Page 22 - Masala Lite Issue 157 January 2024

22 MASALA RECOMMENDS
Impactful Indian documentaries
that are worth the watch.
AGAINST THE TIDE (2023)
shift in the climate, and where one friend commits to favourable decisions compared to
the other.
here used to be a time when well-
executed documentaries were very
far in between. They were also
considered a completely different
pursuit in the art of filmmaking,
documenting real-world people
and stories from a certain point of view, on a
much smaller budget. With today’s technology
and greater emphasis on storytelling on streaming,
documentaries have been released in droves. While
some rely on their flair for dramatics, others remain
true to their fly-on-the-wall perspectives. Either
way, it still makes for great entertainment. More
importantly, it helps us better reflect on our own
experiences.
Here is a diverse mix of Indian documentaries from
the past couple of years that are either critically
acclaimed or highly recommended. And they are
all, most definitely, worth the watch.
ALL THAT BREATHES (2022)
With a 99 percent ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes,
87 on Metascore, and having made its rounds through
the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film
Festival, All That Breathes is a wonderful story about
two brothers, Nadeem Shezad and Mohammad Saud,
who run a bird clinic in Wazirabad, Delhi. Rescuing and
treating injured black kites (medium-sized birds of prey),
the film uncovers the flaws of the modern world, from
environmental crises to the lack of human accountability,
all in one community. This is a beautifully shot and
directed film that blends nature and human drama,
much like the urban environment encroaching upon the wild. The brothers are the
best of us, aiming to create a world where humans and animals coexist.
MASAL A LITE ISSUE 157 - JANUARY 2024
BY MAHMOOD HOSSAIN
Rated 84 on Metascore and 95 percent ‘Fresh’ on Rotten
Tomatoes, Against the Tide follows two indigenous
fishermen in Mumbai, India, as their friendship hangs in
the balance while they go their separate ways to keep their
struggling families afloat. While Ganesh approaches his
duties with the latest technology and a large crew, Rakesh
operates with humble means, adhering to traditional
Koli methods. Their contrasting views, however, are met
with common challenges and can only be overcome by
remaining resolute. This film is a stunning view into an
ecosystem that is tainted by corporate greed and the drastic
THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS (2022)
There are plenty of hard-hitting documentaries that will
leave you devastated and speechless. The winner of the
Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Film, The
Elephant Whisperers delivers what critic Poulomi Das
appropriately stated as, “ultimately a love story about the
power of community.” This heartwarming project displays
pure devotion and care by Bomman and Bellie for an
orphaned baby elephant named Raghu. Set in South India,
both the couple and the elephant forge a special familial
bond while showcasing the nature of the Indian culture and
the purity of environmental conservation. Be warned, this
film can also be considered a tear-jerker; but in a good way.
THE HUNT FOR VEERAPPAN (2023)
This four-part docuseries on Netflix is about an infamous
poacher and smuggler who conquered the South Indian
jungles, later becoming the subject of the biggest manhunt
in India for 20 years. Some stories play out like Hollywood
scripts, only to realise it’s non-fiction. Veerappan is
responsible for building a criminal empire, a long-standing
rivalry with the police, and adding to an extensive list of
abductions, violence, and bloodshed. This series has become
more of a fan favourite (with an 86 percent audience score
on Rotten Tomatoes) than a recommendation by critics
(4 out of 4 critics rated it ‘Fresh’), which shouldn’t deter
audiences from watching and enjoying it.
WRITING WITH FIRE (2021)
Writing with Fire is one of the best examples of women
empowerment, a documentary that follows Chief Reporter
Meera and her team of dedicated journalists shattering
traditions in a male-dominated industry by being India’s
only newspaper led and run by Dalit women. With a 100
percent ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is
regarded as a spirited tribute to the power of journalism
against the frightening forces standing against it. Not only
are these women fearless and tenacious, but they also use
the best of human ingenuity and tools on hand to confront
social injustices and fight for marginalised voices. This serves
as inspiration for aspiring journalists and a rejuvenating
experience for seasoned ones.