Toronto-based Nisha Pahuja hopes ‘To Kill a Tiger’ Oscar nod is a step toward change

Filmmaker Nisha Pahuja says she’s hopeful that landing an Oscar nod for her documentary “To Kill a Tiger” will be a small step in a greater movement of justice for sexual assault survivors.

The Toronto-based director earned a best documentary feature nomination for the National Film Board of Canada co-production, which tells the story of one father’s push for accountability after his 13-year-old daughter is brutally raped at a wedding in India.

Pahuja says she believes her film can have an “extraordinary impact” on encouraging other survivors to seek justice, and for men to stand by the women and daughters in their lives.

And while she recognizes the subject matter will be difficult for many viewers, she believes once they’re into the story, they’ll find it’s “a really powerful film about love.”

The 56-year-old filmmaker was born in New Delhi and her family moved to Toronto when she was four.

“To Kill a Tiger” is available to stream for free at nfb.ca and via the NFB app, which is available on smart TVs and mobile devices.

The 96th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, are set to air March 10 on ABC and CTV.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2024.

David Friend, The Canadian Press