BAAGH Tiger -The inside story by Abhishek Ray is a powerful wildlife crime thriller with a deep conservation message
Mumbai: Renowned Bollywood composer-singer & filmmaker Abhishek Ray has just released his novel – BAAGH Tiger-The Inside Story on all platforms.
BAAGH is the unique love story of a Bavaria tribesman Jaggu and his childhood love Janhvi set against the sinister backdrop of tiger poaching.
Google books describe this racy action adventure novel as “Baagh is the real Jungle Book of today!. Enter the deep, dark world of wildlife trafficking – the third largest illicit trade in the world." “The book travels from the dusty Deccan to emerald Sal forests, from frantic car chases in the by-lanes of Kathmandu to Yak caravans across the snowy Himalayan passes of the Tibetan plateau tracking the body parts of a poached tigress.
The jungle book of today has different contours owing to social stressors. More tigers amidst people and poverty bring in more challenges! Abhishek, a keen naturalist, has captured it all." writes the tiger man of India, Dr. Rajesh Gopal (Secretary General, Global Tiger Forum) in the preface.
Amazon books describes the novel as, “An erstwhile poacher turns against his clan, avenges his past and becomes a true champion of the wild." The celebrated actor Jackie Shroff has commented on Baagh saying , “Real & raw — This book is not just a novel; it’s a clarion call for conservation, woven into a thrilling narrative that will leave readers spellbound." Apart from being an ace film composer known for the music for iconic films like Paan Singh Tomar, I am Kalam, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster, Welcome Back etc., Abhishek Ray is famed for being the first ever artist to have invested all his life’s savings in rewilding an entire barren hill and converting it into a wildlife haven – the celebrated Sitabani Wildlife Reserve.
“As a renowned composer-singer and government bonafide tiger tracker, Abhishek brings authenticity and depth to this gripping wildlife crime thriller." observes Shroff. Just like the author, the protagonist in his book, Jaggu is a tiger tracker and can read the forest like a scripture. He hails from the lineage of the notorious Bavaria poachers of central India, a man torn between his gory ancestral profession and his inate love for the forest and it’s animals.
The legendary Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam writes in the foreward, “Abhishek’s passion for wildlife, and his incredible knowledge of the flora and fauna, especially of India, is very heartening and endearing. Be prepared for a vivid, detailed and dramatic trek of thrilling storytelling, drenched in the rain of sheer truth of his own experiences and fact findings." The director general of IBCA, S.P. Yadav is completely taken by Abhishek’s novel. He mentions, “A Bavaria tiger poacher, Jaggu’s inward journey has a deep spiritual message for humanity. His U – turn is reflective of our collective choice. Should we keep on destroying nature in the name of development – or become it’s protector. There isn’t much time left.” Iconic singer Shaan writes, “The story is gripping and inspiring with researched facts and truths. The way Abhishek describes of pain and despair of a mother tigress is so real, so alive.” Bringing his music, filmmaking and conservation efforts together to save big cats, Abhishek Ray has recently filmed, sung and composed the IBCA (International Big Cat Alliance) anthem for UNDP & GOI. as well as India’s National Cheetah Anthem for NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority).
G.S.Bharadwaj, ADG Project Tiger and Member Secretary, NTCA fondly recollects, “I still remember the water hole count during a full moon night at Thumka Chowki when I first met Abhishek almost two decades back deep in the core zone of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Prior to the advent of Camera traps and scientific estimation of wildlife, Abhishek opted to sit for the entire night near a water hole to record and count whatever wild animals came to the water hole to drink water. May this riveting book ignite a spark for conservation in our coming generations." The veteran Bollywood voice Kavita Krishnamurthi writes, “Abhishek’s cinematic approach to language, capturing the beauty and the drama of the environment , frame by frame, has left me quite speechless." Abhishek Ray has been awarded with Swabhiman Bharat & the prestigious Amazing Indian award by the Vice President of India along with a letter of appreciation by PM Modi for creating Sitabani Wildlife Reserve. He also won the acclaimed Forbes -We Serve India awards 2025 for his path breaking work in wildlife conservation.
The inspiration to write this original novel came from an unnamed wild tigress who trusted him and chose to give birth and rear her cubs in and around his rewilded hill at Sitabani Wildlife Reserve.
BAAGH is available on Amazon, Google Play and other leading platforms.
Link : https://amzn.in/d/8DlYjE9 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Business