SS Rajamouli. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Annapurna Studios has introduced the most advanced motion capture equipment in the country. Christened as A&M MoCap Lab, the facility is the result of a partnership between renowned actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios and producer Shobu Yarlagadda’s Mihira Visual Labs. The device is powered by Hollywood’s leading motion capture technology partner Animatrik Film Design.
On Wednesday, SS Rajamouli unveiled A&M Motion Capture equipment and explained how key sequences of his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, were shot using the technology. He also shared a first-ever look at Motion Capture equipment and highlighted how the technology is shaping the scope and ambition of Indian storytelling.
Rajamouli, who earlier launched India’s first Dolby cinema processing facility at Annapurna Studios, spoke about how the Motion Capture facility represents a defining moment for filmmakers in the country.
“India has always had some of the world’s best technicians involved in big global productions, but what we lacked was advanced equipment right here at home. When I look back at some of my previous films like Bahubali, Eega etc, I remember how I could have made them even better if I had access to motion capture technology in India then,” said Rajamouli.
“With the introduction of A&M’s Motion Capture technology, this gap has finally been bridged. This will change the way Indian filmmakers envision and realize their stories as we will no longer have to outsource. I have visited several Motion Capture facilities around the world, but what A&M offers is the perfect combination of precision and performance. We used this equipment to produce key sequences in Varanasi,” added the filmmaker with simply fantastic results.
Nagarjuna Akkineni defined the facility as a major milestone in the journey of Indian cinema.
“For decades, Indian filmmakers have struggled to tell stories on a grand scale that meet global standards, but access to high-end technology has often been a limitation. At Annapurna Studios, our vision has always been to remain at the forefront of film technology by combining creativity and innovation. At a time when Indian cinema is reaching audiences around the world, we wanted to push the bar even higher. With A&M, fictional filmmakers can now push everything from movie adventure movies to life here in Hyderabad.”
ALSO READ: SS Rajamouli unveils India’s first Dolby-certified post-production facility at Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios
Shobu Yarlagadda, who backed the global blockbuster Baahubali, described the collaboration as part of a long-term vision to build a world-class film infrastructure in India.
“For Indian cinema to truly compete on the global stage, it is essential to create advanced technology ecosystems in the country,” he said. “This Motion Capture facility at Annapurna Studios combines creative ambition and technological excellence. At Mihira Labs, we have always focused on empowering filmmakers with tools that meet international standards, and partnering with Annapurna Studios and Animatrik allows us to do just that. To see filmmakers like SS Rajamouli using our A&M MoCap facility for Varanasi, built in Indian homes, reinforces our belief in future innovations in Indian homes.”
Published – 25 Feb 2026 16:06 IST
