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Post production segment moves focus to digital processes

Published

13 years ago

March 21, 2013

MUMBAI: The post production segment has moved focus from analogue to new age digital processes.

The Ficci KPMG report notes that the post production segment is poised for stupendous growth as Indian filmmakers discover the magic of digitisation. Technology has revolutionised the very process of filmmaking, especially at the post-production stage. This has given rise to a plethora of digital labs and studios in India catering to new age editing, Digital Intermediate (DI) and other digital processes.

The sector is currently estimated at Rs 15.5 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16 per cent by 2017. Key contributors to growth are established segments such as DI and also newer ones such as Restoration and Conversion. Additionally, the digital revolution has made the video editing work flow process quicker, from time-consuming (tape to tape) linear video editing to online editing suites and to computer hardware and video editing software such as Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro, as well as the incorporation of Cloud technologies for storage and technology/software access.

Colour correction via telecine on tapes for edit has replaced the traditional rushes printing process in the processing lab. The Steen beck method of editing analogue rush prints in a linear manner has given way to film editing on non-linear software-based systems such Avid/FCP. DI processes have moved up from 2K resolution to 4K resolution for greater detail and quality. The final deliverables for film outputs have increased from only analogue 35mm prints to Digital DCPs.

Meanwhile, the VFX industry, a rapidly evolving segment in India, is estimated at approximately Rs. 7.77 billion and can be broadly classified into the following verticals – movies, TV shows and advertisements. As the segment is still at a nascent stage and domestic consumption remains limited, with mainly low-end work being carried out in India, there is considerable dependence on outsourced projects from the US and the UK.

However, the domestic market is now witnessing bigger budget film releases and ad campaigns, for which players have increased spending on VFX so as to provide an enhanced visual experience for viewers. The segment registered 35 per cent growth over 2008-2012 and is expected to grow approx 20 per cent CAGR to reach Rs 19 billion in 2017.

Technicolor India country head Biren Ghose notes that India has ascended to the top of the pyramid when it comes to CG animation/VFX productions. “MPC‘s ‘Life of Pi‘, ‘Prometheus‘ and ‘Skyfall‘; DreamWorks Dedicated Unit‘s – ‘Madagascar 3‘ and ‘Rise of the Guardians‘; Technicolor Animation‘s services in Mattel‘s ‘ Barbie And the Pink Shoes‘ and award winning episodic work for Nick on ‘Kung Fu Panda‘ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‘ – is proof enough.”

On an average, Indian movies have limited budgets for visual / special effects. In India VFX budgets are considerably below international benchmarks, even as a percentage of production costs. The VFX budgets for Hollywood movies range from $ 3 million to $ 9 million, which could cover the cost of an average Indian movie. However, VFX budgets for Indian movies, including regional cinema, are showing an increasing trend and are expected to boost the segment. Also, spends by the ad industry on VFX have been increasing.

To create a 3D film, film-makers can either shoot films in 3D or shoot in 2D and later convert to 3D at the post-production stage. The latter approach is preferred as shooting in 3D is expensive, time-consuming and has limited flexibility and greater complexity in editing and adding VFX at the post-production stage.

In 2012, ‘Star Wars I‘ and ‘Titanic‘ were re-released in 3D, generating box-office collections of $ 45 million and $ 54 million respectively. This indicates that there is a potential for 3D re-releases of older hits, especially given the relatively low conversion costs involved. After the release of ‘Avatar‘ in 2009, the number of 3D digital screens exploded worldwide from 3,800 in 2008 to approximately 43,000 in 2012. Also, in 2012 a deal was signed between China and US allowing 14 foreign made movies into China every year which is a 70 per cent increase in the current quota of 20 films. However, to qualify for the list the movies have to be in 3D or Imax technology. Ficci KPMG report has given the examples of companies like Prime focus which did 2D to 3D conversions for films like ‘Green Lantern‘ and ‘Clash of the Titans‘.

Related Topics:Clash of the Titans FICCI-KPMG Star Wars VFX industry

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Applications

Moltbook, the AI-only social network, sparks hype, doubt and fear

Published

1 week ago

February 3, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

CALIFORNIA: Moltbook, a Reddit-style social platform built exclusively for artificial intelligence agents, has emerged as the latest obsession in Silicon Valley, drawing intense attention for its explosive growth and surreal bot-driven interactions.

The platform hosts more than 100 communities where AI agents post, argue and joke about topics ranging from governance theory to esoteric “crayfish debugging” concepts. Within days of launch, Moltbook recorded tens of thousands of posts, nearly 200,000 comments and more than 1 million human visitors observing the activity.

Yet the numbers and the autonomy are under scrutiny, as per media reports. A security researcher has suggested as many as 500,000 accounts may trace back to a single address, raising doubts about Moltbook’s membership claims. Many posts could also be the result of humans instructing their AI tools to publish content, rather than bots acting independently.

The platform runs on agentic AI, powered by an open-source tool called OpenClaw, formerly known as Moltbot. Unlike chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini, these agents are designed to perform tasks on users’ devices, from sending messages to managing calendars, with minimal human input. Once authorised, they can interact freely on Moltbook.

Some tech figures have hailed the platform as a glimpse of a post-human internet. Head of crypto custody firm BitGo Bill Lees, called it evidence that “we’re in the singularity”.

Academics are less convinced. Petar Radanliev, an AI and cybersecurity expert at the University of Oxford, said the idea of agents acting independently was “misleading”, describing Moltbook instead as automated coordination within human-set constraints. Columbia Business School assistant professor David Holtz, dismissed the spectacle as “thousands of bots yelling into the void and repeating themselves”.

Beyond hype, security worries loom large. ESET global cybersecurity advisor Jake Moore, warned that granting AI agents access to emails, private messages and files risks prioritising efficiency over privacy. Andrew Rogoyski of the University of Surrey said high-level system access could lead to serious damage, from erased data to compromised company accounts.

Even OpenClaw’s founder Peter Steinberger, has felt the darker side of attention, with scammers hijacking his old social media handles after the platform’s rebrand.

For now, Moltbook remains a strange digital zoo: part experiment, part spectacle, where AI agents banter about philosophy, productivity and, occasionally, their fondness for their human operators.

Applications

Apple appoints Avtar Ram Singh as head of international marketing

Published

1 week ago

February 2, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

CALIFORNIA: Apple has handed a bigger global brief to a long-time insider. Avtar Ram Singh has taken over as head of international marketing for the App Store, Apple Arcade and the Apple Games app, deepening his remit across one of the company’s fastest-growing businesses.

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of international marketing, App Store, Apple Arcade and Games App at Apple,” Singh said while announcing the move.

The promotion crowns nearly seven years at Apple, where Singh has led services marketing across Southeast Asia and India and previously served as head of marketing for Southeast Asia content and services, business lead for Apple Podcasts in the region and interim marketing lead for the App Store internationally.

His new portfolio spans three pillars of Apple’s services push. The App Store, which Apple positions as a safe and trusted discovery platform, now attracts more than 850 million average weekly users globally. Since 2008, developers have earned over $550 billion on the platform.

Apple Arcade, the company’s gaming subscription service, offers unlimited access to a catalogue ranging from brain teasers to big-name franchises. The recent addition of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Arcade Edition brings a AAA PC title to iPhone, iPad and Mac from 5 February.

Then there is the Apple Games app, unveiled at WWDC as a unified destination for games from the App Store and Arcade. It aggregates titles in one place, surfaces personalised recommendations, tracks events and achievements, and lets users compete with friends or connect controllers for a console-like experience.

Singh arrives with a hybrid background in strategy, data and creativity. His career spans digital and social media marketing, business intelligence, content, editorial and analytics across culturally diverse markets. He has worked on brands including P&G, Accor, Audi, UBS, Nikon, Samsung, Sony, Pizza Hut, HBO and Singapore Airlines-linked businesses such as Scoot.

Before Apple, Singh led strategy at Falcon Agency, focusing on performance marketing and ROI-driven digital frameworks. He earlier ran the social practice at Publicis Singapore, where he oversaw operations, business development and regional social strategy for multinational clients. His career also includes roles at Ogilvy-linked Circus Social, Rocket Internet ventures Lazada and Zalora, and research firm IDC in Bangkok, where he analysed technology markets and won early awards for collaboration and client retention.

At Apple, he has been close to several service launches and expansions, including Apple Fitness+ in Singapore, Apple Creator Studio, global podcast subscriptions and new App Store marketing tools.

The timing is notable. Apple’s services business has posted record years, and gaming is becoming a sharper battleground as platforms chase engagement and recurring revenue. Singh’s brief sits at the intersection of content, community and commerce.

In a market where attention is scarce and loyalty scarcer, Apple is betting that sharper storytelling and smarter marketing can keep users inside its ecosystem. Singh now holds the megaphone. The real test will be how loudly the world listens.

Applications

Cloud nine in the capital Bharathcloud plugs Delhi into its AI plans

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Bharathcloud is bringing its cloud closer to power. The Hyderabad-based sovereign AI cloud services provider has opened its Delhi office, marking its formal entry into North India and setting the stage for its next phase of growth.

The expansion comes as India’s digital transformation fuels rising demand for AI-ready cloud infrastructure, driven by wider adoption of artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and data-heavy applications. With the new office, Bharathcloud plans to onboard more than 100 employees in 2026, strengthening its workforce to support customers across government, enterprises, MSMEs and social sectors.

The Delhi presence is expected to sharpen the company’s engagement with organisations seeking secure, scalable and cost-efficient cloud platforms that comply with India’s data sovereignty requirements. It also positions Bharathcloud closer to policy, public sector and enterprise decision-makers in the region.

Founded in Hyderabad, Bharathcloud offers AI-ready cloud infrastructure including Kubernetes-as-a-Service, zero-trust security architecture and multi-level data protection frameworks. Its platform supports AI and ML workloads, blockchain application migration from hyperscalers and distributed data management, with an emphasis on reliability, low latency and operational continuity.

“With the Delhi expansion, we are positioning Bharathcloud to engage more closely with AI-driven enterprises and technology hubs in North India,” said Bharathcloud co-founder Rahul Takallapally. He added that the move would help nurture local cloud and AI talent while accelerating the adoption of secure and resilient AI infrastructure across sectors.

The company currently operates in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow and Chennai, employing over 200 people and serving more than 1,500 clients across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, IT and media. Aligned with national initiatives such as Digital India and Make in India, Bharathcloud continues to focus on building indigenous AI-cloud infrastructure to support data localisation and the country’s growing appetite for next-generation digital solutions.

With its Delhi office now live, the company is signalling a clear intent: to make sovereign, AI-ready cloud infrastructure not just an alternative, but a mainstream choice for India’s north as well as its tech capitals.