Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness

Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness
Film Poster
Directed bySandesh Kadur
Written bySandesh Kadur
Produced by
Narrated bySusheela Raman
Cinematography
  • Sandesh Kadur
  • Robin Darius Conz
  • Nakul Raj
  • Sameer Jain
  • Nikhil Virdi
Edited by
  • Pranav Narang
  • Varun Manavazhi
  • Robin Darius Conz
Music by
  • Susheela Raman
  • Sam Mills
  • Neel Adhikari
Production
company
Felis Films
Release dates
  • 4 November 2024 (2024-11-04) (Chennai)
  • 20 November 2024 (2024-11-20) (Bangalore)
Running time
75 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguagesEnglish, Tamil

Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness is a 2025 Indian nature documentary film directed by Sandesh Kadur and Produced by Rohini Nilekani. The film features Nilgiri Mountains, India's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.[1] The film is a co-production between Felis Films and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.[2] The film was certified "U" by the Central Board of Film Certification and was released theatrically on 18 July 2025.[3]

Synopsis

Nilgiris is India's first Biosphere Reserve known for sacred rivers, waterfalls and deep gorges including Moyar River Gorge. The Nilgiris Reserve encompasses the largest network of protected areas in the India.[4]

For over two and a half billion years, these mountains have been sculpted by the relentless forces of nature. Yet, in just a few centuries, human intervention has reshaped this pristine landscape - colonial plantations, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the expanding town of Ooty have left their indelible marks. Still, amidst this transformed terrain, the Nilgiris remain a sanctuary where wild creatures thrive on the edge of human presence: herds of gaur roam through roam through towns, playful leopard cubs dart among tea bushes, and fierce pack of dholes nurture their young amid the unfolding chaos.[5]

The film unfolds the story of this extraordinary meeting place where wildlife and humans collide, revealing a fragile balance that has preserved this enchanted realm for generations.[5]

Production

Principal photography commenced in July 2022 across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.[6] Post-production took place between September and October 2024 at Films@59 in Bristol, UK. Sound design and mixing were done at Wounded Buffalo in Bristol, UK.

Release

Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness was premiered at the National Film Development Corporation Tagore Film Centre in Chennai on 4 November 2024.[5] After several private and public screening at various cities across India,[7] the film was theatrically released on 18 July 2025 at more than 45 screens across India.[8]

Cinematographer Robin Darius Conz received the 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award from the Natural History Museum London, in the Urban Wildlife category for Photograph "Tiger in Town", featuring a tiger on the hillside captured during the filming of Nilgiris – A Shared Wilderness.[9]

Film Festivals

Year Festival Award
2025 World Film Festival in Cannes Best Nature/Wildlife Film

Best Indian Film

WorldFest-Houston International Film Fest Best Documentary
Festival de Cine Santiago Wild Natural History (Nominee)

References

  1. ^ Palak Vij (18 July 2025). "Sandesh Kadur on Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness: This is an educational documentary disguised as entertainment...|Exclusive". MoneyControl.
  2. ^ "Discover The Bicester Collection: A Global Showcase of Elevated Shopping and Cultural Experiences". The Hollywood Reporter India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Watch the story of India's first UNESCO biosphere reserve Nilgiris, on the big screen". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness: India's Award-Winning Documentary on Wildlife Conservation". 17 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "New documentary on Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve released". The Hindu. 4 November 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Kumaraguru hosts the Premiere of 'Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness' - The Covai Mail". 27 November 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Nilgiris- A Shared Wilderness". Bangalore International Centre. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  8. ^ "'Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness'—A Love Letter to India's Oldest Biosphere Reserve".
  9. ^ "Tiger in Town | Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum". Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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