Stripe Chasers is an enthralling wildlife documentary set in the summers of Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh. While it celebrates the mesmerising beauty of the majestic Sal forests, this film also pays tribute to the park guides community who are the unsung heroes navigating the wilderness with unwavering dedication, educating the visitors and contributing towards creating awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Our story revolves around the park guides Sukhlal and Seema, the 2 main characters of the film. Sukhlal, the grandson of the legendary Manglu Baiga, shoulders the weight of living up to the reputation of his grandfather while battling the challenges of raising his family and making a living from the park guide profession just outside the Khatia gate of Kanha National Park. Through the safaris Sukhlal shares his wealth of knowledge, his personal experiences in the jungles and popular folklore with the visitors to the park, keeping them at the edge of their seats throughout their safaris.

At the southern end of Kanha, at the famed Mukki gates resides Seema. She is a new mother from the Gond tribe who is married into a family serving the forests in various roles. Seema is from the 2nd batch of female guides inducted into the profession. Her family exhibits progressive attitude towards her profession and this is heartwarming to watch at such rural grassroot level of India. Seema still has to stand her ground in this male dominated profession of park guides and make her own identity in a patriarchal rural society. She shares her experiences taking visitors on safari, challenges being away from her newborn and her love for the forest.

Through stunning visuals and an engaging storyline, the stakes build as both Sukhlal and Seema struggle to get a sighting of the elusive tiger. As the clock ticks towards the end time of safari, every missed opportunity of witnessing the tiger mounts pressure on both of them. The film follows their adventures, the legends of forests and the efforts of the guides leading tourists on safaris to spot tigers.

Amidst Kanha's dense forests, the documentary also highlights experiences of tourists and officers in the forest departments. Beyond wildlife, it underscores the profound connection between humans and nature, emphasising the need to preserve our natural heritage. "Stripe Chasers" is both a tribute to park guides and a call to appreciate their vital role. The film aims to spark wonder and respect for these guides and their conservation efforts. With its compelling climax witnessing the elusive tiger, this documentary is poised to captivate audiences, fostering a deeper bond with the environment.

Experience the splendours of Kanha and the guides' dedication through "Stripe Chasers", a cinematic experience that showcases their camaraderie, challenges and commitment towards protecting these forests. As we submit this film to wildlife film festivals, we're confident that this film will not only engage the viewers with its breathtaking visuals but also move the viewer by showcasing a side of the forest through the eyes of the park guides of Kanha National Park.

Vishwajeet Dash is the founder of JustVish Creative Studios, a turnkey video production, social media and documentary filmmaking company. Vishwajeet started his career as a private banker but his passion for filmmaking nudged him to self learn the craft of visual storytelling. With over 8 years of experience in the realm of video production and visual storytelling, Vishwajeet has had the privilege of creating impactful visual stories that resonate deeply with audiences. He firmly believes in the power of visual storytelling to shape perceptions, inspire action, and deliver tangible results. His work has been featured in Indian Express, Odisha Tourism, AirAsia Travel 3Sixty Magazine and many other publications. He has been awarded by the Tourism Dept of Govt India for his contribution towards adventure tourism videos in the Andamans. He was judged the 2nd winner of the India Film Project Vlog Challenge. He has also conducted workshops on filmmaking in NIT Rourkela, ODM school and others. He also showcases his love for food, travel and adventure on his YouTube channel "JustVish".

Drop in an email to stripechasers@sinali.in