EntertainmentPosted at: Jun 13 2025 4:34PM


Chandra Mouli Mallampalli’s award-winning documentary ‘Searching for Choti’ unearths captivating untold stories

By Anand Venkitachalam
New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) Filmmaker and wildlife researcher Chandra Mouli Mallampalli left no stone unturned in his quest for finding the exotic fishing cat species, as seen in his latest documentary feature ‘Searching for Choti’.
The feature, which won the award for Best Short Film on Nature and Wildlife at the International Motion Picture Awards in Canada, detailed his journey in finding the exotic species.
Based on a local fishing cat in the Chilika Lake in Odisha, the documentary tells the story of Choti, one of the local fishing cats in the region who was rescued by one of the villagers after an injury to her leg.
Having vanished for a year and presumed dead, it was instead discovered that not only was she alive but had a litter of three kittens with her.
Speaking to UNI, director Mallampalli went back to the beginning of his journey in discovering and researching wildlife, and said, “It still feels surreal. I grew up watching National Geographic and Discovery. If you ask my mum, she’ll confirm I was glued to those channels more than anything. But once I stepped into the field, I realised how many powerful stories were unfolding right around us, often unnoticed.”
The fishing cat, which first allured him in his childhood during visits to his grandparents’ home, soon turned into an entrancing mystery, one which had to be uncovered.
“Everyone talks about tigers and elephants, but the fishing cat? It lives in wetlands, hunts in water, and most people don’t even know it exists," said the 28 year old director.
Upon finding out that the wetlands were disappearing, he called his search more than just a passion project, and rather a symbolic search for the small things which should not be forgotten.
Describing the feeling of finally finding one after years of looking, he said, “Seeing Choti and her cubs on our infrared cameras was incredibly moving. It didn’t feel like a ‘win’, it felt like being let in on a secret. You spend nights waiting, cameras rolling, and then one day, there they are, just living their lives.
“It reminded me why this kind of filmmaking matters. That moment didn’t just deepen my connection with the species; it also reinforced how critical on-ground conservation work is. I continue to focus on stories like these, about species that aren’t always in the spotlight, but whose stories are just as urgent.”
‘Searching for Choti’ was Mallampalli’s graduation from the National Film and Television School, and was made possible with the help of ecologists such as Tiasa Adhya and Partha Dey. Also thanking his editors, camera people, and composers, he said that despite limited resources, “every challenge forced us to innovate, but that also made the process deeply collaborative and rooted in purpose.”
His time working with groups like National Geographic and the BBC was imperative in shaping his approach and perspective in covering animals.
Describing his work with organisations like Felis Creations from Nat Geo, and filmmakers such as Sandesh Kadur and John Aitchison, he said, “These experiences showed me that good wildlife filmmaking isn’t about spectacle, it’s about access, trust, and patience.”
Detailing the importance of field work in truly understanding wildlife, he said, “Being part of small field teams and spending weeks in remote areas helped me understand how much rigour and care goes into every shot. That foundation has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach each new story.”
Drawn to stories sitting on the intersection of humans and wildlife, Mallampalli said speaking of his next project ‘Mandala’, “(It) is a feature documentary that explores human-snake conflict and snakebite mortality in India.”
The film, directed by Giridhar Nayak and led by two emergency doctors and co-directors Dr. Vrinda and Dr. Freston, “uses a One Health lens to connect public health, traditional knowledge, and ecological balance. These stories are urgent, and they continue to expand how I look at conservation.”
While having also considered expressing his passion for wildlife through a cinematic lens, documentaries are where his ‘heart’ is, stating that when “done right, they are as powerful as any cinema”. Nonetheless, he said, “I’m developing stories that translate conservation themes into fiction. There’s huge potential in cinematic storytelling to reach people who may not watch documentaries.” UNI ANV SSP
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