When a series of news stories on wild animal trafficking in Odisha and other parts of India hit the headlines, a film on wild animal trafficking is coming. “Bagha Bazari Dance of Tigers,” an Odia film, focuses on how a racket is active in a forest area, and they have international links. Arindam, a crime reporter, ventures into the ring of this racket, but he himself becomes the prey of the racket. The film also shines a light on human beastiality. How cruelty has destroyed relationships The film claims to have a complete original story line, along with Odia touches.

Arindam, along with his three friends JJ, Pranay, and Runi, go to a remote area to visit his teacher from his childhood days. He remembers his teacher as a furious man like a tiger because he was notorious for his corporal punishment. After 30 years, the same teacher is on his deathbed, which symbolises the situation of the tiger in the jungle. Even his own son is not in good condition surviving as a security guard. Four friends meet the teacher and come to the nearest forest guest house to have lunch. Deer meat for lunch pushes Arindam to think about the wildlife trafficking racket. Where people are celebrating tiger dance in the village, the same place has been a turf of trophy hunters. At the same time, his friend Runi also becomes prey to a serious crime that symbolises the attack of a tiger. The story moves with parallel plots to the climax.

Noted Odia cine-artists Pritiraj Satpathy, Hara Rath, and Chitta Ranjan have played the pivotal characters in this film, while debutant theatre artist Tilottama has graced the screen as the character of Runi. Similarly, Bulu Panda Jayant Santra, Shivani Khara, Devadutt, and Duryodhan, all active in theatres, have appeared in this film. Besides Mahendra Patra, the Tiger Dance Troupe of Ganjam has shown their prowess in a dramatic twist.

The story and screenplay for this film have been written by senior journalist Mihir Ranjan Acharya. Mihir and Devadutta have directed this film. Well-known DOP Bibhu Prasad Mishra handled the camera, and Pintu Nayak edited this. Bagha Bazari has two other songs. Noted dramatist Bijay Das has written and composed these two songs.

The film claims to have been shot in Badamba and Narasinghpur, both in Odisha. The same area where three elephants were shot dead and ditched. The prosecution of crime reporter Arindam is said to have been done over the famous crime reporter Arindam.

Produced by journalist Srutirekha Mishra, under “She Odisha” Banner “Bagha Bazari” is scheduled to be released in April’s second week. Prior to that its trailer and poster have been released at Geeta Govinda Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, where its preview screening also held and it received a positive response from film critics and senior film personalities.