This Roundglass Sustain documentary by Bahar Dutt and Vijay Bedi brings to light the hidden world of a critically endangered turtle and the determined conservationist fighting to save it.
National, May 8, 2025: Saving the Bhimanama: Ayushi Jain and a Giant Turtle, a short documentary produced by Roundglass Sustain, has won the Best Documentary – Jury Award at the 15th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival.
Directed by renowned environmental journalist Bahar Dutt and acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Vijay Bedi, the film highlights the inspiring work of wildlife biologist Ayushi Jain, who is on a mission to conserve the Cantor’s giant softshell turtle — one of the world’s largest and rarest freshwater turtles.
Weighing up to 100 kilograms and critically endangered, the Cantor’s giant softshell turtle is extremely elusive, with only a few hundred believed to be surviving in the wild. Jain’s conservation efforts in Kasargod, Kerala focus on documenting the species and protecting their nesting grounds, known locally as the habitat of Bhimanama. Her approach involves deep engagement with local fishing communities, making the initiative as inclusive as it is urgent.
“Dams and sand mining pose immediate threats to this turtle’s sandy nesting banks,” said Ayushi Jain. “If we are to protect this ancient species, we must address these threats now—and that requires additional resources.”
Saving the Bhimanama… marks only the second instance globally of wild documentation of the species’ hatching process — the first having been recorded in Cambodia. In a dramatic sequence, the film captures Jain and Dutt racing against time to reach a nesting site, ultimately witnessing the delicate moment when hatchlings emerge and are later released into the river, surrounded by local community members and forest officials.
Expressing her excitement over the award, Bahar Dutt shared, “This recognition is a huge milestone for our team. I was deeply moved by the scale at which Ayushi mobilized both the local community and the forest department to protect this little-known species. We’re thankful to Roundglass Sustain for bringing this story to light.”
Neha Dara, Head of Roundglass Sustain, added, “We’re honored to receive this prestigious award and are grateful to the jury for recognizing the film. Ayushi’s story exemplifies our mission to spotlight India’s lesser-known wildlife through powerful storytelling. We hope the film raises awareness and builds public support for the conservation of this rare reptile.”
Previously, Saving the Bhimanama also won Silver in the Video Spot News/Feature Reporting category at the 2023 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards. The film is available to watch on Roundglass Sustain’s YouTube channel.
