Show notes
In this deeply enriching episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we delve into the transformative journey of Trishala Ashok—an award-winning jewelry designer turned conservation filmmaker and founder of True Story Media Productions LLP. Through an inspiring and heartfelt conversation, Trishala takes us on a voyage that beautifully bridges creativity and science, forging a path that is not just about capturing wildlife through the lens, but about safeguarding it through purpose-driven narratives. From the forests of Karnataka to the banks of the Girwa River and the unseen corridors of airport security, Trishala’s commitment to ecological filmmaking has established her as a pioneer in the realm of biodiversity conservation.Her story begins in the world of shimmering gemstones and 3D-printed designs, but a fateful encounter with a tiger in Jim Corbett National Park changed everything. That single moment stirred something within—a deep calling that led her away from the glittering world of fashion to the raw, untamed wilderness of India’s biodiversity hotspots. What followed was a courageous decision to abandon a successful business in jewelry design, and leap into the unknown world of conservation without a roadmap—armed only with passion, empathy, and an unwavering desire to make a difference.In this episode, Trishala opens up about her early experiences with wildlife rescue in Bangalore, where she worked with monkeys, black kites, lorises, and snakes. She shares riveting accounts of her collaborations with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and Karnataka Forest Department, tackling wildlife trade and urban wildlife rescues. These foundational years, filled with on-ground exposure and grassroots outreach, eventually gave rise to the storyteller in her—a voice determined to counter deep-rooted misconceptions about wildlife, particularly snakes, through the power of conservation filmmaking.Trishala’s first film, DEFANG, born out of a need to debunk snake-related myths like the existence of the mythical "nagamani," marked her official entry into wildlife documentary filmmaking. Created in partnership with the Karnataka Forest Department and Kalinga Center for Rainforest Ecology, DEFANG not only garnered support from the highest forest authority but also signaled the beginning of her journey into biodiversity filmmaking. It’s not just the subject matter that makes this documentary unique—it’s the impact-driven storytelling that weaves science with empathy and curiosity with community action.From there, Trishala’s work continued to evolve. One of her most notable contributions is a public service announcement featuring Gauri Shankar, a renowned herpetologist, and a young boy from a rural village. This short film reached thousands across Karnataka and successfully altered local perceptions about snakes—encouraging empathy, curiosity, and coexistence. In a moving anecdote, Trishala recalls returning to the village a year later to find local children guarding a burrow of snake eggs, a testament to the behavioral shift her work helped inspire. This moment solidified her belief that wildlife filmmaking can do more than just document nature—it can mobilize communities, change narratives, and ultimately protect species.Trishala’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that storytelling should not end with the credits; instead, it should catalyze action. This belief inspired her to found True Story Media Productions LLP, a media platform focused not only on nature documentaries and sustainable filmmaking, but also on social change. At True Story, storytelling transcends screen time, extending into conservation outreach campaigns, policy change, and educational efforts. Whether working with schoolchildren or policy-makers, the mission remains the same: inspire action through compelling narratives grounded in truth.One of True Story’s recent standout projects is Girwa ke Gharial, a short film blending fiction with conservation messaging to spotlight the critically endangered gharial in Uttar Pradesh. Featuring local children and forest officers as actors, the film connects audiences with the riverine ecosystem in a relatable and accessible way. Through engaging storytelling and community inclusion, the project helped redefine public attitudes toward gharials—prompting viewers to see them not as obscure reptiles, but as proud icons of their region’s natural heritage.But Trishala's commitment to conservation extends beyond rivers and forests. In a groundbreaking new project titled Hidden Routes: Detecting Wildlife Crime Through Airports, she explores a darker, lesser-known side of conservation: wildlife trafficking. With a focus on training customs officers to detect illegal wildlife trade, this non-public film represents a pioneering step in biodiversity management. Drawing from nearly a decade of work with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and other enforcement agencies, Trishala’s investigative lens now serves as a vital tool in safeguarding endangered species from organized crime syndicates.Another fascinating initiative she shares is an upcoming wildlife documentary on marine mammal strandings along the Indian coast. This film, made in collaboration with marine mammalogist Dipani Sutaria, is designed to educate coastal communities and fisheries departments in both Malayalam and English. By providing clear, culturally grounded guidance on how to handle strandings, the project exemplifies Trishala’s unique approach to sustainable filmmaking: hyper-local, inclusive, and rooted in both science and storytelling.Also in the pipeline is a passion project centered on the enigmatic Indian chameleon. After three years of research and development, Trishala is finally moving into production on this highly anticipated 4K video that will highlight the ecological significance and conservation needs of this visually stunning yet vulnerable reptile. Through this project, she hopes to draw attention to a species that often goes unnoticed in mainstream conservation conversations.Throughout the episode, Trishala also reflects on the challenges and joys of being a female filmmaker in a niche, often under-resourced field. She talks about the technical hurdles of filming in remote locations, the difficulties of acquiring permits, and the unpredictable nature of shooting in the wild. Despite these challenges, she maintains that filmmaking—when done with integrity, vision, and community collaboration—can drive real-world impact.For aspiring filmmakers, she offers invaluable advice. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your gear inside out, even when projects are few and far between. She encourages budding storytellers to explore all aspects of ecological filmmaking, from scriptwriting to editing, directing to producing. By honing a broad range of technical and narrative skills, young filmmakers can build sustainable careers that both support and advocate for the planet.What sets Trishala apart is her refusal to compromise on emotional truth, even when facing logistical hurdles or skepticism from peers. In a moment of doubt during the production of Girwa ke Gharial, mentors advised her to simplify the project. But she stuck to her creative instincts, refusing to dilute the story for convenience. That leap of faith paid off when the film deeply resonated with its target audience—young children and local villagers who had never before seen their culture and environment reflected so vividly on screen.One particularly heartwarming story she shares is from her time volunteering with the Kalinga Center for Rainforest Ecology. While accompanying a film crew to document a king cobra, she spent days engaging with a family who initially wanted the snake removed. By the end of the week, their fear turned to fascination. One villager even suggested leaving curd rice at the snake’s burrow, a traditional Indian gesture of care. This moment, rich in cultural nuance and personal transformation, exemplifies the kind of impact conservation filmmaking can have when it’s rooted in empathy and respect.From addressing climate change to amplifying underrepresented voices in conservation, Trishala’s work embodies a powerful synergy between media, science, and community. Her films are not just stories—they are instruments of change. With each frame, she invites us to see the world not only as it is but as it could be: interconnected, thriving, and deeply worth protecting.So whether you're a student of environmental science, an aspiring wildlife photographer, or simply a lover of stories that matter, this episode is for you. Join us in this immersive conversation with Trishala Ashok as we explore the evolving landscape of biodiversity conservation through the lens of one of India’s most passionate and visionary storytellers.#conservationfilmmaking #conservation #wildlifephotography #wildlifefilmmaking #filmmaking #femalefilmmaker #naturedocumentary #wildlifedocumentary #biodiversity #sustainablefilmmaking #biodiversityhotspots #conservationoutreach #biodiversityfilmmaking #4kvideo #ecologicalfilmmaking #climatechange #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagementMeet the HostAnish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlifeThink Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/Meet the GuestsTrishala Ashok: https://trishalaashok.com/Recommended Wildlife Conservation BooksWildlife Conservation in India by HS Pabla: https://amzn.to/3Ypx9ZhIndian Mammals: A Field Guide by Vivek Menon: https://amzn.to/4fhMiCLAt the Feet of Living Things by Aparajita Datta: https://amzn.to/3BZmtsN Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe