The idyllic landscape of Vaghachipani conceals a fallen world under the sway of the tiger god. The secular lord of this domain, however, is Prabhu, a ruthless businessman trying to win a local election with the help of his faithful right-hand man, an immigrant known as Malabari. When Basu, a politically savvy, outcast worker, stands up to their intimidation tactics and ill-earned authority, the strict hierarchy and the feudal order of Prabhu’s dominion threatens to come undone. Deepening the inquiry of his acclaimed debut feature<em class="tit2"> Pedro</em> (2021), Natesh Hegde offers a sharp, simmering crime drama exploring the nefarious confluence of faith, caste and political power in Southern India. Set in a hermetic village ruled by fear and tradition, Hegde’s film is a game of tigers and cows, a tale of structured oppression and spontaneous resistance around the figure of the mute maid, Pathi. The spectral camera drifts through this netherworld, registering its rocky terrain, its murky goings-on and its unforgettable faces in rapturous 16mm images. As it unmasks the brutality beneath the serene beauty of the village, the still waters of <em class="tit1">Tiger's Pond</em> begin to reveal their treacherous depths.