To Kill a Tiger, a Documentary film directed and written by Nisha Pahuja, got nominated for the 96th Oscars in the Best Documentary Feature category. The film executive produced by Mindy Kaling and Dev Patel was produced in India.
The nominations of the documentary were revealed on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. “To Kill a Tiger” was first premiered worldwide on September 10, 2022, at the Toronto International Film Festival, winning the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. After that, it made its North American debut at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023.
The Story
To Kill A Tiger movie tells the tough story of a family in Jharkhand fighting for justice after their thirteen-year-old daughter faces a terrible assault. The documentary, directed by Delhi-born Nisha Pahuja, reveals the family’s challenging journey as they try to hold those accountable for the crime. Despite facing sympathy for the perpetrators in the village, the family withdraws charges due to pressure.
The film, To Kill A Tiger, highlighted by TIFF, explores a story deeply rooted in cultural contexts, but it resonates universally with issues of rape culture and women’s suppression. The documentary exposes harmful victim-blaming attitudes, emphasizing the importance of assuring survivors that the incident is not their fault. It also sheds light on the shameful use of shame in sexual assault cases. Despite challenges, the central story of Ranjit and his brave daughter standing against pressure showcases remarkable strength.
Who is Nisha Pahuja
Nisha Pahuja, originally from Delhi, now lives in Toronto, Canada. She moved to Canada with her family in the 1970s and studied English Literature at the University of Toronto. After working on the CBC documentary Some Kind of Arrangement, she collaborated with Canadian filmmakers John Walker and Ali Kazimi. Her breakthrough came with the 2012 documentary The World Before Her.
Recognitions Received by Nisha Pahuja
Nisha Pahuja has recieved many awards like Best Documentary Feature at Tribeca Film Festival, Jury Award at Tribeca, Best Canadian Documentary at Hot Docs, and recognition from TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten. Her Emmy-nominated film had a theatrical release in India in 2014 with director Anurag Kashyap’s support. Nisha’s other works include the feature documentary Bollywood Bound and the three-part series Diamond Road.
Producer Mindy Kaling Pens Emotional Post for the Film and Director
Producer Mindy Kaling, shared her excitement on Instagram after the Oscar nomination, said, “TO KILL A TIGER NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY!!” She highlighted Nisha Pahuja’s powerful storytelling and the film’s triumph, expressing pride in being part of it.
Kaling praised the film’s portrayal of a family’s strength in the face of injustice. Mindy Kaling emphasized that the film To Kill a Tiger conveys message of overcoming heinous injustices through family strength, urging everyone to watch it.
The Trailer of the Film
The documentary’s official synopsis outlines Ranjit’s struggle for justice in India’s challenging environment, where sexual assault cases face significant obstacles. The film, backed by Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim, stands out for its powerful storytelling and portrayal of resilience against harrowing circumstances.
Looking at the Oscars, the 96th Academy Awards are set for March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Jimmy Kimmel is hosting for the second time, marking his fourth occasion hosting the Oscars.
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