Malhotra leads VFX for one of the largest international post-production companies – DNEG, Prime Focus Ayan MukerjiStarring the great work of ‘Brahmastra’ Ranbir Kapoor in the lead. ETimes sat down with the man of the times for a candid chat about ‘Brahmastra’ being a gamechanger for the Indian film industry, the film’s chances of getting an Oscar next year and more…
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‘Doon’ won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects this year, can ‘Brahmastra’ become a contestant Academy Awards subsequent years?
Anything is possible. I will not discount anything. While we got nominated for ‘Bond’ and ‘Doon’, it’s not like we haven’t done 5 other films that are just as good. We did ‘Last Night in Soho’ and got the Outstanding Supporting VFX Award, why didn’t he come to the Oscars, I don’t know. We also got the award for the smallest budget VFX film of all time, ‘X-Machina’.
How will Brahmastra act as a game-changer in Bollywood?
I believe VFX is a tool in the filmmaker’s hand. What I love about what we are doing with Brahmastra is that we are bringing a story that is ingrained in the fabric and DNA of our country. We are using VFX to give viewers an experience that originates in our country and not to create or create something that the West has done before.
I must give credit to the director because that is his vision to make something that is really complex and expansive and put it together. We are enabling this by playing our respective roles.
When the world sees Brahmastra, they will be very positively impressed by the fact that we have done something that speaks to our people, culture and origins without trying to imitate anyone else. In that regard, it is very exciting to be a part of it, and take the innovation and high-tech creative story forward not only in the West, but to do it in India as well.
What’s the hardest thing about your job in the VFX department?
The hardest part is mixing the computer generated content with the real world. It has always been a challenge in the VFX industry because you are always trying to create a perception of reality. These are some of the hardest things you can do. Very careful work has been done by our cast to ensure that you, as an audience, are not left out of the film.
How easy or difficult was it to work for Doon and Brahmastra VFX during the lockdown?
‘Doon’ was post-produced in the lockdown and got delayed from its original date. I think from a digital creative standpoint, artists have been able to continue to work at a pretty creative level. That’s what you see onscreen. When the world was in shock, in our industry, we were able to navigate it very effectively. Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, we still continue to work from home.
Where does Indian cinema stand in this age of visual effects?
It is an art form which is also developing very fast in India. India’s biggest film ‘Sholay’ came in 1975 and ‘Star Wars’ came in 1977. Looking at the evolution of Hollywood, they took inspiration from ‘Star Wars’ and they created these worlds and made 100 more such movies using visuals. Effects and Digital Capability. While in Bollywood, we made a lot of social, romantic and other genres of films.
In the last 8-10 years, we have seen a paradigm shift in ourselves with releases like ‘Baahubali’, ‘RRR’ with the promise of big screen entertainment. We are producing ‘Brahmastra’ under the direction of Ayan Mukerji. We see that we’re driving that agenda and sales quite a bit. There is only one way for the Indian film industry and that is up! We have the potential and talent. As more and more filmmakers are excited to use this technology, I am sure that more and more great works will come.
If you could choose a favorite project, which would it be?
These are all very interesting points. I can give you a point on each of them. If I talk about ‘Ramayana’, then all Indians know its story. It is rooted in our culture and the fabric of who we are. For me, it has a status. It has a place that is unique, so it is difficult to choose one as each has its own effect on your mind and heart. Then you talk about growing up as a kid and seeing James Bond Play as one of the most iconic characters in the history of movies. ‘Doon’ is the biggest standard that the director Denis Villeneuve Achieved by his brilliant vision and the standard he is able to set is something never seen before. For me, it has its place. Ayan Mukerji working with Ranbir Kapoor to bring back ‘Brahmastra’ everything we’ve done Karan Johar To really help bring this aspiration, we can make our children and the younger generation of India feel proud of what our cinema can produce.
Can you tell us your favorite moments with a director and the best learning experience?
He is massive. I have had the privilege of being associated with so many films and the works of so many directors. It’s hard to pick one, but my all-time favorite Christopher Nolana, My favorite movie of all time is Forrest Gump. I am in awe of Denis Villeneuve after working with him in ‘Doon’. Then there are many Indian directors from Ayan Mukerji to Nitesh Tiwari, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, They are all people I deeply admire. As a child, I saw Mr. Bachchan’s ‘Agneepath’ and wanted to make films after that.