Green Gold Animation Expands Into Telugu Cinema VFX

Green Gold Animation, the studio widely recognized for creating the children’s series Chhota Bheem, is diversifying its creative output by moving into mainstream theatrical cinema. The company’s VFX division has contributed significant work to the upcoming Telugu-language comedy-fantasy thriller Rākāsā, marking a strategic shift from kids’ content toward complex, character-driven cinematic projects.

Directed by Manasa Sharma and produced by Niharika Konidela under Pink Elephant Pictures in collaboration with Zee Studios, Rākāsā is scheduled for theatrical release on April 3, 2026.

A Silent Digital Lead

The film features a central character that is entirely computer-generated, representing a scale of digital character integration that is relatively unexplored within Telugu cinema. A defining characteristic of this character is that it does not speak, requiring the production to rely exclusively on animation, body language, facial expressions, and movement to establish an emotional connection with the audience.

Green Gold Animation’s VFX team was integrated into the project from the early stages of pre-production through to the final delivery. This collaboration ensured that the digital character remained consistent with the director’s vision and the overall production goals.

Murali Manohar Reddy, the VFX creative director and VFX supervisor at Green Gold, stated that the objective was to communicate emotional depth through visual performance. He noted that the process was not about reinventing technology but rather utilizing existing tools and processes with precision to support the narrative.

Technical Execution and Scale

The production of the digital character involved a team of more than 100 artists who executed over 750 CG shots. The technical scope of the work included detailed performance design, character animation, and fluid simulations.

According to the studio, the project was completed on schedule and within practical budgets. This was achieved through a focus on efficient workflows and rigorous planning during the production phase.

Rākāsā was a very interesting project for us because it pushed us to approach character creation differently. Building a fully digital character were every emotion had to come through performance and detailing.

Rajiv Chilaka, Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation

Chilaka further emphasized that delivering a project of this scale within real-world timelines reflected the strength of the internal teams and the successful collaboration with the filmmakers.

Industry Implications

This venture represents a significant evolution for the Hyderabad-based studio. By moving beyond the kids’ zone, Green Gold Animation is demonstrating its capability to handle the high-fidelity requirements of mainstream theatrical releases.

The move into the comedy-fantasy thriller genre allows the studio to showcase its ability to manage VFX-heavy narratives where the digital element is not merely a background effect but a primary driver of the story’s emotional core.