S.S. Rajamouli Unveils India's Advanced Motion Capture Facility

S.S. Rajamouli, the acclaimed director known for films like "RRR" and "Baahubali," has inaugurated India's most advanced motion capture facility, the A&M MoCap Lab, located at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. This facility is a collaborative effort between Akkineni Nagarjuna's Annapurna Studios and Shobu Yarlagadda's Mihira Visual Labs, with technology support from Hollywood's Animatrik Film Design, recognized for its work on major films such as "Avengers: Endgame" and "Spider-Man: No Way Home." During the launch, Rajamouli highlighted that key sequences for his upcoming film "Varanasi," featuring stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, were captured using this new technology.

Variety Magazine

The establishment of the A&M MoCap Lab is seen as a pivotal moment for Indian filmmaking. Nagarjuna emphasized that Indian filmmakers have long sought to create large-scale narratives that meet global standards, but were often hindered by a lack of access to advanced technology. He stated, “With A&M, filmmakers can now bring everything from epic adventures to intricate science fiction dramas to life right here in Hyderabad.” Yarlagadda echoed this sentiment, asserting that the facility is part of a broader initiative to build a robust technological ecosystem in India, essential for competing on the global stage.

Variety Magazine

The A&M MoCap Lab boasts a capture volume of 60 by 40 by 30 feet, equipped with Vicon Valkyrie VK26 cameras that provide sub-millimeter optical tracking precision and real-time data streaming via Vicon Live. The facility integrates Unreal Engine for live virtual production previsualization and includes high-resolution facial performance capture through Stereo Head-Mounted Camera units. C.V. Rao, CTO of Annapurna Studios, noted that the facility serves as a valuable pre-production tool, allowing directors and cinematographers to finalize creative decisions in a dynamic virtual environment before principal photography begins.

Variety Magazine

As Annapurna Studios celebrates its 50th anniversary, the A&M MoCap Lab is positioned to serve not only Indian filmmakers but also international filmmakers, game developers, and animation studios seeking production partnerships in Asia. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing the storytelling capabilities of Indian cinema, enabling creators to produce more immersive and emotionally resonant narratives.

Variety Magazine

• “When I look back at some of my previous films like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Eega,’ I reminisce how I could have made them even better if I had access to motion capture technology back then in India.” — S.S. Rajamouli, Director

Variety Magazine

• “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,” — Akkineni Nagarjuna, Actor

Variety Magazine

• “Seeing a filmmaker like S.S. Rajamouli utilize our A&M MoCap facility for ‘Varanasi’ reinforces our belief that the future of Indian storytelling will be driven by innovation built at home.” — Shobu Yarlagadda, Producer

Variety Magazine

The A&M MoCap Lab represents a transformative development in Indian cinema, promising to elevate the quality and scope of film production in the country.

Variety Magazine