In a groundbreaking revelation, the upcoming documentary ‘Water Mafia’ exposes the illicit water trade rampant across Indian cities, released on DocuBay, an international documentary streaming service by IN10 Media Network.

The film delves into the dark underbelly of the black market for water, shedding light on a crisis deliberately engineered.

In an exclusive interview with DocuBay’s COO, Girish Dwibhashyam, and Anil Chaudhary, Director of VICE India, the duo discussed the inspiration behind the documentary and the challenges faced during its production, IANS reported.

Girish Dwibhashyam highlighted water as a fundamental human need and emphasized the substantial yet often overlooked problem of a black market for water in India. The artificial scarcity created in many regions by illegal tanker operators became a focal point for their original documentary slate.

Anil Chaudhary, discussing the research process, mentioned an experienced team of investigative journalists using primary and secondary resources, including contacts within the water department, mafia affiliates, and activists. The team observed the mafia’s methods, structure, and impact on victims by visiting heavily affected housing settlements.

When questioned about challenges faced during production, Girish Dwibhashyam acknowledged the difficulty in securing access to genuine mafia members willing to confess on camera. The team’s success in overcoming these hurdles marked a significant achievement.

Anil Chaudhary highlighted the dangers associated with the water mafia, with media coverage perceived as a threat due to the operation’s massive scale. Ensuring the safety of subjects and crew remained a constant concern, given the disorganized yet dangerous nature of the water mafia.

Revelations during the documentary’s production included the staggering scale of the operation, collaboration between bureaucrats and politicians, daily struggles of city dwellers for water access, and potential global water conflicts linked to climate change-related crises.

Both Girish Dwibhashyam and Anil Chaudhary expressed hopes that viewers would recognize the impact of vested interests on precious resources like water, portraying the suffering of millions due to water scarcity and alerting audiences to the looming climate crisis’s potential consequences.

The ‘Water Mafia’ documentary stands as a compelling call to action, aiming to raise awareness about the operations of water mafias, the economics driving artificial scarcity, and the profound impact on society’s survival.