Visual Computing Labs, Tata Elxi, creates magic for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna with outstanding computer effects
August 10, 2006

Bangalore: Visual Computing Labs (VCL), a division of Tata Elxsi, once again showcased its excellence in visual effects (VFX) with its work in one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year — Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK).

KANK is Karan Johar's third directorial venture and stars Bollywood bigwigs like Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan and Kiron Kher in pivotal roles. The movie was shot over a 90-day stint in the USA and a few on four large sets in Mumbai's studios.

"This is VCL's second project for Dharma Productions, having worked with them earlier on Kal Ho Na Ho. In KANK, VCL has executed more than 45 minutes of effects work," said K. Chandrashekhar, head of VCL.

Says Mr Pankaj Khandpur — creative director, Visual Computing Labs, Tata Elxsi, "The most outstanding work in the multi-starrer movie was the creation of a Computer Graphic Image (CGI) football stadium and the neighbouring city in the aerial views. It is for the first time in India that the creation of thousands of stadium crowds in all the long-shots was all done in computer graphics!"

"The creation of CGI crowds in the stadium was particularly challenging as we were combining CGI characters in the distance with existing live-action actors in the foreground. Each of the CGI 'agents' had to reflect the same level of movement and excitement as the live-action actors, so that both types of 'actors' could blend seamlessly in the same shot/s. Even the relative clothing, hair etc., had to be similar! Apart from the blending, the biggest challenge was rendering a crowd of 75,000 people in CG, each in complete 3D, with clothes, caps, shoes, and even tubs of popcorn," he added.

All the environment effects like snow and rain for many of the scenes, including depicting the 'changing' of seasons in real time were created in CG by VCL. An important requirement was to ensure the seamless integration from one scene to the other; this required the creation of 'matched' trees, as well as matching the 'grounds' of various shots, and the creation of freshly fallen digital 'snow' in the Shahrukh shot. This was challenging considering the individual shots had been shot at different locations, and at different times, weeks apart from each other.

Further elaborating on the execution of environmental effects for KANK Pankaj Khandpur said, "The narrative requirement was to show the passage of time via the changing of seasons, across multiple locations, and multiple characters. The scene begins with Abhishek walking in a crowded square when it begins to rain. We seamlessly tilt up to a tree in summer, with green leaves, which turn to brown as the camera comes down to show us Preity in the garden of her house. She puts her hand out to catch the first flakes of snow. The camera travels to the ground, which quickly covers with snow. The camera now tilts up to reveal Shahrukh walking past a snow-covered cemetery. More snowfalls. Match to Rani at another location, walking through a snowstorm".

"An interesting problem was whenever the unit shot in real snow, by the time the shot was 'taken', the snow was completely destroyed with hundreds of foot-prints... you could see the footprints of the lighting, camera, costume, direction and setting departments (even car tracks). Plus all of the actors' retake footprints! The script however, called for the loneliness and bleakness of the location, with just a character alone in his solitude! A snow-covered groundscape that looked like an army had just passed by would destroy the objective of these shots! VCL had to create digital 'virgin' snow, and 'fill' back the tracks, leave exactly one set of footprints (ostensibly the character's), and then motion track all of this match the live camera movement!"

Apart from animation for the movie and the film logo, VCL has designed the opening credits of the film, as well as many minutes of 'hidden' effects: cosmetic fixes, embellishment, transitions, and day-for-night effects.

About Visual Computing Labs
Visual Computing Labs, a division of Tata Elxsi, is a creative facility offering animation, gaming and special effects for the global entertainment and broadcast industry. Headquartered in Bangalore, the lab is a unique mix of engineering and creative skills, which provides solutions from scripting, pre / post production, character modelling and animation, VFX, and development services among others.