Ramayana to Brahmastra: Bollywood’s Visual Spectacles That Redefined Big-Screen VFX

Bollywood has been rewriting its fate with larger-than-life films and magical visuals. While VFX is an emerging threshold as a part of storytelling, it has certainly helped many filmmakers to explore the landscape and challenge the limits. From the visuals that get under your skin to the magnificent mythology, let’s take a look at films that redefined the big-screen VFX.

The film, which has not been released, but managed to create a storm of anticipation with its 3-minute teaser – ‘Ramayana.’ From the contrasting visuals of blue and red to the intricate lines of create an illuded mythological phenomenon, the fans have hailed the film to be a piece of art, and a masterpiece. To add a perfect amount of ‘iconic’ sentiments, Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman have collaborated for music composition.

‘Brahmastra,’ the perfect combination of folk tales and visual effects, was lauded for its VFX after its release. The top-notch visual aspects, where the audience got to devour the contrasting colour palette and a passionate approach to a mystical delight. ‘Brahmastra: Part One: Shiva’ has been an ideal textbook for VFX, while the fans await the sequel, hoping to turn up the notch. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy and Amitabh Bachchan, Ayan Mukerji transcended the boundaries and gave the audience a perfect cinematic excellence.

The film, which is referred to be ‘ahead of its time’ and unexpected, ‘Ra. One.’ The terror of Arjun Rampal’s character has to be written on the walls of Bollywood, where the VFX helped create something unprecedented. From the car chase sequence to the point where Ra. One gets re-attached, and the 2011 film left an indelible impression. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Arjun Rampal, the creators gave an ideal Bollywood hit with drama, romance, comedy, action sequences, and the thrill that sends chills to your spine.

‘Bhediya,’ the horror-comedy, created a universe in Bollywood which celebrated the midnight blues and werewolf howls. From the painful yet enigmatic transformation of Varun Dhawan’s ‘Bhediya’ to the monsters that lived in the mountains, the film’s VFX carefully created something terrifying and convincing, rather than losing the plot in translation. Amar Kaushik created an idyllic amalgamation of iconic storytelling and the visuals that stay with you even after the film ends.

‘Krrish 3,’ the film with mind-blowing action sequences and numerous mutants, ruled the silver screen after its release in 2013. With Hrithik Roshan’s majestic cape and the DNA fused villains, the film’s VFX curated larger-than-life operations and stunning visuals that left their mark with goosebumps. Along with Vivek Oberoi, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and more, the film is celebrated for giving the audience perfect 'on-the-edge-of-the-seat' moments.

‘Munjya,’ the film where the creators spent half of their budget on VFX, created a convincing and frightening creature, raising the standards of the film industry. Stemmed from folklore, the film had the audience grasping with a gut-churning storyline and spine-chilling visuals. Starring Abhay Verma and Sharvari, ‘Munjya’ was praised to be called as a ‘Bollywood comeback’ during the release. As the film managed to skip a heartbeat or ten, Aditya Sarpotdar cast a spell on the masses.

Not parented by Bollywood, but the films that have been celebrated around the world for the never-seen-before grandeur – the Bahubali franchise. With the glorious battles and the action sequences that feel like a stab in the back (literally), Bahubali managed to write a history. One of the highest-grossing Indian films, S. S. Rajamouli redefined the VFX’s magic in the cinema.