VFX Supervision in Odia Cinema
1. VFX Supervision in Odia Cinema on the Set of Mantra Mugdha
VFX Supervision in Odia Cinema began with the film Mantra Mugdha. I worked as the on-set VFX Supervisor. The film featured a talented cast including Sanoj Kumar, Manmay Dey, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Sarthak Bharadwaj, Bhoomika Dash, Suryamayee Mohapatra, and Hara Rath.
The environment on set was relaxed and casual. It was very different from the structured Bollywood shoots I was used to. However, this offered me a fresh perspective on how regional cinema operates.
Director Anupam Patnaik was very understanding and supportive throughout the VFX process. His cooperation made it easier to plan and execute advanced visual effects sequences efficiently.
During the shoot, I created several 3D photogrammetry facial scans of the main actors and actresses. These scans were essential for digital doubles, facial tracking, and accurate lighting references. As a result, the film achieved better visual realism and smoother post-production integration.
At first, the Director and DOP seemed unsure about heavy VFX involvement. They worried that visual effects might dominate the natural tone of the film. However, through patient communication and on-set examples, I helped them see how VFX could enhance storytelling instead.
By the end of the schedule, they were more confident and open. The collaboration became smoother, and the overall workflow improved dramatically. This experience marked an important step in expanding VFX supervision in Odia cinema.
2. Chaki Suna VFX Supervision in Odia Cinema
My next major experience in VFX supervision in Odia cinema came with Chaki Suna. The movie starred Anubhav Mohanty, Sambhabana Mohanty, Divyadisha Mohanty, Abhishek Panda, and Udit Guru. Directed by Manash Padhiary, the film offered a supportive and collaborative environment. His professionalism and calm approach made the on-set process very smooth.
Unlike Mantra Mugdha, this project involved limited VFX work. The main focus was a car chroma shoot, which required precision and careful planning. Managing reflections from the green screen and crew was particularly challenging.
The DOP, Deepak Kumar, played a vital role in overcoming these issues. He adjusted lighting angles, minimised reflections, and balanced exposure beautifully. His commitment to solving these problems ensured we met every VFX requirement successfully.
Additionally, the production team provided full support. We received a complete camera unit and crew for an entire day to capture multiple VFX passes. Several reflection and shadow passes were filmed under different lighting conditions. Two cameras were synchronised for accurate multi-angle data capture.
Thanks to this detailed preparation, the chroma footage was clean and precise. The collaboration between departments proved that even smaller-scale VFX projects can achieve professional results with proper planning and teamwork.
This film also strengthened my working relationship with the DOP, who had been part of Mantra Mugdha. The mutual understanding we built earlier helped make this shoot smoother and more efficient.
3. Adapting to Odisha’s Unique Filmmaking Environment
Working in Odisha’s film industry has been both educational and rewarding. Compared to Bollywood, the environment here is more relaxed and spontaneous. Decisions often happen directly on set, which keeps the creative process flexible.
However, this informality can sometimes make VFX supervision in Odia cinema challenging. Technical setups require precision and consistency, and flexibility must balance with control. Over time, I learned to adapt quickly and find creative solutions on the spot.
This adaptability helped me stay efficient even under unpredictable conditions. It also strengthened collaboration across departments, ensuring that the VFX process aligned smoothly with the production schedule.
Overall, my experiences in VFX supervision in Odia cinema taught me patience, communication, and teamwork. They showed me that visual effects are not just technical add-ons. Instead, they are powerful storytelling tools that enhance emotion and depth when applied thoughtfully.
VFX is about blending art and technology to bring imagination to life — and Odia cinema is steadily embracing that transformation.