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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD FEBRUARY 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 32

97TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Indian film producer Namit Malhotra’s

firm scripts history with 8th Oscar award

For Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus, CEO of DNEG,

and producer of the upcoming Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Ramayana’, this marks DNEG’s eighth
Oscar win and India’s seventh Academy Award victory

OUR BUREAU
Los Angeles/Mumbai

ndian film producer Namit Malho-
tra’s production company, DNEG,
Imade history for India as it bagged
7th award for the country and 8th for
the company at the prestigious Visual
Effects Oscars. The company received
recognition for its outstanding work
on the Timothee Chalamet and Zen-
daya-starrer, ‘Dune: Part Two’.
For Namit Malhotra, founder of
Prime Focus, CEO of DNEG, and
producer of the upcoming Ranbir Ka-
poor starrer ‘Ramayana’, this marks
DNEG’s eighth Oscar win and India’s
seventh Academy Award victory.
DNEG is a leading visual-ef-
fects (VFX), animation, and cre-
ative technology company that has
worked on some of the biggest
Hollywood films. The award was
accepted by DNEG VFX Supervi-
sors Stephen James and Rhys Sal- The Oscar award was accepted by DNEG VFX supervisors Stephen James and Rhys Salcombe, along with Production VFX Supervisor Paul
combe, along with Production VFX
Supervisor Paul Lambert and Spe- Lambert and Special Effects Supervisor Gerd Nefzer (MPAA photo)
cial Effects Supervisor Gerd Nefzer.
This marks DNEG’s eighth Os- Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, in the visual effects industry, winning “The director is the captain of the
car win since 2011. The company has Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård. the Oscar for films like Dune: Part ship, and we must capture every word,
previously won the Visual Effects Os- While speaking to reporters, the One (2022), Tenet (2021), First Man every nuance of what the director
car for ‘Dune: Part One (2022)’, ‘Ten- producer not only expressed his ex- (2019), Blade Runner 2049 (2018), Ex thinks, feels, and imagines. Our chal-
et’ (2021), ‘First Man’ (2019), ‘Blade citement but also discussed how the Machina (2016), Interstellar (2015), lenge is how to take that and apply it
Runner 2049’ (2018), ‘Ex Machina’ company’s track record of winning and Inception (2011). using our technology and artistry. To
(2016), ‘Interstellar’ (2015), and ‘In- Oscars over the years is a “rare ac- When asked about the secret be- me, that’s the most basic yet the most
ception’ (2011). complishment” in the industry. He hind DNEG’s consistent success, Na- powerful way to create a seamless ex-
Namit Malhotra, who is also the also thanked his team for their dedica- mit shared that the company always perience. Ultimately, most visual ef-
founder of Prime Focus, is producing tion and hard work. “I think it’s a ter- prioritizes the “director’s vision” and fects that win these Oscars are award-
the upcoming film Ramayana, direct- rific outcome. It’s not just the eighth mentioned how understanding the ed not because of the stunning display
ed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ran- Oscar; it’s also the fact that we’ve director’s ideas and emotions plays a of technology or talent, but because
bir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. won seven Oscars in the last ten years, key role in delivering “high-quality vi- they seamlessly fit into the story,” Na-
Based on the second half of Frank which I believe is a very unique record sual effects”. mit added.
Herbert’s 1965 science-fiction novel, in itself. I can’t imagine anyone else, “Now that we’ve had a few wins, DNEG is a leading visual effects,
‘Dune: Part Two’ follows Timothée or any other company, having had the a lot of people have asked me about animation, and creative technology
Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he joins good fortune to say that. I’m incredi- our secret. Honestly, some of the company that has worked on some
the Fremen and strives to free the bly thankful and appreciative of all my most complex things are done in the of the biggest Hollywood films. The
galaxy from the Harkonnen empire, artists, technologists, and filmmakers simplest way, as they always say. The award was accepted by DNEG VFX
which is responsible for his father’s who have trusted us to reach this out- basic reality is that we’ve always been Supervisors Stephen James and Rhys
death. Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, come, which I am immensely proud a company that prioritizes the direc- Salcombe, along with Production VFX
Christopher Walken, and Léa Sey- of,” said Malhotra. tor’s vision. That’s the core of how we Supervisor Paul Lambert and Special
doux join the original cast of Zendaya, DNEG has been a dominant force operate,” he said. Effects Supervisor Gerd Nefzer.

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