Rajamouli shot 'Varanasi' at Nagarjuna's motion-capture lab
25 Feb 2026

Acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli has inaugurated what is being called the most advanced motion capture facility in India, the A&M MoCap Lab at Hyderabad's Annapurna Studios.

The facility is a collaboration between Akkineni Nagarjuna's Annapurna Studios and Shobu Yarlagadda's Mihira Visual Labs, with Hollywood's Animatrik Film Design as the technology partner.

Rajamouli revealed 'Varanasi' used this facility
Film details

During the launch, Rajamouli also revealed that important sequences from his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran were shot at the facility.

"With the introduction of A&M's motion capture technology, that gap has finally been bridged. We utilized this facility in the making of crucial sequences in Varanasi and the results were simply fantastic," he said.

Nagarjuna called it a 'milestone for Indian cinema'
Industry impact

Nagarjuna called the launch a "milestone for Indian cinema." He said, "For decades, Indian filmmakers have aspired to tell large-scale stories that match global standards, but access to high-end technology was often a limitation."

"With A&M, filmmakers can now bring everything from epic adventures to intricate science fiction dramas and animation films to life right here in Hyderabad."

Yarlagadda stressed on creating advanced technology ecosystems within India for global competitiveness.

Take a look at the facility
Facility features

The A&M MoCap Lab boasts a 60-by-40-by-30-foot capture volume with Vicon Valkyrie VK26 cameras for sub-millimeter optical tracking precision and real-time data streaming.

It also has Unreal Engine for live virtual production previsualization and Stereo Head-Mounted Camera units for high-resolution facial performance capture, per Variety.

The facility is modular and can be disassembled and reassembled on location as per production requirements.

Its launch coincides with Annapurna Studios's 50th anniversary
Anniversary celebration

The launch of the A&M MoCap Lab coincides with Annapurna Studios's 50th anniversary.

The studio plans to open the facility to Indian and international filmmakers, game developers, and animation studios looking for a production partner in Asia.

This isn't Rajamouli's first technological collaboration with Annapurna; he had earlier launched India's first Dolby cinema processing facility at the same studio.