VFX in Hollywood and Bollywood: A Comparative Study
Introduction
Visual Effects (VFX) has revolutionized the way stories are told on the big screen. Whether it be Hollywood’s breathtaking sci-fi landscapes or Bollywood’s larger-than-life fantasy sequences, VFX has become a huge huge part of filmmaking across the world. But, while both industries utilize similar technologies, their approach, execution, and storytelling philosophy differ greatly. And its important to know such differences when you’re looking to make a career in the industry.
Hollywood is famous for its cutting-edge realism in VFX, making lifelike creatures, de-aging actors, and building photorealistic worlds, and even bringing back actors to the screen who have passed away. Bollywood, however, adopts a mythological, spectacular way of approaching things, commonly utilizing VFX to augment the classic narrative.
In this blog, we’ll look into the key differences in how Hollywood and Bollywood use VFX, exploring examples from both industries, and examine how Noida International University’s BFA in Animation & VFX prepares students to work in both markets to truly become a globally well rounded graduate, ready to break into the industry.
1. Budget and Investment in VFX
One of the main differences between Hollywood and Bollywood is the level of investment in VFX-heavy films.
- A-list Hollywood movies spend anywhere from $100–300 million just for VFX!
- Movies such as Avatar (2009), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Dune (2021) take years to hone their craft, and it often ends up being worth the time put in.
- Hollywood studios collaborate with the best VFX houses such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta Digital, and Framestore, which go all out with CGI to get what they envision of these movies.
- Bollywood movies, even big-budget ones, spend $10–30 million to VFX. Nothing compared to high end Hollywood blockbusters.
- While this is significantly less than Hollywood, Bollywood still manages to create great VFX-heavy movies like Brahmāstra (2022), Baahubali (2015), and Krrish 3 (2013). But it’s also very clear that the use of VFX has taken place, while sometimes getting overlooked in Hollywood movies.
- Indian VFX houses like Red Chillies VFX, Prime Focus, and NY VFXWAALA are rapidly catching up with the rest and are undoubtedly the leaders of the pack.
The point to note here being that Hollywood’s larger budgets premit for photorealistic, top notch VFX, while Bollywood uses budget friendly methods and stylized visual effects to achieve grandeur.
2. Storytelling and the Role of VFX
VFX is employed in varying forms based on cultural storytelling traditions. Here are some examples so that you get a better understanding.
- Hollywood often aims for realism—creating digital aspects to appear as though they belong in the real world.
- For Instance: In The Jungle Book (2016), all animals were complete CGI, but designed to be photorealistic.
- For Instance: The Lion King (2019) was made through the process of virtual reality filmmaking, and the animation and live-action cinematography went hand in hand
These methods have however recently drawn some criticism. As people believe they take away from the spectacle and rarely create magical and enticing character designs. Simba will always be considered more iconic in the animated films than the variations being created now.
- Bollywood adopts fantasy, mythology, and spectacle-based narration.
- Example: Baahubali (2015) employed VFX to render gigantic mythological kingdoms, gravity-defying action, and over the top battle sequences.
- Example: Brahmāstra (2022) employed VFX to animate Hindu mythology and supernatural themes in a stylized form.
The recent jumps Bollywood has been making has garnered quite a lot of praise.
Key Takeaway: Hollywood aims for unseen VFX, and CGI elements seamlessly integrate into reality. Bollywood opts for theatrical, exaggerated VFX to produce visually dramatic spectacles.
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3. Technology and Software Used
Industry standard software is used by both industries, but Hollywood studios also create custom VFX tools for their productions
- Commonly Used VFX Software:
| Software | Used for |
| Autodesk Maya | 3D modeling & animation |
| Houdini | Physics simulations (fire, water, destruction) |
| Adobe After Effects | Compositing & motion graphics |
| Nuke | High-end compositing & green screen effects |
| Unreal Engine | Real-time VFX & virtual production |
Hollywood’s Custom Technology
ILM’s StageCraft (used in The Mandalorian) builds real-time digital environments sets with LED screens rather than green screens.
Weta Digital created custom AI-driven de-aging for The Irishman (2019), which made actors look decades younger than they actually were.
Bollywood’s Advancements in VFX
- Ny VFXWAALA’s CGI work in Shivaay (2016) produced realistic snowfall and avalanche effects.
- Red Chillies VFX (owned by Shah Rukh Khan) pioneered Indian motion capture technology in Fan (2016).
Key Takeaway: Hollywood boasts custom-built VFX tools, while Bollywood is catching up by adopting global industry-standard software.
4. Notable VFX-Heavy Movies: Hollywood vs. Bollywood
| Hollywood Film | Notable VFX Work |
| Avatar (2009) | Full CGI world of Pandora, motion-capture-driven character animation |
| Avengers: Endgame (2019) | Digital de-aging, CGI battle scenes |
| The Lion King (2019) | Entirely photorealistic CGI animals |
| Dune (2021) | Sci-fi landscapes, giant sandworms, digital cinematography |
| Bollywood Film | Notable VFX Work |
| Baahubali (2015) | Massive CGI kingdoms, stylized war scenes |
| Krrish 3 (2013) | Superhero CGI effects, motion capture |
| Brahmāstra (2022) | Mythological fantasy CGI, supernatural effects |
| Shivaay (2016) | Realistic avalanche and mountain VFX |
Once again, the Key Takeaway here being Hollywood is realism-oriented, while Bollywood is VFX driven for mythical and fantasy-based storytelling.
5. Noida International University’s Role in Preparing Students for Both Industries
At Noida International University’s BFA in Animation & VFX program, students gain hands-on experience with:
- Advanced VFX techniques used in Hollywood (realism-driven CGI, photorealistic effects) and hence learning what it takes to make it in the global market.
- Fantasy-driven VFX used in Bollywood (stylized animation, mythology-based effects) which aids students get a foothold in the industry which they have perhaps grown up on.
- Industry-standard tools like Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, and Nuke, to make sure you’re up to date with the latest industry standards
- Live projects with VFX production houses to gain real-world experience and slip in seamlessly into the industry.
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Why Choose NIU?
Expert faculty with academic and industry experience.
Experiential learning through projects, internships, and collaborations.
Tailored curriculum addressing the dynamic needs of the industry.
Access to a diverse and vibrant campus community with state-of-the-art facilities.
Why Noida International University?
- Top Notch labs with everything you’ll need to get accustomed to the industry standards.
- Industry-expert faculty with experience in both Hollywood and Bollywood projects giving students incredible insight into the behind the scenes and industry norms.
- Internship & placement support with top VFX studios to help students build a career even after their time here at Noida International University.
By learning both Hollywood’s realism-driven VFX and Bollywood’s spectacle-driven VFX, Noida International University students graduate as versatile VFX artists ready for global careers.
Although Hollywood and Bollywood have very different and unique ways of approaching VFX, both industries rely on digital effects to provide compelling cinematic experiences which cater to the audience they deal with the most. Hollywood is driven by photorealism and technical innovation, while Bollywood focuses on fantasy, mythology, and spectacle-driven storytelling, each catering to the audience which view them.
For aspiring VFX artists, understanding both industries is incredibly important to gain an understanding of the global work, and open yourself up to limitless work opportunities. And with training from Noida International University’s BFA in Animation & VFX program, students gain the skills to succeed in Hollywood, Bollywood, and beyond.
