Indian filmmaking is set to witness a new chapter that can significantly raise the bar for our films. Annapurna Studios, one of India’s most respected and pioneering entertainment institutions, has introduced the country’s most advanced Motion Capture facility, marking a huge step forward in India’s creative and technological evolution.
Christened as A&M MoCap Lab, this facility is the result of a partnership between renowned actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios and visionary producer Shobu Yarlagadda’s Mihira Visual Labs. The facility is powered by Hollywood’s leading motion capture technology partner, Animatrik Film Design.
On February 25, SS Rajamouli, the most celebrated Indian filmmaker, introduced the A&M Motion Capture facility and explained how key sequences of his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, were shot using the technology and added that the results were fantastic. He also shared the first-ever glimpse of the Motion Capture facility, highlighting how this technology is shaping the scale and ambition of Indian storytelling.
Rajamouli, who had earlier launched India’s first Dolby cinema processing facility at Annapurna Studios, spoke about how the Motion Capture facility represents a defining moment for filmmakers in the country.
He said, “India has always had some of the world’s best technicians contributing to major global productions, but what we lacked was an advanced facility right here at home. When I look back at some of my previous films, like Bahubali, Eega, etc., I reminisce about how I could have made them even better if I had access to motion capture technology back then in India. With the introduction of A&M’s Motion Capture technology, that gap has finally been bridged.”
Nagarjuna Akkineni said, “For decades, Indian filmmakers have aspired to tell large-scale stories that match global standards, but access to high-end technology was often a limitation. At Annapurna Studios, our vision has always been to stay at the forefront of filmmaking technology. With A&M, filmmakers can now bring everything from epic adventures to intricate science fiction dramas to life right here in Hyderabad.”
Shobu Yarlagadda described the collaboration as part of a long-term vision to build world class filmmaking infrastructure in India. “For Indian cinema to truly compete on a global stage, it is essential to create advanced technology ecosystems within the country. This Motion Capture facility at Annapurna Studios brings together creative ambition and technological excellence.”
Brett Ineson, President & CTO of Animatrik Film Design, which has provided its expertise in the making of blockbuster Hollywood films like Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, etc., said that it was India’s turn to embrace high-end technology that facilitated the kind of grand storytelling that has been emerging from Indian filmmakers.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art Vicon Valkyrie (VK26) cameras, delivering precise, high-fidelity motion tracking for complex performance capture workflows. We utilize Vicon Live for real-time data streaming and Vicon Post for advanced post-processing and data refinement. The setup also includes Stereo HMC (Head-Mounted Camera) units, ensuring high-resolution facial performance capture with accurate depth and expression tracking.
