creator, Writer, Director | Richie Mehta |
| Executive Producer | Alia Bhatt |
| Cast | Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Ankith Madhav, Kani Kusruti |
| Episodes | 8 |
– No Spoilers –
When the subject matter revolves around protecting innocent animals who want to be left alone in peace but find themselves ensnared in human greed and lust for power and money, most audiences take notice. Marketed heavily as a show that is close to Alia Bhatt’s heart because of this very subject matter (and also executive-produced by her), Amazon Prime Video’s latest series takes a gritty and dark look at the shocking case of illegal poaching for ivory taking place in Kerala, one that will leave most viewers on the edge of their seats.
Relentless like its protagonists Mala and Alan and other equally passionate wildlife enthusiasts, the series holds on to a thrilling pace for most of its runtime, making us hunt down the perpetrators in order to keep our wild animals safe in their natural habitats. The story starts with one of the people in the poaching ring coming out to report the huge operation out of guilt and the ball rolls from there and as soon as it does, Poacher doesn’t give up until it brings down whoever is responsible.
As we go from branch to branch of this rotting tree, things get murkier than ever. Every episode inches closer to catching the main people behind the poaching game but before we can get there, things take different routes than anticipated and keep us wondering what comes next. Of course, I personally think that the investigators have a more convenient time than the actuality of the situation, but the series does take us to the depths of the situations as well as the people.
However, it’s not always a black-and-white situation as we see as the series progresses. The people in this show are written with much depth and care and makes you root for their cause. Everyone has a reason for behaving the way that they do, both the poacher and the law enforcement officers. The series does a fantastic job of creating a well-written ecosystem of characters and stories, and Nimisha Sajayan and Roshan Mathew are fantastic in their roles. Sajayan, battling her own demons, especially makes you root for her constantly as she works for a good cause that most turn a blind eye to.
Nimisha Sajayan, who won hearts in The Great Indian Kitchen, arrives with this story with full force and plants and animals are her whole personality. So forceful is her love for her job in the series that you can’t help but feel her pain, anxiety and anger as she goes forward with only one agenda in her life. Although there are several layers to why she does what she does, they never dilute who she is as a person and Maya is someone you look up to throughout the runtime. Alan, on the other hand, handling the intricacies of his marriage, is also a loveable and just character that Roshan Mathew plays with warmth and diligence.
Ranging from a runtime of 40 minutes to 60 minutes, every episode keeps you at the edge of your seats with anticipation, wondering whether or not our gallant warriors will be able to find the culprits involved in this heinous trade. Considering the Indian bureaucracy that we are all very well versed with, when things go in favour of our protagonists, our expectations rise. Thankfully, those giant expectations are met as well thanks to Sajayan’s intensity and a well-thought-out plot.
It’s the last few minutes of the series that truly makes watching this almost 8-hour series worth it. Ending on a tender and hopeful note, the series makes you teary-eyed after the hardships that the team has gone through and even though there still are speedbumps on the road, one can’t help but feel like as long as the next generation grows up to love and respect nature and everything that resides in it, there can be a hope for a better future.
Poacher Review: Conclusion
This series is a tense and thrilling ride from start to finish that goes through many ups and downs to reach higher grounds. Although the special effects are a little off and the plot seems just a little too convenient, one can’t ignore the important messaging that is given in a no-nonsense format, a bunch of characters who are both relatable and aspirational and a whole cast of people who are nothing short of brilliant. All in all, if you want something to keep yourself and your family occupied this week, Poacher should definitely be on your radar.
The series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.