Veer-Zaara brims with drama
subtle effects from Tata Elxsi's Visual Computing Labs
November 16, 2004

Mumbai / Bangalore: Visual Computing Labs (VCL) has gone from vroom to understated effects. From providing high-octane effects in Dhoom, Visual Computing Labs now offers subtle visual effects for Yash Chopra's latest 'love-legend' Veer-Zaara, starring Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachhan.

VCL, a division of Tata Elxsi, has provided VFX for the new blockbuster from Yashraj Films, particularly the 'morph-dissolves' technique developed by the company. In Veer-Zaara, this technique is used to convert the elder characters into their younger selves, and vice-versa, but the morph is done so skillfully that it highlights the sensitivity and drama while maintaining the fine balance of the scenes instead of detracting from them.

"The goal for VCL was to execute the effects in such a way that the audience realises what the changes are much after the transition actually takes place", said Pankaj Khandpur, creative director — VCL and a VFX guru.

Other VFX inputs included background replacement: the placing of background scenes from Pakistan in Lahore city, the creation and enhancement of natural phenomena (rain), the execution of the 'accident' sequence, and some of the helicopter 'action' shots, as well as day-for-night and time-lapse sequences. VCL was also entrusted with the opening credit-title sequence, colour-correction and grading parts of Veer-Zaara.

K. Chandrashekar, GM and head — Visual Computing Labs said, "VCL supervisors worked closely with the director during the planning of the shots, and were also responsible for supervising the VFX shoot for some of the key scenes".

"The use of visual effects in Indian films has evolved a great deal. Directors are proactively looking at VFX from the script stage itself, instead of as an afterthought. VCL's involvement is from day one, from planning to supervising the last VFX shot", he added.

About Visual Computing Labs
Visual Computing Labs (VCL) is a division of Tata Elxsi, part of the multibillion-dollar Tata Group of industries. VCL provides world-class, quality animation (2D & 3D), digital effects, and gaming services to customers globally.

VCL leverages its unique mix of creative and specialised skills in 3D computer graphics, animation and visual effects to offer pre-production, production and post-production services. VCL caters to the advertising, film and TV and gaming industries across geographies. Versatility in handling diverse styles of animation and the ability to provide quality, cost effective and on-time FX services as a single window offering remains a key strength of VCL. (For more information visit: www.tataelxsi.com/htmls/vcl/vcl_home.htm)

About Tata Elxsi
Tata Elxsi, the product design arm of the US$11.2 billion Tata Group, is a company focused on delivering outsourced product design and R&D services and solutions to customers worldwide. Core technology strengths, domain skills, and system engineering capabilities form the nucleus of the company. Adherence to strict quality processes has enabled the company to be certified at SEI CMMI Level 5 for both hardware and software.

Spanning industries from automotive to aerospace, bioinformatics to consumer electronics, and entertainment to FMCG, media to storage, semicon to telecom, Tata Elxsi's offers content, solutions and services across the product life cycle. Governed by strict processes, a highly motivated skilled workforce and driven by strong design principles and ethical business practices Tata Elxsi ensures cost-effective, time-to-market solutions from the core practices encompassing system integration, product design services, design and engineering services and Visual Computing Labs.

Headquartered in Bangalore, India, the company is supported by a strong network of over 20 offices worldwide. Tata Elxsi's design services are supported by state-of-the-art design and development centers in Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram in India. Tata Elxsi's local presence in the USA, UK, Germany, Canada and Japan assures easy access to the company's global customers as well.