Film on Machhli, Ranthambore's famous tigress, leaves Jaipurites nostalgic

Ranthambore's famous tigress, Machhli, came alive on the big screen with the screening of a docu-drama made on her by wildlife filmmaker, S. Nalla Muthu. The special screening held at Jawahar Kala Kendra saw city’s who’s who, including wildlife experts, turning up to attend the premiere of the 60-minute film, ‘The World's Most Famous Tiger’. Known as the lady of the lake, queen Machhli and several other names, the film made Jaipurites nostalgic, especially those who had seen the animal in the wild or captured her through their lenses.


Gajendra Singh, Rajasthan Minister for Forest and Environment felicitating the filmmaker S. Nallamuthu

Shot over a period of nine years, the film follows the life of Machhli, until her death. Nalla, who has won Indian National Film Award for Best Cinematography in 2012, has been filming tigers in different wildlife sanctuaries. Says the filmmaker, “My aim is to reach out and tell these stories to a wider local audience and communities, outside the small bubble of us, wildlife enthusiasts, so that more and more people start sympathizing and bonding with tigers. In turn, they will learn to empathize with the cause of protecting the animals.”

Jaipurites thoroughly enjoyed the film. Thanks to more guests turning up than what the auditorium could accommodate, the organisers had to host a second show of the film. Yunus Khimani, director at one of the city museums, who was a member of the audience, said, “It was quite an emotional experience to watch the film, especially the last scene, where the ferocious tigress takes her last breath, leaving a rich legacy behind her. Kudos to the filmmaker who spent nine years, patiently and closely observing the animal, and bringing it all on screen.” Also present at the occasion were Gajendra Singh khimsar, Rajasthan Minister for Forest and Environment, Bina Kak, former tourism minister , erstwhile Jaipur royal Narendra Singh, author Dharmendra Kanwar, among others.