Virtual Production is rapidly changing the way films are made across the world, and the technology now appears to be finding its way into Tamil cinema. Industry sources reveal that Mani Ratnam has decided to use Virtual Production for his upcoming film starring Vijay Sethupathi after witnessing the technology firsthand on the sets of filmmaker Jayendra's next project.

180 film director Jayendra is reportedly shooting his entire film using Virtual Production, making it one of the earliest Indian films to extensively rely on the technology. The unique workflow has drawn the attention of several industry veterans. Kamal Haasan, cinematographer P.C. Sreeram and filmmaker R. Balki are among those who visited the sets to observe the process. Mani Ratnam is also said to have been impressed during his visit, leading him to adopt the technology for his next directorial venture.

Unlike traditional green-screen filmmaking, Virtual Production uses giant LED walls that display digital environments in real time. These backgrounds are powered by game engines such as Unreal Engine, allowing filmmakers to capture realistic lighting, reflections and camera perspectives inside the camera itself. This reduces dependence on post-production while giving directors and cinematographers greater creative control during filming.

The technology has already transformed Hollywood filmmaking over the last few years. Disney's The Mandalorian popularised LED volume stages, while major productions including The Batman, House of the Dragon, Thor: Love and Thunder, Obi-Wan Kenobi, 1899, Dune: Part Two and Avatar: The Way of Water have successfully incorporated Virtual Production into their workflows. The technique helps recreate large-scale environments without travelling to multiple locations, making productions more efficient and cost-effective.

For a filmmaker like Mani Ratnam, who is known for his visual storytelling and technical finesse, Virtual Production could open up exciting creative possibilities. If the reports prove true, his Vijay Sethupathi starrer could mark a significant milestone for Tamil cinema, encouraging more Indian filmmakers to adopt one of the most advanced filmmaking technologies currently being used around the world.

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