The Origin Story of
Makuta VFX
The Vision Takes Shape (2010)
The seeds of Makuta VFX were sown during the production of the epic film Magadheera (2009), directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The visual effects for the film — which went on to win a National Film Award — were created through the collaborative efforts of Adel Adili and R.C. Kamalakannan, along with a dedicated team of technical and creative professionals.
This successful collaboration revealed a critical gap in India’s VFX landscape: the need for a cutting-edge, globally competent visual effects studio that could deliver quality at scale.
In 2010, drawing inspiration from their experience on Magadheera, Adel and Kamalakannan initiated plans to build such a studio — one that would redefine cinematic visuals in India and establish an international benchmark. Their shared vision was the catalyst that led to the formation of Makuta VFX.
Adel Adili
Adel Adili’s journey into the world of art and visual storytelling began in 1983, when he was accepted with top
Pete Draper
Pete Draper is a highly experienced professional in the visual effects (VFX) industry, with over 25 years of experience. He’s
Dorababu Venkata Achanta
Dorababu Venkata Achanta is a prominent figure in the Visual Effects (VFX) industry, with over 12 years of experience. He
RC Kamalakannan
R. C. Kamalakannan is a highly experienced and award-winning Visual Effects (VFX) Supervisor and Producer in the Indian film industry.
Raja Koduri
Raja Koduri is an Indian computer engineer and business executive with extensive experience in computer graphics hardware and architecture. He
Dasaradha R. Gude
Leda jan, here is information about Dasaradha R. Gude: Dasaradha R. Gude, often referred to as “GD,” is a highly
The Founding Team and the Name : From Vision to Identity
Soon after the idea took shape, Pete Draper, a renowned VFX artist and technologist, joined the founding team. His decades of experience in computer graphics and storytelling execution helped solidify the practical and creative framework of the studio.
Legendary director S.S. Rajamouli also supported the initiative in its early stages with creative guidance and trust — which later translated into landmark collaborations on Eega and Baahubali.
To bring the vision to life, key backers joined:
Dasaradha R. Gude (Mr. GD) — a prominent figure in Hyderabad’s tech scene with ties to Cute Solutions and AMD.
Raja Koduri a graphics industry visionary with senior roles at AMD and Intel, who provided technical insight and strategic input.
It was Raja Koduri who eventually proposed the name Makuta, during one of many virtual brainstorming sessions. The word, rich in Indian symbolism and cinematic elegance, was unanimously embraced.
MAKUTA - Founding Team
15 Apr 2010 – From Right : A Adili , R Koduri , SSR , GD , A Khan , P Draper , Kamalakannan
The Logo: An Icon Designed on the Fly
As the company moved toward official registration in Hyderabad, there was an urgent need for a company logo. Without delay, Adel Adili took it upon himself to sketch a visual identity that embodied the studio’s ethos — combining clarity, modernism, and ambition.
Though initially meant as a placeholder, the logo was so well received that it became the official, enduring symbol of Makuta VFX. It would go on to appear on dozens of blockbuster films, symbolizing quality, innovation, and creativity.
Building the Foundation: Hyderabad and Santa Clara
Makuta VFX was formally established in September 2010, with headquarters in Hyderabad and an operational footprint in Santa Clara, California. The studio rapidly gained recognition for its expertise in complex CGI, photorealistic animation, and large-scale cinematic VFX sequences.
From the outset, the company invested in top-tier hardware, software, and R&D infrastructure, and assembled a team of highly skilled artists, developers, and producers.
Awards, Recognition & Industry Impact
🎬 Breakthrough Project
Eega (2012)
First major project under the Makuta VFX banner
Collaboration with director S.S. Rajamouli
Received multiple awards and international recognition
Cemented Makuta’s reputation as a top-tier VFX studio in India
🏆 Awards & Accolades
National Film Award for Best Special Effects
Magadheera
Eega
Baahubali: The Beginning
Filmfare Award for Best Visual Effects
Eega
CineMAA Award for Best Visual Effects
Eega
🎥 Major Film Projects
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)
2.0 (2018)
Saaho (2019)
RRR (2022)
Multilingual & Technological Expansion
Worked on projects across multiple languages:
Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Chinese, and English
Introduced LiDAR scanning to the Indian VFX industry — a pioneering first.
Acclaimed Filmography
Makuta VFX’s extensive credits include:
Ghajini (2008) – Hindi
Magadheera (2009) – Telugu
Enthiran (2010) – Tamil
Maryada Ramanna (2010) – Telugu
7aum Arivu (2011) – Tamil
Badrinath (2011) – Telugu
Sri Rama Rajyam (2011) – Telugu
Eega (2012) – Telugu/Tamil
Nenokkadine (2014) – Telugu
Manam (2014) – Telugu
Aagadu (2014) – Telugu
Yamaleela 2 (2014) – Telugu
Gopala Gopala (2015) – Telugu
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) – Telugu/Tamil
Nannaku Prematho (2016) – Telugu
Brahmotsavam (2016) – Telugu
Nagarahavu (2016) – Kannada
Theri (2016) – Tamil
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) – Telugu/Tamil
Spyder (2017) – Telugu/Tamil
Legion (2017) – English
Rangasthalam (2018) – Telugu
Naa Peru Surya (2018) – Telugu
Kaala (2018) – Tamil
Saakshyam (2018) – Telugu
Savyasachi (2018) – Telugu
Taxiwaala (2018) – Telugu
2.0 (2018) – Tamil
Thugs of Hindostan (2018) – Hindi
Zero (2018) – Hindi
Genghis Khan (2018) – Chinese
Saaho (2019) – Telugu/Hindi
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) – Telugu
Mamangam (2019) – Malayalam
Pushpa: The Rise (2021) – Telugu
RRR (2022) – Telugu
Radhe Shyam (2022) – Telugu/Hindi
Sita Ramam (2022) – Telugu
Cobra (2022) – Tamil
Godfather (2022) – Telugu
Varisu (2023) – Tamil
Shaakuntalam (2023) – Telugu
Agent (2023) – Telugu
Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023) – Tamil
Jawan (2023) – Hindi
Leo (2023) – Tamil
Ahimsa (2023) – Telugu
Mujib: The Making of a Nation (TBA) – Bengali
The Final Act: A Legacy That Lives On (2022)
In 2022, after over a decade of groundbreaking work, Makuta VFX officially concluded its operations. Yet, its legacy endures — in the films it helped shape, the artists it mentored, and the industry standards it redefined.
Makuta was more than a company — it was a collective force, a training ground, a family. Its name continues to inspire the Indian VFX ecosystem, and its spirit lives on in every frame it helped create.
