Aishwarya Sridhar is a wildlife photographer, presenter, and documentary filmmaker. She is the youngest recipient of the Sanctuary Asia Young Naturalist Award and the International Camera Fair and won the Princess Diana Award in 2019. In 2020, she became the first Indian woman to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award from the Natural History Museum in London. In 2021, she produced the National Geographic documentary ‘Tiger Queen of Taru,’ which focuses on Maya, a surviving Bengal tigress in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Aishwarya spoke about challenges being a female photographer, her journey and much more.
Can you tell us about your journey into wildlife photography and filmmaking?
My wildlife journey began in childhood, growing up in the lush surroundings of Panvel near Mumbai. Wildlife was literally in my backyard—fireflies, wild boars, and peafowls surrounded me. My father, a member of the Bombay Natural History Society, often took me on wildlife adventures, fueling my passion for nature.
In middle school, I learned about climate change while witnessing the devastation of my beloved landscape. The wetland of Uran, once a paradise for flamingos and migratory birds, was transformed into a concrete zone. Meanwhile, Panvel's forests were replaced by highways, and mangroves were cleared for industries. This alarming change ignited my desire to take action; I didn’t want to live in a world that undervalued wildlife and neglected nature.
My parents introduced me to wildlife documentaries featuring Sir David Attenborough, whose stories about Komodo dragons inspired me. Watching him captivate audiences made me realise I could do the same, even as a child in India. For my 11th birthday, I persuaded my dad to buy me a point-and-shoot camera, marking the start of my photography journey. Unlike many, I didn’t start with a love for photography; my passion for wildlife drove me to pick up the camera to tell stories of the wild and inspire conservation.
Wildlife photography is often male-dominated. Have you faced any challenges as a female photographer in this field, and how have you overcome them?
I believe there’s no inherent difference in physicality between men and women regarding picking up a camera and shooting outdoors. The only real challenge I face is during my menstrual cycle, which can make certain shoots more difficult. I’ve learned to navigate this by planning my travel to avoid conflicts with my period.
Being a woman in this industry presents challenges. I've encountered condescension, with some believing they need to explain everything to me, and faced resistance from those who struggle to accept direction from a female filmmaker. For example, a drone operator was upset when I questioned his work and rates, feeling entitled to voice my opinions. Ultimately, I decided to cancel the shoot and work with someone else.
I've definitely faced sexism and discrimination, with some men believing that women should only manage household duties. I've also noticed discrepancies in access granted to male photographers compared to female ones. Yet, I firmly believe that if my work is of high quality, it will speak for itself, regardless of gender. In photography, there should be no boundaries—gender, caste, or religion should not create barriers. Ultimately, talent and passion should be what matter most.
What are some of your most memorable or significant wildlife encounters, either in front of the camera or during filmmaking?
I feel safest in nature, where danger often lies more among humans in cities than in the wilderness. Two unforgettable experiences illustrate this.
The first was in the summer of 2016, when I followed Tigress Maya at a waterhole. After hours of waiting, I watched in awe as Maya chased a barking deer, leading to her cubs emerging from the bushes to take it down. Witnessing a mother tigress training her cubs to hunt was a breathtaking moment.
Another memorable experience was while filming a documentary on Asiatic lions, where we followed a lioness named Noor. After giving birth in solitude, she was ready to introduce her cub to the pride. One morning, I saw her coming down a hill with something in her mouth. At first, I thought it was prey, but then I realised it was her cub! The tenderness with which she carried it moved me to tears, showcasing the deep emotional bonds within these majestic animals.
If you could photograph or film any wildlife species or environment that you haven’t yet, what would it be and why?
There’s so much I want to explore, particularly our oceans and marine wildlife, which is incredibly diverse. For instance, the Galapagos Islands fascinate me. I also dream of visiting the Arctic and Antarctic to film polar bears.
In India, the wildlife spectrum is vast, as my dad often reminds me—there's so much to discover that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to cover it all. From the Himalayas to oceans, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, and rainforests, India boasts a remarkable range of habitats. I’m especially eager to see tigers in the Sundarbans and delve into the macro world of amphibians in the Western Ghats.
How do you hope your work will inspire future generations of nature lovers and conservationists?
I see my filmmaking as two main streams. The first is traditional blue-chip natural history storytelling, showcasing the stunning beauty of wildlife and their behaviours to inspire love and appreciation for our environment. The second stream focuses on impactful documentaries addressing urgent environmental issues like wildlife trafficking and human-animal conflict. These films aim to mobilise support from all sectors—corporates, government leaders, and the general public—to tackle these crises. Ultimately, my work seeks to reveal the secrets of wildlife, evoke emotions that inspire action, and highlight that while challenges exist, there’s still hope and much to preserve. Here’s how we can make a difference together.
What are some of the upcoming projects you’re most excited about?
I'm currently working on two documentaries. The first is an exciting Big Cat film set for release next year. We’ve employed cutting-edge technology, and my team is deep into post-production.
The second project is an investigative documentary funded by the National Geographic Society, which follows the trade pipeline of the Indian star tortoise, the world's most trafficked tortoise. My team and I have risked our lives to go undercover in the black markets of Mumbai and Southeast Asia. Many people unknowingly keep these tortoises as exotic pets, believing they bring prosperity, but this practice endangers both the species and their owners, as wild reptiles can carry diseases.
