FutureWorks has shared with AWN and VFXWorld their work on Kesari: Chapter 2, which when release in April 2024, quickly became one of the year’s biggest hits in Indian cinema, earning ₹144.52 crore (approximately $17.3 million) within its first six weeks. A sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Kesari, the film shifts its focus from the battlefield to the courtroom, exploring the remarkable true story of Indian lawyer and statesman Chettur Sankaran Nair and his pursuit of justice in the wake of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Inspired by the book “The Case That Shook the Empire,” the film delivers a gripping portrayal of colonial resistance, political courage, and moral reckoning. To help bring this pivotal moment in Indian history to life, Dharma Productions turned to FutureWorks to provide visual effects, color grading, and camera rental services. In total, FutureWorks delivered more than 2,000 VFX shots, contributing from the earliest stages of pre-production through to final delivery.
Check out the VFX Breakdown Reel:
Building the story from the ground up
FutureWorks’ engagement with the project began early, as the filmmakers sought to visualize complex sequences and define the creative and technical direction of key moments in the film. Working closely with the director and production team, the studio’s artists produced detailed storyboards and previsualizations for major set pieces, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and recurring sequences set on a period train platform.
“Previs was crucial not only for aligning on the story beats and visual style but also for practical production planning,” explains VFX Supervisor Vinay Chuphal. “It gave us a way to test shot composition, environment layouts, and lighting, and helped the team identify challenges early — especially for scenes that would be fully CG or shot against green screen.”
The previs assets enabled production to approach these complex sequences with a clear roadmap, enabling the filmmakers to achieve their vision with confidence while maintaining historical authenticity.
Precision planning with on-set data capture
FutureWorks supported the production team on set, capturing an extensive range of reference data to ensure seamless integration in post. This included LiDAR scans, HDRI domes, high-resolution stills, and chrome and grey ball photography, as well as color charts used to match lighting and ensure consistency across scenes.
This data was critical for environment and lighting reconstruction, particularly in sequences that relied heavily on digital environments. Once the edit was locked, the FutureWorks DI team, led by Senior Colorist Tushar Desai, delivered balanced EXR plates directly from the grading timeline. These production-ready plates — along with all associated metadata — were then fed into the studio’s ShotGrid-based Flow pipeline, giving the VFX team complete visibility and control over shot progress and review.
A full CG reconstruction of Jallianwala Bagh
Among the most technically and emotionally demanding sequences in the film was the recreation of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a defining and tragic moment in India’s struggle against British colonial rule. Because the historical site has changed significantly over the last century, the team at FutureWorks digitally rebuilt the entire environment to reflect how it would have looked in 1919.
Working from archival photographs, historical records, and location references, the VFX team created an authentic CG version of the site, including period-accurate architecture, alleyways, and landmarks. This approach gave the filmmakers complete creative control over camera movement and shot design, while preserving the integrity and emotional weight of the scene.
“The massacre sequence was especially challenging because it needed to feel grounded and respectful,” notes Chuphal. “It wasn’t about spectacle; it was about honoring the gravity of the event. So, the visual effects had to serve the emotion, not distract from it.”
Bringing the past to the platform
Another key challenge came in the form of the train platform scenes, which recur throughout the film. Due to limitations in accessing usable period-accurate locations and rolling stock, these scenes were shot entirely on greenscreen. FutureWorks was responsible for digitally constructing the platform, trains, surrounding architecture, and atmosphere.
The team not only built the assets in CG but also handled the seamless integration of actors into the environment. This included managing green spill, complex lighting interactions, and close-up interactions between live-action performances and digital elements.
“Invisible effects like these require precision and nuance,” says Chuphal. “Every pixel has to feel natural, or it breaks the immersion. For us, success meant no one noticed the VFX.”
Invisible VFX with emotional impact
Across the film, FutureWorks delivered a range of invisible effects, from environment extensions and crowd simulations to digital blood, bullet impacts, and environmental destruction. These elements were particularly crucial during the Jallianwala Bagh sequence, where practical effects were minimal on set due to space and safety constraints.
Crowd scenes were built and animated using Golaem, a crowd simulation plugin that enabled the team to create dense, reactive groups with period-appropriate costumes and behaviors. Lighting and look development were handled in Katana, while compositing was done in Nuke. The bridge between Katana and Nuke allowed for rapid iteration and real-time previews, enabling the team to maintain a consistent tone and meet tight delivery schedules.
“Our goal was always to support the story,” says Chuphal. “The effects shouldn’t pull focus; they should deepen the impact of what the audience feels.”
A trusted creative partner
What set this project apart was the close collaboration between FutureWorks and the film’s creative leadership. As a long-standing partner of Dharma Productions, the studio had previously built strong relationships with the director, cinematographer, and production designer that proved essential in meeting the demands of the film.
“Being involved from the outset meant we could approach challenges holistically,” says Chuphal. “We weren’t just receiving plates and delivering shots, we were actively shaping the storytelling language of the film.”
That trust enabled rapid problem-solving on set, smoother handovers in post, and creative alignment across departments helping the film stay on schedule and on vision.
A story worth telling
For FutureWorks, Kesari: Chapter 2 was more than just another project; it was an opportunity to contribute to a powerful, historically significant story with global resonance. The studio’s work not only helped elevate the cinematic language of the film but also preserved the emotional weight of its message.
“It was a privilege to work on a film with this level of historical and cultural importance,” says Chuphal. “We approached every shot with care technically, yes, but also with empathy. It’s the kind of work that reminds you why you got into this industry in the first place.”
With over 2,000 visual effects shots delivered and a production partnership spanning previs to post, Kesari: Chapter 2 stands as a testament to FutureWorks’ capacity to support complex storytelling at scale delivering technically ambitious work that remains grounded in truth, history, and heart.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
