VFX pep up prime-time in a big way!

Be it a naagin taking revenge, the lords descending on Earth or screeching noises and faces smeared with blood and soot telling a chilling horror story, special visual effects have added much lather to the frothy telly soaps. Technology has made its presence felt on the small screen and the audiences seem to be loving it in the comforts of their living room.

Remember those battle scenes in serials like 'Ramayana', 'Mahabharat' and 'Chandrakanta' in the good old Doordarshan days that grabbed much eyeballs thanks to their special effects? And now the uber cool, sleek technological advancements have brought a lot more to the table. Taking inspirations from various Hollywood movies and English television shows our show-makers are now experimenting a lot more by playing up creative story-lines with scenes that are absolute drool worthy.

Be it daily soaps that have a sci-fi connect such as 'Bahu_Hamari_Rajni_Kant' and 'Badi Dooor Se Aaye Hain', costume dramas like 'Siya Ke Ram', 'Ashoka', 'Baalveer' including VFX for fight sequences or to add grandeur to the show or mythological shows like 'Santoshi Maa', 'Mann Me Vishwas Hai' and 'Bhakti Mein Shakti' inducing some special visual imagery to show the ‘miracle moments,’ VFX have become integral for taking the story forward. Not just that, even shows with a supernatural connect such as 'Sasural Simar Ka', 'Adhuri Hamari Kahani', 'Naagin', 'Vishkanya', 'Baalveer', 'Ye Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum' et al too are putting up sequences that involve VFX.

How difficult is it for makers to manage a show that includes VFX? Yash A Patnaik, whose upcoming superhero show 'Nagarjun' is full on VFX shares, “We had to create a world people haven’t seen before along with characters beyond the ordinary. That’s the reason we needed a lot of VFX. The quality of VFX is of high standard. It’s not easy to have so much of VFX. Months of planning goes behind this. Any show that is larger than life will require VFX support and it is expensive. It needs a lot of man power and technology in terms of software and hardware. There are over 60 people working 24*7 for the VFX. We are spending almost 12-14% of our production budget on VFX.”

Certain drama based daily soaps are using such VFX to add supernatural elements. Is it really needed? To this, producer JD Majethia says, “VFX add a fascinating element to any show. Seeing the protagonist or antagonist turn into some other creature or animal – definitely gives an interesting twist in the drama. Also some daily soaps might be using it in absence of solid content. Some really make the show survive with such supernatural inclusions as elements of thrill work in many situations. So, VFX are a boon in these shows.”

VFX certainly gives a different look to the show as it looks technically superior and sleek. But to work on it – even actors have to give their extra bit. What do they feel about usage of technology in shows? Actor Arjun Bijlani who is the part of mini-series 'Naagin' says, “VFX are the in thing and can’t be ignored. Indian television has progressed and usage of VFX enhance the scenes and it also depends on the nature of sequences it is used in. Sometimes it’s hectic as one needs to understand the technicalities as how the scene will look on-screen. But it indeed is an interesting experience to work for the scenes that involve VFX. “Even Rashami Desai, who is part of Adhuri Hamari Kahani shares, “We all have seen usage of VFX in films. So how television can lag behind? A show with VFX has an altogether superior production quality. Coordination can be a bit tough sometimes in the scenes that include VFX as everyone wants particular scenes in a particular way. Also, you have to imagine the particular VFX and treat the scene accordingly. But then it’s a professional requirement.”

Seems like VFX are the new hero for small screen. Everything said and done, producers will keep on taking a ‘tech’ leap forward as long as the audience is hooked to it. And there comes the TRP.
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