Makuta Effects expands internationally

Buoyed with the huge success of Telugu film "Eega", special effects company Makuta Effects is looking to expand its operations in India as well as abroad.

Makuta Effects India, a subsidiary of US-based Makuta Inc, not only plans to triple its headcount here, but will also improve technology with focus on research and development for new projects.

They plan to have 250 professionals in the next 12 to 18 months, Pete Draper, chief technical director, Makuta, told reporters here Tuesday.

After success of \'Eega\', special effects company Makuta Effects is looking to expand in the US and Britain.

Its studio in Hyderabad currently has 55 artists.

The company, which focused only on south India during last two years, is now looking for opportunities at national and international level.

Makuta's plans include opening a branch in the US and Britain.

"We are expanding. Things are looking up," said Draper, flanked by "Eega" director S. S. Rajamouli and producer D. Suresh Babu.

Makuta is currently in talks with two production houses, including one in Bollywood, for new projects. While the existing studio can handle a maximum of four projects at a time, it is working only on two projects to ensure high quality work.

"Eega" (which means housefly in Telugu), hit 1,200 screens globally earlier this month, and proved to be a big hit. It grossed Rs 46.2 crore worldwide in the first three days.

Makuta created the fly and the principal animation for it with all interacting elements. Claiming that with "Eega" the studio added a new dimension to the movies, Draper said they would be looking at newer dimensions.

"It was tough to make 'Eega'. It was not easy to get the character connected with the audience especially when the character has no facial expressions," said Draper.

"It is a proud moment for the Telugu film industry to break creative boundaries using technology to perfection," said Rajamouli, who played a key role by bringing together freelance artists Draper, Adel Adili of Iran and R.C. Kamala Kannan to set up Makuta.

Dasaradha R. Gude, chairman of Makuta Effects, said an investment of Rs.5 crore was made in the company and they were planning more investment to expand the operations.

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