This film is based on a true story with an honesty and thoroughness that will shake its audience to their core. The film’s disturbing subject matter had me thinking about how the world is not safe in many places. It is an experience that does not leave one with a feel-good vibe. To Kill a Tiger is a documentary that speaks to the heart and the truth of its actual events. A film where society in another country is not as structured as other countries or regions.

To Kill a Tiger focuses on a man named Ranjit, a father living in India who works as a farmer. His daughter, Kira has been sexually assaulted by three men. In a country where norms are blurred, Ranjit decides to take a stand. The documentary centers on his fight for justice for his daughter and at its heart involves the individuals, the descriptions, the political factors, and the outcomes. For Ranjit, this case does not get taken as seriously as it should. The rules are different in India, and the criminal laws do not go to the extent that they should to punish the crimes. That is why Ranjit fights for his daughter. He cannot let go of knowing that his daughter must live her whole life feeling traumatized after being assaulted.

To Kill a Tiger portrays the frustrations of dealing with the different foundations of the legal systems in India and heightens the anxiety and exasperation that play into the emotions the audience will feel with the film. When talking with activists, attorneys, and government officials (all who are real-life individuals) they all have been trained within the context of how the legal system works in India. The fact that high punishments are not delivered for such an unforgivable crime is commonplace and an affront to Ranjit and his daughter.

The truth of poverty is displayed throughout To Kill a Tiger. Ranjit details on how making ends meet to provide for his family takes a halt, as he needs to have the money to help his daughter. His daughter’s mental health and ability to have a future is extremely important to him. The importance of family and safety and willingness to do what needs to be done no matter what it takes is at the core of this film. There are so many obstacles that must be overcome for resolution in this case.

The faithfulness of a society is an approach that is hard to accept in this film. It is relentless—there are frequent excuses to try to cover the tracks of the perpetrators who were part of the assault.Ranjit is the only one taking the stand. He is the only one making the sacrifice. To Kill a Tiger boils with a father’s anger and sadness—his daughter is his life. He will not stop until he knows the ones who assaulted his daughter are going to pay for what they did.

I will say that this is one of the most harrowing and spellbinding documentaries I have seen. Realism and perception do not get any clearer than in To Kill a Tiger. There are hidden truths to the puzzle. The life of poverty and poor politics is a life that Ranjit has endured but does not want the norms of this society to prevent his daughter from have justice served. He goes deep by finding attorneys, learning the moving parts of the legal system, and what aspects of the courts that might side with his daughter.There is no clear direction as to why the laws are so misconstrued, but the frustration portrayed through the eyes of Ranjit and the case itself puts the exposes many aspects of a corrupt legal system.

This is an experience where I felt the reality of the circumstances as Ranjit awakens to all that he must battle against to find justice. With the film being a true story, I felt the pain he goes through for his daughter. To Kill a Tiger is a journey that is gut-wrenching and makes viewers pray for the truth to unfold. There is no clear way to define if this movie was a good or bad experience. It is simply an awakening to some hard truths. It made me think of how far people go to fight for those that matter to them as Ranjit fights for his daughter. The paths of justice find their way to be served. It just is in a setting of uncharted territory where it is hard to cross the lines. Three out of four stars.