Wild Heart of the Mountains: Sandesh Kadur's New Nilgiris Documentary

A captivating wildlife documentary, "Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness," is set to hit Indian theatres on July 18, 2025. This film, presented by Felis Films and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and distributed by Dheeraj Films, explores India's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Nilgiris. It marks a significant milestone as the first feature-length wildlife documentary to receive a nationwide theatrical release.

The film has already garnered international acclaim for its storytelling and cinematic brilliance, winning multiple awards. Directed by Sandesh Kadur, who has been nominated for an Emmy and won a BAFTA, the documentary was filmed in stunning 8K resolution using top-tier Sony Professional and RED cameras. It offers a breathtaking visual journey through the region's diverse wildlife and landscapes.

Focus on Conservation

Rohini Nilekani, Executive Producer of the film and Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, emphasises the importance of conservation. She states, "With this film – Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, we hope to awaken people to the incredible beauty and biodiversity of this ancient and unique biosphere – the largest protected forest area in the country, now undergoing rapid change driven by human activity. If we wish to continue to conserve it, Samaaj, Sarkaarand Bazaar will have to work in unison to nurture this ecosystem. The documentary is a call to action for everyone who feels connected to these sacred landscapes."

Director Sandesh Kadur highlights the adaptability of wildlife in human-altered landscapes. He notes that species like black leopards and sloth bears thrive in tea gardens within this evolving wilderness. Kadur remarks on nature's resilience: "This is the story of a new wilderness, a mostly human-made landscape, where wildlife continues to adapt and thrive. Where else in the world can you have black leopards, gaur, sloth bears, etc., all living in a tea garden? Although it's in a constant state of change, it also shows nature's resilience and adaptability to survive the odds – if only we allow them the space to do so."

Educational Initiative

The documentary will be screened across major Indian cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Kochi, Trivandrum, Delhi among others. As part of an educational initiative aligned with NEP 2020's vision for experiential learning, discounted student shows will be offered nationwide.

Rohini Nilekani encourages educational institutions to participate: "I urge school principals, teachers, and parents to bring children to the theatres for this special experience. When young minds witness the beauty of our land–its forests, animals, and landscapes–on the big screen they are inspired to love learn protect. Watching a wildlife film like this in a theatre is rare–and powerful. Unlike small screens big screen brings every detail life high-resolution imagery immersive sound feels right inside forest animals."

About Felis Creations

Bangalore-based Felis Creations is renowned for producing high-quality natural history documentaries. Founded by Sandesh Kadur—a BAFTA-winning filmmaker—the company has earned accolades like the Panda Award. Their work features on global platforms such as National Geographic, BBC, Netflix, and Apple.