Rolling... and Action!: Technological Innovations in Indian Cinema

From movie cameras that captured a sequence of photographs onto a filmstrip in quick succession to the present-day digital cameras that shoot every frame with superb quality, Indian cinema has truly come a long way. In the age of VFX, CGI, and OTT, what are the innovations that shaped Indian Cinemas into what it is today?

Technological Innovations in Indian Cinema  |  Image source: pch.vector on Freepik

When was the last time you watched a movie? Or maybe, a better question in the age of OTT would be, when was the last time you saw a film in a movie theatre’? The landscape of Indian cinemas has changed drastically over the years. From Raja Harishchandra (1913), the first Indian movie that came on the big screens, to Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), a true feat of visual effects and CGI, the Indian film industry only seems to be getting more advanced, from the process of filmmaking to that of distribution — even the mediums through which we watch movies have also undergone a huge shift.

The Indian film industry is one of the largest and most vibrant in the world, producing over 1,000 films a year in a variety of languages and genres. Apart from dozens of innovations and breakthroughs, one of the most significant technological innovations in the Indian film industry has been the introduction of digital filmmaking. Digital cameras and high-quality editing and production software have made it possible for filmmakers to produce high-quality films. With improved technology, moviemakers are able to produce films with a fraction of the budget that was previously required.

Much of the Indian cinema industry uses drones and autonomous robots to shoot movie scenes. These drones have built-in software and algorithms related to filmmaking techniques. They can take steady shots and shoot movie sequences at different angles. They are also GPS-enabled, which allows these robots to be wirelessly controlled, making recording and shooting movie scenes much easier for filmmakers. They are small, lightweight, and remotely controllable, which allows filmmakers to shoot complex movie scenes with better ease. They are cheap and economical, which ensures the viability of film production under a tight budget.

Another major technological innovation has been the development of computer-generated imagery (CGI). The graphics of Love Story 2050 (2008), the first Hindi movie to use CGI, when compared to those of new movies like SS Rajamouli's RRR (2022), we can notice a vast difference. CGI has allowed filmmakers to create more and more realistic and visually stunning films. Moreover, CGI has also been used to create better and more creative films in genres like science fiction and fantasy.

SS Rajamouli's Baahubali: The Beginning movie used VFX in 90% of the scene.

Apart from the filmmaking realm, we also saw advancements in the distribution of movies. In the past, films were distributed primarily through theatres. However, with the rise of streaming services and a surge of OTT platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a change in the way people consume films. Indian films are now available on a variety of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar. Anyone with a phone and an internet connection can easily subscribe to one of these services and watch movies according to their preferences. OTT platforms have made it possible for Indian films to reach a global audience, benefitting both filmmakers and consumers.

In addition to the aforementioned technological innovations, the Indian film industry has also seen a number of other innovations in recent years. These include the use of virtual reality (VR) to create immersive cinematic experiences, the use of augmented reality (AR) to integrate digital elements into live-action films, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic and believable characters and environments.

These innovations are still in their early stages, but they have the potential to revolutionise the way Indian films would be made and experienced.

Technology innovation, thus, has a major impact on the way how we consume movies and other visual entertainment. It has increased access, diversity, and economic impact on cinemas. According to a report published by IAMAI and Kantar Research, India's internet users are expected to reach 900 million by 2025. As innovation and technologies continue to develop, the Indian film industry is poised to become a global leader in innovation.