'Murder is Murder' says Alia Bhatt in effective awareness video ahead of 'Poacher' release

Alia Bhatt

'Poacher', which premieres worldwide on 23 February, is a fictionalized dramatization of real-life events which unearths the biggest ivory poaching ring in Indian history. Written, created, and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Richie Mehta, the series features an accomplished ensemble cast including Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya. The story is based on a group of Indian Forest Service officers, NGO workers, police constables, and good Samaritans who risked their lives trying to track down this investigation. Actor, Entrepreneur, and Producer, Alia Bhatt is the Executive Producer for the series, with her production company Eternal Sunshine Productions.

In a chilling awareness video, which Prime Video just dropped, an eerie silence, foul smell, and a morbid aura have taken over the beautiful, serene, and rejuvenating atmosphere of the forest. Alia is in a state of shock, as she comes across a loaded rifle, bullet casings, and the silhouette of a lifeless body that would send shivers down the spine of anyone present and make the gruesome, unspeakable acts of horrors feel even more real. Rattled by the crime scene in the middle of the forest and the silhouette where an innocent life was brutally and untimely taken, makes you agonizingly reflect about the value of life. Be it human or animal, shouldn't the value of all lives be the same? And crimes against either should not go unpunished, after all, ‘Murder is Murder'.

Home to elephants and countless other animals, the forest was always meant to be a safe haven for them, until the arrival of poachers. Intruding, encroaching, and killing mercilessly, poachers have forced many animals onto the list of endangered species.

Talking about coming on board as the Executive Producer for Poacher, Alia Bhatt shared, "Being part of this incredibly significant project is an honor, for both me and the entire team at Eternal Sunshine Productions. The impact of Poacher was deeply personal, and Richie's portrayal of the urgent issue of wildlife crime resonated strongly with me and the team. The storytelling genuinely moved me, especially knowing it's based on true events, that shed light on brutal crimes occurring in our forests. I am confident that Poacher will serve as an eye-opener, delivering a powerful message to be more compassionate and considerate towards all living beings. It's a call to embrace coexistence and I am genuinely thrilled to be collaborating with Richie, QC and Prime Video and to contribute to this narrative."

'Poacher' is executive produced by QC Entertainment's Edward H. Hamm Jr., Raymond Mansfield, and Sean McKittrick, in association with Suitable Pictures, Poor Man's Productions, and Eternal Sunshine Productions. Alan McAlex (Suitable Boy) serves as producer for Suitable Pictures. Also from Delhi Crime are Director of Photography Johan Aidt, composer Andrew Lockington and editor Beverley Mills.