Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby Roars Into Unscripted Content With Diverse Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

As a fervent admirer of the dynamic duo Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, I am utterly captivated by their relentless pursuit of untold stories that resonate with the heart and mind. Their production company, Tiger Baby, is not just making waves in the film industry but is also daring to venture into uncharted territories such as documentaries and series.


Tiger Baby, the production house established by acclaimed Indian directors Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, is venturing into the realm of unscripted content, creating a collection of documentaries and series intended to shine light on lesser-known tales from India.

The firm recently revealed Taira Malaney’s “Turtle Walker” documentary, showcasing the remarkable odyssey of conservationist Satish Bhaskar who walked almost the entire Indian coastline in an attempt to safeguard sea turtles. Akhtar remarks, “He’s a true hero who doesn’t see himself as one. By walking nearly the whole Indian coast, he prevented sea turtles from becoming extinct. It’s such an inspiring tale, and he’s just one man.” This film will debut at Doc NYC and has won the esteemed Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards.

Kagti expresses that we share a love for various genres and are eager to explore everything. Particularly this one, it has roots in conservation. As individuals, we have a strong affinity towards the environment and its preservation. Since I’m also a farmer, I found this project particularly appealing,” Kagti explains.

A different upcoming production is titled “In Transit,” a nine-part documentary series created jointly with Amazon Studios. This series delves into the largely overlooked stories of transgender individuals in India, a facet of Indian society seldom depicted in mainstream media. As Akhtar explains, “There’s a trans community, and yet it’s rarely discussed. Who are they? What are their lives like? How do they cope? What challenges do they face, and what experiences do they have?

Akhtar is renowned for directing hit films such as “Life Here, Only Once” (2011), “Love Makes a Noise” (2015), and “Street Dreams” (2019), which were screened at the Berlinale and represented India in the Oscars. Kagti’s directorial works include “The Search” (2012) and “Golden Years” (2018). This dynamic duo has teamed up on numerous projects, co-writing films like “Life Here, Only Once” and “Street Dreams,” as well as the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime series “Heaven Made” (since 2019) and “Dahaad” (2023). The film “Superboys of Malegaon,” produced by Amazon Studios, Tiger Baby, and Excel Entertainment under Kagti’s direction, has recently been showcased at the Toronto and London film festivals.

Tiger Baby made its debut in the unscripted realm with the 2024 Prime Video release “Angry Young Men,” a three-part documentary series chronicling the personal and professional odyssey of the renowned screenwriting duo, commonly known as Salim-Javed, namely Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar.

Akhtar shares Tiger Baby’s approach to unscripted productions: “Each story requires its unique medium of expression, and we spend a lot of time watching documentaries since we both appreciate them. This area isn’t typically explored by mainstream producers. In fact, it can be challenging for others to bring these stories forward. If we have the ability to facilitate it, and we are passionate about it, we definitely will.

Kagti mentions they’re open to any ideas that catch their interest, and then they’ll determine the most effective approach.

Apart from producing documentaries, Tiger Baby is venturing into various aspects of content production. For approximately the past two years, their advertsing and brand partnership division, known as Tiger Telly, has been active.

Currently, Tiger Baby Records, a joint project with frequent collaborator Ankur Tewari, is gearing up for its debut artist launch. The label aims to delve into indie and folk music from various regions in India. In addition to music, TBR has broader aspirations, such as creating podcasts and potentially developing radio plays, according to Kagti’s statement.

In terms of their overall approach, these filmmakers prioritize creating an emotional impact over commercial success. As Kagti puts it, “It’s not merely about producing something; it’s about stirring us emotionally. The goal is to create work that strikes a chord with you personally, and since it resonates with you, you believe it will resonate with others too.

Akhtar expresses, “If our actions could foster a deeper comprehension, a sense of empathy, or simply spark new ideas, that would be remarkable. That’s what we strive for.

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2024-10-17 11:16