festplanner.app Open in the app
Still from Neighbours of the Beast

Feature Documentaries · Filmmaker Q&A · Asia Premiere

Neighbours of the Beast

Directed by Sarthak Verma

Screening at DIFF 2026

Fri30 to Friday 30 Oct · PictureTime 1
Plan it in the app

Opens the free DIFF 2026 app. It checks for clashes and adds walking time between screens.

Runtime
98 min
Year
2026
Country
India
Language
Hindi
Subtitles
English
Premiere
Asia

Synopsis

Relentless poaching practices in the heartland stripped Panna’s Forest of their last tiger by 2006. Stricken by crushing guilt and the efforts of the inhabitants, a miracle was observed. Tigers were back. With the renewed guardianship of its human allies, the noble beasts once more prowl this lush land. Set in the aftermath of the country’s most successful tiger project, the narrator goes on a contemplative journey into the abstractions of this hidden realm. In deep conversations with the guileless natives, the forest reveals its eccentric truths.

Director

Sarthak Verma Sarthak VermaSarthak Verma began his career in the film industry as an Assistant Director, contributing to notable Netflix projects such as Season 2 of She (2022), Sukhee (2023) and Amar Singh Chamkila (2024). His directorial work focuses on non-fiction and grassroots storytelling, exploring regional cultural practices and…

Cast and crew

Producer
Sarthak Verma
Writer
Sarthak Verma
Cinematographer
Karan Salunkhe
Editor
Miyanka Sekhri
Sound
Dhiman Karmakar
Music
Samarth Chawla
Cast
Aakash Khangar, Swami Raikwar, Reshna Pardhi, Neelam Singh

Festivals and awards

  • Rhode Island International Film Festival 2026
  • DOC NYC 2026

On diff.co.inLetterboxdIMDb

More feature documentaries at DIFF 2026