The 45‑minute feature is being produced by Hyderabad‑based Wildora Film and is co‑directed and co‑produced by veteran wildlife photographer Safique Hazarika and filmmaker Vinod K Reddy. The pair spent two‑and‑a‑half years trekking through the Eastern Himalaya’s mist‑shrouded slopes, often at 7,000 feet altitude, to capture the birds’ behaviour, enduring leeches, rain and long waits for key moments.

According to Hazarika, the project originated from a trip to the remote village of Latpanchar a few years ago, where he first encountered the striking rufous‑necked hornbills – a species he describes as “exotic, beautiful and unusual‑looking” and one that “partners for life.” The filmmakers decided that a film, rather than still photography, was needed to convey the birds’ full story and the local community’s relationship with them.

The documentary follows a pair of hornbills named Tara and Tenzing, documenting everything from nesting rituals to social interactions. Vinod Reddy says the film includes the first documented instance of a non‑biological male protecting and feeding a chick after it leaves the nest, a behavior that had not been captured on film before.

Beyond wildlife footage, the film showcases how hornbill‑focused eco‑tourism is reshaping the local economy. Many homes in Latpanchar have been converted into homestays, and villagers now earn income as guides and drivers, creating a direct financial incentive to protect the birds.

The narration is provided by actress and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza, whose voice was chosen to match the strong female character of the hornbill. A 10‑minute short and a trailer have already been released, building anticipation for the full release next February.

Hazarika and Reddy hope the film’s blend of intimate wildlife observation, scientific insight and local wisdom will inspire broader conservation sentiment. “Science often vanishes, but feeling stays,” Hazarika said, emphasizing the documentary’s aim to forge an emotional connection that encourages people to safeguard the species for generations.