Documentary
Dive into ‘The Last Secrets of Humankind’ in Ancient Asia
Mumbai: Dive into the mysteries of prehistoric Asia with ‘The Last Secrets of Humankind’, which premieres on discovery+ and airing Mondays on Discovery Channel on 24 June 2024. This docu-drama offers a rare and insightful glimpse into the Asian jungle and the relationship of human ancestors with nature. The 90-minute, two-part docu-drama is set to captivate Indian audiences with Hindi narration by renowned actor Nawazuddin Siddique and Tamil narration in the invigorating voice of popular actor Ashok Selvan.
Expressing his excitement, Nawazuddin Siddique, remarked, ‘Narrating ‘The Last Secrets of Humankind’ has been a deeply enriching experience, delving into the depths of Asia’s ancient origins and bringing this story to life through my narration. It was an incredible opportunity to highlight the latest scientific discoveries in Asian prehistory, still unknown to the wider public, and to unravel the extraordinary tapestry of this era, revealing secrets that redefine our understanding of human history.”
A Franco-Chinese co-production supported by UNESCO, the show highlights spectacular scientific discoveries from nearly 800,000 years ago. Directed by Jacques Malaterre, renowned for the acclaimed A Species Odyssey, and featuring the final work of esteemed paleontologist Yves Coppens, this docu-drama recreates the Zhoukoudian fauna using state-of-the-art CGI and 3D production.
Ashok Selvan added, “I am excited about my role in ‘The Last Secrets of Humankind,’ a project that delves into the captivating history of our ancestors. It’s incredibly rewarding to see this docuseries reach Tamil-speaking audiences through its translation. Narrating this journey in Tamil has been a truly enriching experience for me, and I’m honored to play a part in bringing this fascinating story to life.
Shot by an all-Chinese crew, this series unearths stories from East Asia based on the latest scientific discoveries with dramatized recreations.
Don’t miss the premiere of “The Last Secrets of Humankind” as discovery+ and Discovery Channel takes you on a captivating journey through ancient history on 24 June 2024.
MUMBAI: From Ranthambore with roar. This World Tiger Day, BBC Player is sinking its claws into the untamed heart of India with Legendary Tigers of India, a gripping documentary that prowls onto screens this Independence Day, 15 August . Narrated by the late, legendary conservationist Valmik Thapar, the film is more than just stripes and stares. It’s a moving chronicle of survival, strength, and the shifting story of India’s national animal. Thapar, one of the world’s foremost tiger experts, spent a full monsoon-to-monsoon year tracking a new generation of Bengal tigers deep within Ranthambore, one of India’s most iconic tiger reserves.
With intimate access and five decades of experience behind the lens and in the wild, Thapar offers rare glimpses of tigers not just as apex predators, but as emotionally complex, intuitive creatures navigating shrinking habitats and growing human presence.
The film roars to life from Thapar’s own jungle home at the forest’s edge, blending dramatic visuals with a deeply personal narrative. From mother cub dynamics to solitary alpha males, the documentary captures the instinctual ballet of survival, mating, territoriality and raw jungle drama woven through the lens of ecological urgency and reverence.
Premiering exclusively on BBC Player in India via Tata Play Binge and Prime Video (add-on subscription required), this special release is BBC’s tribute to India’s tiger legacy. With India currently home to more than 70 per cent of the world’s wild tigers 3,682, as per the 2023 census the documentary feels both timely and timeless.
In an age of noisy content, Legendary Tigers of India invites audiences to pause, listen, and marvel. Not just at the majesty of the tiger, but at a conservation journey that began with 1,411 tigers in 2006 and roared back in triumph. This isn’t just a documentary. It’s a call to protect what still prowls.
