Flicks with super natural powers, motorcycle-robbery dramas, animatronic alien, superhero stunts, breathtaking blasts and action-packed scenes are becoming money spinners at the BO. The 'phillum wallahs' are experimenting with high-tech formulas and the latest technology to try to make films a hit.

Have you ever wondered about the art form and technology involved behind this techie melodrama?

It was Hollywood moviemakers like Steven Spielberg who gave birth to the concept of science-fiction extravaganzas with E.T., Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds. But this fantasy fare (sci-fi) trend has gradually entered in our desi film industry. The almost-real effect in sci-fi films is the rest of extensive use of technology and digitization, which happens at three levels; production, post-production and distribution. Post-production has been the first to adopt the concept of digital technology, thanks to innovative technology arriving centre stage to revolutionize the face of cinema across the globe.

Now, technical innovations in Bollywood are reshaping the filmmaking process and helping the industry to capture the action in digital format. “The technical changes have resulted in Digital Intermediate (DI) process which is being used much more nowadays than ever before. It is basically a way of fine-tuning the picture quality and as such is very useful,” says noted cinematographer Mazhar Kamran. “I shot Satya on the streets and railway platforms of Mumbai. It was guerrilla style filming for a guerrilla style film and people nowadays try to create that look by using DI. The biggest change has been in the way we edit films. No one works with film prints any more. It is all done on software based editing systems, either Avid or Final Cut,” he says. “The digital format is the new technological revolution sweeping the film and entertainment industry around the world. And, Bollywood is going full throttle to use digital technology and innovations to enhance story talking,” agrees Producer-Director, Harry Baweja.

It was the dramatic entry of 'Mr. India' on the silver screen, which opened the doors for sci-fi adventure in tinsel town. After that, no other Indian director even gave a second thought to this genre and sci-fi & special effects were placed in the deep freeze for quite a while. Also, sci-fi flicks loaded with special effects demanded massive budgets and proved too costly. But things gradually started improving, Bollywood pulled up it socks to finally experiment with sci-fi themes. Remember, 'Jaado' from the Hrithik Roshan starrer Koi Mil Gaya (2003)? The theme was carried forward in the sequel Krrish (2006) that won millions of hearts and worked big time at the BO.

Then we saw the Priyanka Chopra-Harman Baweja starrer, Love Story 2050, which made extensive use of technology and mind-boggling special effects to create a time machine, 200 storied buildings, personal robots and sky rails! “We used the best VFX technology, but the film was made keeping in mind Indian audiences and their tastes”, says Harry Baweja.

“The graphic treatment and visual effects are the biggest hurdles in such movies and software like Smoke and Luster from Autodesk Fusion and Maya are used to achieve stylized and authentic look”, says ace Editor Merzin Tavaria, who has edited many action- packed movies like Qayamat and Karam.

Now, the latest talk of the town is Roadside Romeo, an animated flick with truly world-class animation, starring the voices of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jaffery. Next in line is Robot, with a purported Rs 1 billion budget.

Guess what? The time is not far away when a Bollywood love triangle would be an actor, an actress and a robot.

“It is really good that technology is improving in Bollywood, future of digital format and sci-fi films is really bright”, says Film Critic Indu Mirali. “But technology and visual effects can never take place of a good script” she adds.

We only need to fasten our seat belts. New innovations will diversify the tastes of the Indian audiences. The technological advancement has also given the Indian cinema a huge boost and Hollywood better watch out!