Taira Malaney’s full-length debut documentary sparks conversation about environmental impact and the resilience of those that protect our precious Olive Ridley turtles
VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN
NT BUZZ
Independent Goa-based filmmaker Taira Malaney wears many hats. She writes, directs and produces her own work, and is the founder of Emaho Films, a Goa-based production company dedicated to non-fiction storytelling rooted in impact. “We think of our work as impact campaigns, where the emotion of a film is used to empower storytelling, create awareness around social or environmental issues, and give people the option to act if they choose to,” she says.
While Malaney has previously made short films, ‘Turtle Walker’ marks her first feature-length documentary. It is the culmination of years of personal reflection, field experience and a deep curiosity about what drives people to care for the natural world. Her background in developmental psychology has also shaped her approach.
Backed by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, ‘Turtle Walker’ premiered at DOC NYC and has since travelled extensively, screening at the Raindance Film Festival, the Hamptons International Film Festival and the United Nations Ocean Conference.
The documentary follows the life and work of Satish Bhaskar, a pioneering Indian sea turtle conservationist. In the late 1970s, Bhaskar undertook a solitary journey along India’s coastline, living on remote islands and beaches to document sea turtle nesting sites at a time when little was known about
the species.
Malaney first encountered Bhaskar’s story through an article written by herpetologist Romulus Earl Whitaker. “I had just returned from spending several months in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where much of the story takes place,” she recalls. “I was working with a marine conservation organisation that taught local children about the ocean and marine life. What struck me was that many of these children had never actually been in the sea or seen the coral ecosystems right at
their doorstep.”
That disconnect stayed with her. “India has such a long coastline, and yet there is a lack of connection and a sense of wonder surrounding the ocean,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to make a film that could reconnect people with the underwater world.”
After reading Whitaker’s article, Malaney was struck by how real and raw it all was. “This was a man who marooned himself on remote islands and lived alone with sea turtles. I couldn’t understand how someone could make that decision, and that’s when I knew this story had the power to become a film that could reignite people’s sense of wonder about the ocean.”
Filming ‘Turtle Walker’ brought its own challenges and moments of awe. One sequence that stayed with Malaney took place at a protected beach in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where Olive Ridley turtles nest. “We were filming a female turtle that spent nearly nine hours digging nests and abandoning them,” she says. “Witnessing the sheer labour these animals go through just to lay their eggs gave me a whole new level of respect for them.”
The following night offered another unforgettable experience. “The beach lit up with bioluminescence as the turtles moved across the sand,” she says. “These are moments that are almost impossible to translate on screen, but they stay with you forever.”
Logistically, the production was demanding. Many locations were accessible only after days of travel by road and boat. “We had to plan everything in detail,” says Malaney. “Charging equipment without disturbing the environment, keeping the crew safe and comfortable, and having contingency plans in places with no network coverage were constant challenges.”
Securing permits was another hurdle. “Most turtle sanctuaries are highly protected, and the process can be long and unpredictable,” she says. Support from a research NGO proved crucial, not only in clearing permits but also in guiding the team on how to film responsibly.
At its heart, says Malaney, ‘Turtle Walker’ is a story about resilience. “You see it in both Satish and the turtles,” she says, adding that Bhaskar’s impact is undeniable. “He walked over 4,000 kilometres on foot, surveying nearly two-thirds of India’s coastline to document turtle nesting sites and influence conservation policy. If there is any sea turtle research in India today, it all traces back to Satish,” she says. “He inspired generations of turtle walkers to carry the work forward.”
For Malaney, the film is both a tribute and a call to reconnect. “Through this film, I hope people rediscover empathy, curiosity and a sense of responsibility towards the lives we share this planet with,” she says. “We want audiences to feel hope. If such a tiny species can overcome immense challenges in unforgiving habitats, there is something powerful to take away from that.”
(The film will be screened on January 15, 6.30 p.m. at Maquinez Palace, Panaji.)
