To Kill a Tiger is a 2022 Hindi-language Canadian documentary film, directed by Nisha Pahuja."Tanya Tagaq doc, Indigenous romance among Canadian titles added to TIFF slate". CityNews, August 10, 2022. The film centres on a family in Jharkhand, India, who are campaigning for justice after their teenage daughter was brutally raped.Johanna Schneller, "Documentary details fight for justice against sexual violence in India". The Globe and Mail, February 9, 2023.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022.Matthew Carey, "TIFF Announces Doc Lineup Highlighted By World Premiere Of Hillary And Chelsea Clinton-Executive Produced Film ‘In Her Hands’". Deadline Hollywood, August 17, 2022. The film had its American premiere at the Lighthouse International Film Festival in June 2023."2023 Lighthouse International Film Festival: Documentaries and Narrative Features". New Jersey Stage, May 23, 2023. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Release To Kill a Tiger was originally released in select theaters in the United States without a distributor on October 20, 2023, followed by a re-release on February 9, 2024. In August 2023, Creators Faire reported that Dev Patel and Mindy Kaling signed on as executive producers; other executive producers also include Deepa Mehta, Rupi Kaur and Atul Gawande. In February 2024, Netflix acquired worldwide distribution rights to the documentary, planning to release the documentary on their platform as soon as possible, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas joining the film as an executive producer. On March 8, 2024, Pahuja announced that the film would be made available globally on Netflix two days later, coinciding with the 96th Academy Awards.
Critical response The film was named to TIFF's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for 2022.Pat Mullen, "Three Feature Docs Make Canada’s Top Ten". Point of View, December 8, 2022.
While western publications heavily praised the documentary, Indian journalist and film critic Anna M.M. Vetticad, writing for Himal Southasian, offered a critical counter-perspective. Vetticad argued that international coverage overlooked a significant legal and ethical oversight in the film's production. She criticized the framing of Western media—such as The New York Times characterizing India's strict survivor privacy laws as a "shroud of shame"—stating that these legal protections are instead a vital "shield" meant to protect sexual violence survivors from systemic societal stigmatization and media exploitation in a deeply patriarchal society.
Janet Smith of Stir praised the film, writing that Pahuja "offers the viewer remarkable access to village life, not just in the modest home where Ranjit’s family make roti on an open fire, but in the fields where they herd goats and collect water from a pump. The camera finds quiet details, like Ranjit’s daughter carefully weaving ribbons into her hair. Women and men insist that the community, not the criminal court, should solve the issue with a forced marriage—to remove the “stain on her”. The men become increasingly hostile—to the family, and eventually to the film crew itself."Janet Smith, "To Kill a Tiger takes a powerful look at one father's fight against sexual violence in India, at VIFF till February 16". Stir, February 11, 2023.
Andrew Parker of TheGATE.ca wrote that "as a highly detailed and personal work that can point people in a direction where they could learn more about the subject and make a larger impact, To Kill a Tiger has an undeniable and unshakable power. It is one of those documentaries where anyone who watches it won’t be the same person by the end as they were when it started."Andrew Parker, "To Kill a Tiger Review: Only God Forgives". TheGATE.ca, February 9, 2023.
James Mackin of CityNews rated the film four stars, writing that "To Kill A Tiger is about accomplishing an insurmountable problem. The odds are stacked against them, the nation’s culture opposes their desire for justice. But Ranjit and his family persevere, and are able to remain in the village. This documentary is an incredibly emotional showcase that is absolutely worth a watch."James Mackin, "REVIEW: To Kill A Tiger, a refusal to ignore justice". CityNews, February 9, 2023.
Thom Ernst of Northern Stars wrote that "told with immense compassion and bravery, To Kill a Tiger is Pahuja’s best film and one of the best documentaries at this year’s festival." The film has also garnered the attention of comedian and producer Mindy Kaling, who called the film a "triumph" and that "everyone should see it!"
Legal issues and controversy Following the film's international prominence and Academy Award nomination, legal and ethical questions were raised regarding its compliance with Indian child protection statutes. In an investigative review for Himal Southasian, critic Anna M.M. Vetticad noted that the documentary largely escaped scrutiny for potential violations of the country's child-protection laws during its production.
The film features footage of the rape survivor captured while she was still a minor, revealing her face and identifying details. Under Section 23 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, there is an absolute prohibition against disclosing any information that could reveal the identity of a minor child rape survivor, unless explicit permission is granted by a competent Special Court in the interest of the child. Speaking to the publication, Supreme Court of India Senior Advocate Rebecca Mammen John questioned whether the filmmaker had obtained the legally required Special Court authorization prior to filming. John further noted that any later waivers of privacy signed by the survivor as an adult would not retroactively legitimize or validate filming that took place while she was legally a minor if proper judicial processes were bypassed at the time.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Toronto International Film Festival 2022Best Canadian Film To Kill a TigerAndrew Jeffrey, "TIFF ’22: “Black Ice,” “While We Watched” among award winners". RealScreen, September 19, 2022.Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival2022Inspiring Voices and Perspectives"ONF – Les films TO KILL A TIGER, THE FLYING SAILOR et BILL REID REMEMBERS à l’honneur au Canada’s Top Ten". CTVM, December 9, 2022.Canadian Screen Awards2023Best Feature Length DocumentaryNisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe, David Oppenheim, Anita Lee, Atul GawandeJackson Weaver, "To Kill a Tiger, We're All Gonna Die and BLK emerge as top winners at CSAs' opening night". CBC News, April 11, 2023.Best Editing in a DocumentaryMike Munn and Dave KazalaBest Original Music in a DocumentaryJonathan GoldsmithPalm Springs International Film Festival2023Best DocumentaryTo Kill a TigerWilliam Earl, "‘Saint Omer,’ ‘To Kill a Tiger’ Among Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Winners". Variety, January 15, 2023.Salem Film Fest2023Special Jury AwardScott Souza, "'To Kill A Tiger' Wins Top Salem Film Fest 2023 Awards". Patch, April 3, 2023.Michael Sullivan Award for Documentary JournalismCanadian Cinema Editors Awards2023Best Editing in Feature DocumentaryMike Munn and Dave KazalaVictoria Ahearn, "CCE Awards fete editors". Playback, May 29, 2023.Lighthouse International Film Festival2023Audience Award for Best DocumentaryTo Kill a Tiger Honey Levine Audience Choice AwardDoc Aviv- Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival2023Beyond the Screen AwardMammoth Lakes Film Festival2023Best International Documentary FeatureNew York Indian Film Festival2023Best DocumentaryPat Mullen, "Mindy Kaling, Dev Patel Board Canadian Doc To Kill a Tiger". Point of View, August 15, 2023.Directors Guild of Canada2023Allan King Award for Best DocumentaryConnie Thiessen, "‘Women Talking’ leads winners at 22nd annual DGC Awards". Broadcast Dialogue, October 22, 2023.IDA Documentary Awards2023Best Original Music ScoreJonathan GoldsmithBest WritingNisha PahujaVancouver Film Critics Circle2024Best DocumentaryNisha PahujaBest Canadian Film Taimur Sikander Mirza, "BlackBerry, Seagrass lead VFCC’s Canadian nominees". Playback, January 23, 2024.Best Director of a Canadian FilmBest Canadian DocumentaryAcademy AwardsMarch 10, 2024Best Documentary Feature FilmNisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David OppenheimPat Mullen, "Canadian Doc To Kill a Tiger Among Oscar Nominees for Documentary". Point of View, January 23, 2024.
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References
External links
To Kill a Tiger at the National Film Board of Canada catalog
To Kill a Tiger at TVOntario