The Hindu Business Line : VCL order book set to spur Tata Elxsi growth

A BUSY order book in the area of visual effects, special effects, animation and computer graphics during this fiscal has prompted Visual Computing Labs, a division of Tata Elxsi Ltd, to look into the possibility of leapfrogging its revenue growth during the next fiscal.

Visual Computing Labs (VCL), which is on a growth trajectory, is currently focusing its efforts on strengthening its position in animation and graphics."Our order book is very busy. We have projects in all our areas of expertise," said Mr K. Chandrashekhar, Head - VCL.

VCL was recently involved in design animation work for the movie Hum Tum.

Other Bollywood films in VCL's kitty include Netaji by Shyam Benegal, Swades by Ashutosh Gowarikar and Dhoom by Yashraj Films.

VCL's expertise spans across three segments - feature films, advertising films and overseas work from Hollywood studios.

Tata Elxsi ended 2003/2004 with a net profit of Rs 17.54 crore (Rs11.68 crore) on net sales of Rs 153.48 crore (Rs 109.6 crore). Officials declined to elaborate on VCL's contribution to Tata Elxsi's topline.

Mr Chandrashekhar was not willing to disclose the margin profile of VCL's work but said fact that scope for value-addition in Indian projects was higher than in overseas projects.

"In the case of Bollywood films, we visit shooting sites and sometimes do make suggestions on shots so as to align with the special effects or the computer graphics that are to go into the film," Mr Chandrashekhar said.

Each of these segments was governed by different set of dynamics, he said.

"In Bollywood alone, you have projects operating at two extremes - either open to high quality work or those not exposed at all to changing technologies. Ad films are governed by budgets allocated," he said.

In Hum Tum, VCL was responsible for 20 minutes of animation and visual effects. The film has transition sequences from cell animation to live and from live to live sequences.

VCL is currently involved in a Hollywood project for special effects but officials declined to name the film. It is also working on 3D animation projects.

VCL's three facilities - one in Mumbai and two in Bangalore - are manned by a combination of employees and consultants.

As is the case with many entertainment service provides, VCL also faces the problem of inadequate talent in animation, computer graphics and special effects, said Mr Chandrashekhar.