Transforming Indian Filmmaking: Impact of Visual Effects

Authored by Merzin Tavaria, President, Global Production and Operations, DNEG.

VFX & Animation technologies are revolutionising the media & entertainment industry and have drastically altered the way in which stories are told, resulting in continuous growth in the industry. India boasts the world’s second-largest entertainment market, and VFX is playing a big role in its success.

Since the pandemic’s start, viewers have been consuming more content than ever before; moreover, immersive content is becoming increasingly popular among consumers watching it across several platforms. To meet the rising demand from moviegoers for visually appealing content with high production values, production houses are increasingly incorporating more visual effects and animation into their projects. Nowadays, VFX starts almost in sync with scriptwriting and is an integral part of the storytelling process. VFX supervisors and studios are involved from the beginning of the filmmaking process. Thus, visual effects are integrated from the start as well, resulting in a revolutionary shift in the way stories are depicted worldwide.  

The paradigm shift in the Indian film industry towards greater use of VFX is also driven by the increasing acceptance of VFX in storytelling. This trend has been further accelerated by releasing many action and mythological films, which have relied heavily on animation and VFX throughout the development and post-production stages. Also, given India's extensive heritage of people, tales, and culture, several opportunities exist to generate artistically engaging works for audiences. As seen in recent films such as ‘RRR’ and ‘Brahmastra’, filmmakers, production firms, and content providers are increasingly creating storylines that rely heavily on special effects and animation.

The use of VFX and technology is enabling filmmakers from around the world to express narratives in unique and aesthetically captivating ways. These compelling visuals have intrigued audiences across the globe. This has led to a major shift in the audience's perception and has proven to be a significant advantage for Indian filmmakers across various industries. Creative teams across the spectrum are eager to integrate VFX in their content. This has opened doors both domestically and internationally.

Moreover, the ‘Create in India’ initiative and establishing a national curricular framework will help enhance training quality and position India among the leaders in the industry. The AVGC report released recently highlights the significant contribution of the AVGC sector to the country’s economy. The emphasis on hiring around 2 million professionals by 2030 augurs well for the future. This will create growth and development of the industry in India and provide opportunities for Indian artists in the global market.

In response to the growing demand for high-quality content in commercials, web series, films, and OTT, creators are increasingly using cinematic effects and animation over live-action sequences. They blend VFX and animation effects to make the illusion more believable and blend imagination with reality. To maintain viewer engagement, creators design and write content rich in fantasy and visual essence. The use of technology has enabled storytellers and production houses to produce content that is consistent in quality and value. The combination of animation and VFX allows animators and enthusiasts to exercise creativity and make profitable products. In addition, the evolution and development of VFX, AR, and VR has also opened up new avenues of storytelling that have enhanced and supplemented the experiences of movie audiences, creating more immersive and interactive touchpoints for movie properties and brands.

To conclude, the AVGC sector is rapidly growing and has the potential to become a significant contributor to the Indian Media and Entertainment business, providing jobs, promoting Indian culture to the international community, and boosting tourism and associated industries. Furthermore, the gaming business in India has also seen significant growth. The AVGC industry has diversified the Indian film and entertainment industry and had a positive impact on the Indian narrative.