S. S. Rajamouli Launches India’s Most Advanced A&M Motion Capture Facility at Annapurna Studios
Indian cinema took a giant technological leap forward with the launch of the country’s most advanced Motion Capture facility at Annapurna Studios. Unveiled by visionary filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, the state-of-the-art facility—christened A&M MoCap Lab—marks a defining moment in the evolution of high-end filmmaking technology in India.
The cutting-edge facility is the result of a powerful collaboration between **Akkineni Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios and ace producer Shobu Yarlagadda’s Mihira Visual Labs, in association with Hollywood’s leading motion capture technology partner Animatrik Film Design.
At the launch event held in Hyderabad, Rajamouli introduced the A&M Motion Capture facility and revealed that crucial sequences from his much-anticipated upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, were filmed using this advanced technology. He also offered an exclusive first glimpse into the facility, underscoring how motion capture is set to redefine the scale, ambition, and visual storytelling of Indian cinema.
Having earlier inaugurated India’s first Dolby Cinema processing facility at Annapurna Studios, Rajamouli described the A&M MoCap Lab as a transformative milestone.
“India has always had some of the world’s finest technicians contributing to major global productions, but what we lacked was an advanced facility at home. When I think of films like Bahubali and Eega, I often imagine how much more could have been achieved with access to motion capture technology back then,” Rajamouli said.
“With A&M, that gap has finally been bridged. Filmmakers will no longer need to outsource such crucial work. I’ve visited motion capture facilities across the world, and what A&M offers is a rare blend of precision and performance. We used it extensively for Varanasi, and the results were simply fantastic.”
Calling it a landmark moment in India’s cinematic journey, Akkineni Nagarjuna emphasized Annapurna Studios’ long-standing commitment to innovation.
“For decades, Indian filmmakers have dreamed of telling grand, globally competitive stories, but access to advanced technology was often a limitation. At Annapurna Studios, our vision has always been to stay ahead by integrating creativity with cutting-edge technology. With A&M, filmmakers can now bring epic adventures, high-concept science fiction, and visually complex narratives to life—right here in Hyderabad.”
Producer Shobu Yarlagadda described the collaboration as part of a broader, long-term vision to build world-class filmmaking infrastructure within India.
“For Indian cinema to truly compete on the global stage, we must create advanced technology ecosystems within the country. The A&M Motion Capture facility brings together creative ambition and technological excellence. Partnering with Annapurna Studios and Animatrik enables us to provide filmmakers with tools that meet international standards. Seeing a filmmaker like Rajamouli use this facility for Varanasi reinforces our belief that the future of Indian storytelling will be driven by innovation built at home.”
Brett Ineson, President & CTO of Animatrik Film Design—whose expertise spans Hollywood blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home—said the time was ripe for India to fully embrace high-end cinematic technology.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Animatrik’s motion capture technology powering this landmark facility. Annapurna Studios has long been a beacon of cinematic excellence, and partnering with them and Mihira Visual Labs to bring world-class performance capture capabilities to India is truly exciting. This collaboration empowers filmmakers to create immersive, emotionally rich stories that meet the highest global standards.”
Detailing the technological depth of the facility, CV Rao, CTO of Annapurna Studios, explained that A&M MoCap Lab features a massive 60ft x 40ft x 30ft capture volume, offering sub-millimeter accuracy through high-precision optical tracking and real-time data streaming. The modular and expandable setup can also be assembled and deployed at any location, depending on production needs.
Equipped with Vicon Valkyrie (VK26) cameras, the facility ensures ultra-high-fidelity motion tracking for complex performance capture workflows. The integration of Vicon Live and Vicon Post enables seamless real-time streaming and advanced post-processing, while Unreal Engine live preview powers real-time visualization and virtual production pipelines. Stereo Head-Mounted Camera (HMC) units further enhance facial capture, delivering precise depth and expression tracking ideal for films, games, and immersive media.
The launch of the A&M Motion Capture facility coincides with Annapurna Studios completing 50 illustrious years in Indian cinema. Looking ahead, the studio plans to collaborate with Indian and international filmmakers, animation studios, and game developers—positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for world-class motion capture and virtual production.
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