11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
India's unique AI integrated virtual production hub announced in Tamil Nadu
In a move set to redefine film infrastructure in South Asia, UK-based SRAM & MRAM Group and Paradigm Pictures have announced a ₹3,000 crore investment to develop a 100-acre, tech-integrated virtual production campus in Tamil Nadu. Unveiled during SRAM & MRAM's 30th anniversary at Raven's Ait on the Thames, the project blends advanced AI-rendered environments with real-world sets to create a hybrid model of cinematic production.
The complex will feature twelve LED volume stages, equipped with AI-driven rendering engines and 360-degree 4K displays, allowing filmmakers to build photorealistic virtual worlds in real time. This technology, popularized by productions such as The Mandalorian, is expected to see rapid global expansion. Research from Deloitte suggests virtual production could cut traditional film shoot times by up to 25% and reduce production costs by nearly 30%—a transformative impact in an industry constrained by rising budgets and logistical complexity.
Unlike traditional backlot studios, the
Tamil Nadu hub
will also incorporate fully operational physical sets—including functional hospital wards, university classrooms, village streetscapes, and urban replicas of cities like Mumbai and Chennai—all designed to extend seamlessly into virtual environments. Proprietary anti-glare display systems and adaptive lighting technologies will ensure realism during mixed-reality shoots, eliminating post-production masking typically required with green screen.
Powering this infrastructure is a 30MW solar farm, aligning the initiative with global moves toward sustainable media production. By minimizing location-based shooting and reducing construction waste through modular digital-first design, the campus is projected to lower environmental impact by up to 80% compared to conventional facilities.
In a notable integration of education and production, the facility will also launch a tech-forward training academy in partnership with National Award-winning and BAFTA-affiliated talent, aimed at building regional capacity in visual effects (VFX), virtual cinematography, and real-time rendering. Mr. M.G. Sekhar, former MP from Tamil Nadu, and Mr. Vengateshwaran Sekhar of Sapthagiri Group of Colleges are collaborating to bridge educational, governmental, and community linkages.
Cinematic strategist Mr. Asish Pandit, known for his decades of experience across Indian and international productions, will oversee implementation. 'This project is not just about building sets—it's about building ecosystems for a new generation of storytelling, where AI, design, and physical craftsmanship coexist,' he stated.
The film city will also feature AI-controlled smart residences, AR-enhanced visitor experiences, and a digital asset management system for storing and licensing content. Early projections estimate the facility could create over 10,000 skilled jobs and contribute ₹1,200 crore annually through film tourism, post-production services, and tech exports.
By positioning India as a viable location for large-scale virtual production, the project offers a future-facing blueprint for how the global film industry can evolve at the intersection of culture, sustainability, and technology.
