Mrudul spoke passionately about ‘A Call in the Rainforest’, a documentary on Lion-tailed macaques — the rightful owners of the forest, now portrayed as thieves in their own home.
Mrudul was part of the production team that brought this masterpiece to life — a film that went on to travel the world: Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, New York; Haida Gwaii Film Festival, Canada; Wildlife Vaasa Festival, Finland… and many more.
We invited her to speak about her documentary at our all-staff meeting. Mrudul, the shy one, hesitated — but when she began, the room stilled. Her words, her conviction, her eyes reflecting the forest’s call for help… she spoke like someone who belonged to that world.
Mrudul was a wildlife photographer, an animal activist, and a storyteller of the voiceless.
She worked on projects like Jewels of Thane Creek 🦩, Wild Gujarat: Discovering Rann 🏜️, and Leopards: The Last Stand 🐆.
But that wasn’t how her journey began.
Mrudul once dreamt of flying — she trained to be a commercial pilot. But corrupt practices kept her grounded. Heartbroken yet resilient, she turned to computers, studied Computer Science, and joined us as a Business Analyst.
We became very close. She was like my daughter. Whenever she found time, she would tell me about her wildlife projects — her voice carrying that unmistakable blend of pain and passion.
After I retired and moved to Pune, I missed her terribly. And then one day, the news came — a young, bright life snatched away too soon.
Dear Mrudul, I still have your last WhatsApp message — 15 August 2022 — where you wrote to me about your latest film Corona Warriors, and another about Leopards: The Last Stand, that you left unfinished.
The forests remember you, Mrudul.
Every rustle in the leaves, every cry in the canopy — it’s you, still calling in the rainforest. 🌳
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It’s so painful to write about those who leave us — taking a piece of our hearts, yet leaving behind such beautiful memories.
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