Primetime television shows across Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) have increasingly grown to embrace the use of visual effects (VFX) to add grandeur and take viewers into different worlds. What was once a luxury that could only be afforded by the silver screen, has slowly made its way into the daily lives of the TV audience.
Star Plus, Zee TV, Sony, &TV, Life OK and SAB have launched more and more shows that require the proficient use of VFX for adding better aesthetic quality to video production. We list down some of the shows that are currently on air where you can catch a glimpse of the VFX being used to add layers to the storytelling.
Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat
The historical show being aired Monday-Friday at 9:00 pm on Colors, takes viewers into the journey of Emperor Ashoka. Launched about two months ago, the show takes viewers into the world of Ashoka through set extensions, crowd multiplication and animation. The one year long series has VFX provided by the Contiloe Productions, which is also creating the show for Colors. One of the special aspects is a CG lion that is present throughout the series.
Betaal aur Sinhasan Battisi
An adaptation of a folklore from the time of King Vikramaditya, Betaal aur Sinhasan Battisi involves several set extensions and chroma shots that are executed by Raj Studio. Recently launched on SAB TV, the show premieres Monday-Friday at 7:30 pm. Produced by Creative Eye, the story is about King Bhoj’s struggle and determination to possess the throne of Vikramaditya and faced with challenges thrown by Betaal. Elements of mythological fantasy for the period comedy drama have been added with the assistance of VFX.
Maharakshak Devi
In continuation to its Maharakshak series, Zee TV has lined up Devi to proceed after Aryan. The 26 episode series is a contemporary take on social evils that have roots in mythology. Therefore, Vertex Volt continued providing VFX for Devi after its stint with Aryan. Each show requires about 250 VFX shots which include chroma shots, 3D modeling, 2D animation and matte paintings. Devi also has a CG tiger in it for the first two episodes which took over 40 days for creation.
Jodha Akbar
This is one of the long running historical dramas on television, launched in June 2013. The show airs Monday-Friday at 8:00 pm and also has Raj Studio working on its VFX; much of it is set extensions and crowd multiplication for war scenes. Produced by Balaji Telefilms, it is an inspiration from the Bollywood movie Jodha Akbar and talks about the life of King Akbar and his wife Jodha bai and the political tensions of the sixteenth century between the Mughals and the Rajputs.
Razia Sultan
The recently launched channel from the Zee group, &TV started off with a historical drama on the only lady ruler in history-Razia Sultan. The show of the same name also has a lot to credit to the VFX that is being added to enhance the look of the scene, again provided by Raj Studio. Produced by Swastik Productions, several chroma shots, crowd multiplication, 3D creations and CGI can be visible on weekdays at 7:30pm.
Mahabharat
Several years after the acclaimed Mahabharat series was aired on Doordarshan, Star Plus came out with its modern version of the show in late 2013. The high ratings caused the show to be extended from six months to more than one year. The VFX involved several set extensions, 3D set creations, crowd multiplication and added effects. While several VFX houses were involved at first, it shifted to an in-house team at Swastik Productions (the production company) after that.
Suryaputra Karn, Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman and Siya ke Ram
These upcoming shows, the first on Sony based on the life of the Mahabharat character Karna, second too on Sony based on the Ramayan character Hanuman and the last one on Ram himself that will be seen on Star Plus seem to have promising VFX included in the series. Teasers for all three have been released but none of them have got fixed dates of releasing.