VFX Big Boost For Film Industry, Says Sam Bhattacharjee

As a veteran in the VFX industry with over 33 films under his belt, Sam Bhattacharjee, award-winning filmmaker and founder of Final Post Ltd, is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities in this field. With a career spanning multiple facets of filmmaking, Sam has worked on notable projects like “IRaH,” “Sikaar,” “Barun Rai And The House On The Cliff,” and as a visual effects supervisor on films like “Animal,” “Gold,” “Housefull 4,” “Pushpa 2,” and “Commando 3.”

Recently, Sam announced “Pink VFX,” the world’s first women-led initiative aimed at empowering women in the film industry. “The idea behind Pink VFX is to establish a platform where women can take the lead and make decisions,” Sam explains. “We have seen a significant gender gap in the VFX industry, with women making up only 3-4% of the workforce. Our goal is to bridge this gap and provide opportunities for women to excel in this field.”

Pink VFX is not just about promoting women in VFX; it’s also about creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for them to thrive. “We have got some amazing women working in our VFX studio, and they have produced incredible work,” Sam notes. “However, due to various responsibilities and restrictions, their talent often gets wasted. With Pink VFX, we aim to change this narrative and empower women to take on more significant roles in the industry.”

Sam’s experience working on big projects like “Housefull 5” and “Sardarji 3” has given him valuable insights into the challenges of meeting tight deadlines and delivering high-quality work. “Experience is always stressful, but we are trying our best to get the work done on time,” he says. “Both projects have a release date in June, so it’s quite hectic at the moment.”

When asked about his experience working on “Pushpa 2,” Sam highlights the importance of creative decision-making in VFX. “As a VFX supervisor, you have to take creative decisions, and sometimes these decisions are unsupervised,” he explains. “But finishing on time and reaching the goal is the most important thing. Quality is never a compromise or a question.”

Sam believes that VFX is an integral part of modern filmmaking, and its importance cannot be overstated. “Everything is VFX-oriented now, which is a big boost for the industry,” he says.

“However, realism is very important. The ratio of VFX to the overall budget has to be understood. Piracy is a significant issue, and software costs are not cheap. But with the use of artificial intelligence, things are getting easier for people to explain.”

When asked about the talent pool of VFX artists in India, Sam says that while there are talented artists, there’s a need for a standardised rate card. “The expectation of VFX is going higher and higher, and there’s no reason why Indian VFX artists can't match the quality of Hollywood,” he notes. “However, the VFX department is always over budget, and it’s a catch-22 situation. We are trying to find ways to minimise errors and make the industry more sustainable.”

Sam emphasizes the importance of government support and industry recognition for VFX artists. “If we want to see good movies in India, we need to celebrate filmmaking and support the workers who make these films,” he says. “The government initiatives like India Cine Hub and MTC are steps in the right direction, but we need to ensure that these benefits reach the independent producers and VFX artists who need them the most.”

With Pink VFX, Sam aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in VFX. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that VFX will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of Indian cinema.