| Genre: | Crime drama |
| Creator: | Richie Mehta |
| Director: | Richie Mehta |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Malayalam |
| Num Episodes: | 8 |
| Cinematography: | Johan Heurlin Aidt |
| Network: | Amazon Prime Video |
Poacher is an Indian Malayalam-language crime drama miniseries created by Richie Mehta. Starring Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Ankith Madhav, Kani Kusruti, Ranjitha Menon and Maala Parvathi, the series explores the issue of ivory poaching in India. At the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, the first three episodes were premiered and on 23 February 2024, the series was released on Amazon Prime Video and received positive reviews from critics.[1]
Set in 2015, the series is based on true events of ivory poaching that took place in Malayattoor, Vazhachal and Munnar forest divisions of Kerala, which had alleged involvement of transnational crime syndicates Triad and Yakuza, and the subsequent government action known as Operation Shikkar.[2] [3] [4]
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave 4 stars out of 5 and wrote in his review that it is a welcome diversion from the meaningless bravado and empty talk that the terrorists, cops, spies, gangsters, traitors, and patriots that we typically witness in Indian web series. The poacher is full of life and not prone to excesses. It knows just when and how to land it and packs a powerful blow.[5] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 3 stars out of 5 and said the way the act of poaching is portrayed makes it clear that writer-director Richie Mehta has done extensive study on the issue. Its cast selection demonstrates how much care has been taken to keep it grounded and real.[6] Vinamra Mathur of the Firstpost writes in her review that Poacher is one of the few instances where the gripping story makes you both uncomfortable and glued to the screen. Sometimes the intent is sufficient on its own, but Poacher takes the appropriate intent and executes it well. It forces you to keep your face hidden while watching what transpires.[7]