In the realm of cinematography, “To Terminate a Feline,” set against the backdrop of a village in Jharkhand, contended with “20 Days in Mariupol” in the distinguished documentary feature category during the 96th installment of the Academy Awards. Crafted by the adept hands of Ukrainian filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov, “20 Days in Mariupol” unfurls a disconcerting personal narrative chronicling the initial tumultuous days of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in 2022. Conversely, “To Terminate a Feline” hails from India, bearing the directorial insignia of Indian origin filmmaker Nisha Pahuja.
The storyline traces Ranjit’s arduous crusade to secure justice for his 13-year-old daughter, who fell victim to abduction and subsequent sexual assault by a triumvirate of individuals. “Ranjit approaches the law enforcement agencies, leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators. However, his respite proves ephemeral, as the denizens and their leaders orchestrate an unwavering campaign compelling the family to retract the charges.
A cinematic documentary, “To Terminate a Feline,” vividly captures Ranjit’s uphill struggle in his quest for justice for his progeny,” as elucidated by the official portal of the documentary. The production emanates from the collaborative efforts of Notice Pictures Inc, co-producing alongside the esteemed National Film Board (NFB) of Canada. The production helmsmanship is attributed to Cornelia Principe, with Pahuja spearheading under the aegis of Notice Pictures Inc, and David Oppenheim from NFB.
Despite the omission of the Nisha Pahuja directorial from the Oscar laurels, it has accrued accolades from various corners of the globe, including the Best Documentary distinction at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF, and the coveted Best Feature Documentary accolade at the Canadian Screen Awards. The Directors Guild of Canada bestowed upon Pahuja the esteemed 2023 Excellence in Documentary Award.
The executive production lineup for “To Terminate A Feline” boasts luminaries such as Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Canadian bard Rupi Kaur, and the surgical virtuoso turned bestselling author Atul Gawande. In a recent development, the distinguished Priyanka Chopra, an Indian and global icon, assumes the role of an executive producer for this lauded documentary. This revelation aligns with Netflix securing the global distribution rights for the production, slated for imminent release on its platform.
Among the contenders in the Oscars’ best documentary feature category were “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” “The Eternal Memory,” and “Four Daughters.” Presided over by the affable Jimmy Kimmel, the 2024 Oscars unfolds at the illustrious Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.