Alia Bhatt on supporting Richie Mehta’s Poacher as an executive producer: “It really leaves an impact”

Poacher has been filmed in real-life settings in Kerala and New Delhi and unfolds primarily in Malayalam, Hindi and English.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

February 16, 2024 - 9:23 AM IST

Earlier this month, Prime Video announced that actor Alia Bhatt turned Executive Producer for its upcoming Amazon original series Poacher, produced by QC Entertainment. An investigative crime series based on true events; Poacher unearths the largest ivory poaching ring in Indian history. Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Richie Mehta has created, written, and directed the series, which boasts a diverse and talented cast comprising Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles. The trailer was launched on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Alia Bhatt on supporting Richie Mehta’s Poacher as an executive producer: “It really leaves an impact”

Alia Bhatt revealed that she met Richie Mehta in 2020 and discussed several topics. She had watched two episodes of the series and was really intrigued. “It really leaves an impact... Supporting a story like this, for us, as an audience is very important but I really thank Richie for putting this together... I think there is a lot of genuineness in it. There is a lot of heart in it and it comes across when you see the show,” Bhatt said at the trailer launch on Thursday.

“It was basically officers breaking down the door and finding this ivory in a flat and I was shocked. I couldn't believe in what I was seeing. I contacted the Wildlife Trust and asked, 'What is this?' They said, 'We did the biggest ivory raid in the history of India on your shoot day'." Mehta said he couldn't use the footage in the documentary but promised to do a project on that. He started researching and got to know about wildlife crime fighters. I did not think that job title existed. I was so enamoured by these people. Result of that is this series," Richie Mehta added.

Alia Bhatt added, “Being a part of this project is such a source of pride for me and our entire team at Eternal. Poacher is a clarion call to address the grave and heart-breaking issue of animal poaching and illegal wildlife trade. I hope that Richie’s powerful storytelling compels everyone to champion the urgent need for wildlife preservation and encourages us to embrace co-existence with all living beings. I am so happy to have found partners in QC Entertainment and Prime Video to bring this narrative to the world.”

The trailer provides a glimpse into the heartbreaking reality of the merciless and incessant killing of elephants. It follows a diverse group of wildlife custodians comprising forest crime fighters, police personnel, and good Samaritans, in their relentless quest to expose the largest ivory poaching ring in Indian history. But will the silent victims of these criminal acts – the helpless elephants – receive the justice they truly deserve? This question resonates deeply within the core of this thought-provoking crime series. Based on true events, Poacher skillfully sheds light on the consequences of human actions driven by personal gain and greed, thereby emphasizing the potential risks and endangering these species.

Poacher, which unfolds primarily in Malayalam, Hindi and English, is set to premiere on Prime Video on February 23 in multiple languages.