Arpan Gaglani of philmCGI Reflects on the VFX Success of 'Jubilee' at the 2023 Filmfare OTT Awards

In a major win for creative excellence, "philm"CGI took home the "Best VFX award" at the "Filmfare OTT Awards 2023" for their stunning work in the series *Jubilee*. As the digital entertainment industry continues to grow, the Filmfare OTT Awards—now in its third year—introduced technical categories to celebrate the behind-the-scenes artistry that brings stories to life. 

Directed by "Vikramaditya Motwane", 'Jubilee' was a sweeping success, earning a total of "nine awards", including Best Director, Best Cinematographer, and Best VFX, among others. This recognition highlights the exceptional collaboration across multiple teams to create a show that’s not only visually stunning but also deeply immersive.

"Arpan Gaglani", VFX supervisor and managing director at "philmCGI", who led the VFX efforts for "Jubilee", shared his excitement with "AnimationXpress", saying, "It feels amazing! It’s always a big moment when the hard work of the team is recognized. Filmfare is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious awards, so winning this is definitely a huge milestone for us."

Creating the VFX for 'Jubilee' was no small feat. With "1,200 VFX shots"  and a team of around '200 artists', the journey was an intense but rewarding one. Gaglani fondly reflected on the experience, noting that working with Motwane and the rest of the team was a joy, adding that Motwane’s clear vision made even the most complex shots easier to execute. One standout moment, he recalled, was the ship scene on the docks, which required detailed planning and execution to capture the perfect shot.

As the demand for high-quality visual effects continues to grow in the OTT space, Gaglani emphasized the evolving role of VFX in modern storytelling: *"VFX has become an integral part of filmmaking, not just for OTT but across all formats. Today, we’re involved from the script stage, working closely with directors, art directors, and DOPs to plan how VFX can best enhance the story."*

Looking ahead, the "Best VFX win" is expected to have a lasting impact on "philmCGI", boosting their profile and opening up new opportunities for bigger, more ambitious projects. Gaglani shared that they are already hard at work on some exciting upcoming releases, including "Zoya Akhtar’s 'The Archies' on Netflix, as well as several new series and feature films.

In an industry where technology and creativity intersect, "philmCGI’s' victory at the Filmfare OTT Awards highlights the transformative power of VFX in shaping compelling stories. Their success with 'Jubilee' not only sets a high standard for the future but also reaffirms the essential role of VFX in today’s cinematic landscape.