Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the launch of ‘India: Epic Wild Stories’, a documentary anthology on Animal Planet that highlights the country’s biodiversity through the lens of Indian filmmakers. Launching in July, the series will feature monthly premieres, as it spans diverse ecosystems across the country offering audiences a deeper understanding of India’s natural world and the people working to protect it.
Known for its factual storytelling, Animal Planet brings cinematic, research-backed narratives that go beyond spectacle and foster connections with the natural world. Through stories from the field, the brand aims to inspire curiosity and conservation while bringing audiences closer to the people, places and wildlife that make these stories unique.
The anthology opens with a six-part documentary series, ‘Shared Spaces’, that journeys across India’s forests, mountains, coastlines and grasslands to uncover the relationship between people and wildlife. Hosted by environmental journalist Bahar Dutt and filmed by wildlife filmmaker, cinematographer, photographer, and conservationist Vijay Bedi, the series offers an intimate look at the communities, conservationists and species navigating a changing world. Through stories of conflict, coexistence and hope, ‘Shared Spaces’ reveals how people and wildlife are learning to adapt, survive and thrive alongside one another in a shared landscape.
Following ‘Shared Spaces’, the anthology features four other documentaries by Indian wildlife filmmakers, each offering a perspective on the country’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. ‘Wild Kashmir’ sees wildlife filmmaker and television host Malaika Vaz journey into the wilderness of Dachigam National Park to uncover one of the Himalayas’ ecosystems. In ‘My Otter Diary’, filmmaker Sugandhi Gadadhar chronicles the lives of smooth-coated otters along the Cauvery River and their coexistence with local communities. ‘Turtle Walker’, by Taira Malaney, pays tribute to conservationist Satish Bhaskar and his mission to protect India’s sea turtles.
Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle and Kids, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery said, “India’s natural history is as rich and layered as its cultural heritage, yet many of these stories remain underrepresented in mainstream entertainment. With India: Epic Wild Stories, we wanted to curate a destination that brings together some of the most exceptional wildlife films by Indian filmmakers, each offering a deeply local perspective on the country’s landscapes, species and conservation journeys.
“It reflects Animal Planet’s continued commitment to championing premium factual storytelling that informs, inspires and fosters a stronger connection with the world around us,” Abishek said.
With ‘India: Epic Wild Stories’, Animal Planet aims to reinforce its commitment to expanding India’s factual storytelling landscape by showcasing original documentaries that amplify local voices, present filmmaking and showcase stories with the power to resonate far beyond the natural world.
