Welcome To My New Website on Special Effects in Indian Movies!
Computer graphics and other gimmicks are capturing Indian movies in a faster pace. Although many movies copy special effects from English movies, most of the fans are able to make out the plagiarised version. But there were admirable special effects during the pre computer graphics/animation era in Indian movies. Marcus Bartley, Ravikant Nikaich and ofcourse Vittalaachaariya (!) have taken a major share in bringing special effects for Indian audience.

I would like to recall the special effects in the wonderful movie "Maya Bazaar"(released in 1957). In fact it may require one full web page for describing about the movie. However, some of the classic splfx in the movie are:1. While Vatsala (heroine) was sleeping, Gadodhgajan enters her bedroom and takes her with the cot (!) which flies in the air. The director's adroit attention can be observed when notice that the side screens covering the cot move to the center to fill the gap when the cot vanishes!2. The vessels, dolls (including a dancing doll set which is rotating), chappals and jewels appear out of nowhere and roll into the various shop shelves to form a particular arrangement when Maya Bazaar was created, out of nowhere from a parchment showing the floor plan of the bazaar.3. When Gadodhgajan fights with Arjun (hero) arrows with different effects were darted. Some of them spit fire, sparkle and one arrow spits water to extinguish fire in the air. Compare it with the present day mythical movies where they show arrows hanging in the air and you can easily make out either the blue mat effect or their hanging by wire!4. Rakshas sent by Gadodhgajan come as forest fire to approach the hero to destroy him. The way the fire spreads outbeats today's computer animated fire effect.5. The way magic carpet folds and rolls to threaten the guests (Sharma & Sasthri) is simply superb.6. Although many more effects from the movie can be recalled, the major attraction of the movie was the song where Gadodhgajan sings before eating the entire feast prepared for the guests who have come to attend the marriage. When he sits to eat, the vessels roll and arrange themselves infront of him. He tries to eat one big Laadu ( a sweet item) and realises that he is in an ordinary man's size. Then he increases his body size several times more than normal. Still he does not want to eat the items one by one. He gesticulates and the items fly and go to his mouth! The special touch of the scene lies when he finishes all the meals and takes his staff (Gadha) and he realises that it was in its original size i.e. a palm size compared to his present giant size. He smiles sarcastically and vanishes!Each and every scene was carefully carved, designed and directed in the movie. Though it is a black & white movie of late 50's, it still is a superb entertainment. Believe it or not; there are many people who have seen this movie more than 25 times! And imagine all these effects were taken during pre-computer effects era.
More information on special effects in Indian Movies will be added before 10th February 2000. Come back again.

Important Note: I have received a few queries from some directors/producers about including special effects in their movies. I could not respond to them immediately due to my busy schedule and I sincerely apologize for the same. Kindly wait for my personal reply-mail. I have already sent some notes etc. for those who contacted me for their research project. Hope it was useful for their research.
I request you to send your comments, suggestions, etc. to splfx_india@yahoo.com

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If any picture or reference in this page is objectionable, kindly let me know so as to enable me to remove the same immediately. I request you to send me your comments /suggestions and pictures if any, relating to special effects and points, anecdotes, etc. for developing this page to be a more interesting and useful one. Thank you.Mail to : splfx_india@excite.com