(March 10, 2025) At the recently concluded 97th Academy Awards, Namit Malhotra and his visual effects powerhouse, DNEG, etched their names in cinematic history once again. With a stunning Oscar win for Dune: Part Two in the Best Visual Effects category, DNEG secured its eighth Academy Award since 2011, while India celebrated its seventh Oscar triumph. As the CEO of DNEG and the visionary founder of Prime Focus, the parent company behind DNEG, Namit Malhotra has not only transformed the landscape of visual storytelling but also inspired minds that dare to dream beyond the screen.
Since Prime Focus acquired DNEG in 2014, we’ve had an incredible journey—from winning our first Oscar for Interstellar in 2015 to securing seven Academy Awards over the past decade. Working on Dune was particularly special, as we had already won an Oscar for visual effects on Dune: Part One. So, when Part Two came along, we had to ask ourselves: Can we raise the bar even higher? The outcome today clearly proves that we did.
Namit Malhotra
From the confines of a small garage in Mumbai to the dazzling heights of Hollywood’s biggest stage, Namit Malhotra’s journey is nothing short of cinematic. What began as a humble garage startup has evolved into a global VFX powerhouse showcasing the boundless potential of Indian innovation on the world stage. His team has long been producing award-winning work for filmmakers, contributing to films such as Interstellar, Oppenheimer, Kalki, Dune, Garfield, Brahmāstra, and many others.
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The third-generation filmmaker who began with a garage startup
Born into a family deeply rooted in cinema, Namit Malhotra was destined to be part of the industry. His grandfather, M.N. Malhotra, was the cinematographer for Jhansi Ki Rani (1953), one of India’s first colour films, while his father, Naresh Malhotra, was a film producer. Growing up in Mumbai, Namit was immersed in the world of filmmaking from an early age, shaping his passion for storytelling and visual innovation.
However, his journey was not one of mere inheritance but of innovation. In 1995, he enrolled in a computer graphics course that opened his eyes to the limitless possibilities of digital filmmaking. Shortly after, he transformed his father’s garage into an editing studio with three of his teachers.
From editing television shows like Boogie Woogie to working on blockbuster films, his drive for pushing boundaries led to the establishment of his company Prime Focus in 1997. By 2006, he took the company public, making it the first Indian VFX company to be listed on the stock exchange. Within a decade, Namit’s brainchild grew into India’s largest independent media services company, pioneering several technological firsts in Bollywood.
Namit Malhotra
The DNEG era and the global takeover
Namit Malhotra’s success in India set the stage for his company’s expansion into the global arena, first in the UK and later in the US. A series of strategic acquisitions followed, enabling Prime Focus to establish an international presence and bridge the gap between the East and the West.
The turning point in Malhotra’s career came in 2014, when Prime Focus acquired the renowned British visual effects company Double Negative, rebranding it as DNEG, with Namit at the helm as CEO. Before this milestone, he had already made his mark in the industry, contributing to groundbreaking 3D films like Avatar and Journey to the Center of the Earth. The acquisition propelled DNEG into a new era, transforming it into a global VFX powerhouse with a workforce that expanded from 700 to over 9,000, while also broadening its capabilities across visual effects, animation, and other creative services.
The results spoke for themselves. While DNEG had already won an Oscar before Namit’s acquisition, its success skyrocketed under his leadership, earning Academy Awards for films like Interstellar (2015), Blade Runner 2049 (2018), and Tenet (2021), amongst others. Working with legendary directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, DNEG became synonymous with high-caliber storytelling and innovation.
The art and science of visual effects
One of the key reasons behind DNEG’s success is the beautiful fusion of artistry and technology. “Technology and artistry are like two hands—one cannot function without the other. Our ability to balance both is what sets us apart,” Namit remarked.
DNEG’s work on Dune: Part Two has been widely celebrated, earning accolades across multiple prestigious platforms, including the BAFTA Film Awards and the Visual Effects Society Awards, before it recently claimed the Oscar. DNEG’s strong relationship with Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment has further solidified its standing in the industry. “Warner Bros. has been one of our oldest collaborators, and many of our Oscar-winning films have been produced under their banner,” he noted.
Bringing India to the world: The Ramayana Project
Beyond Hollywood, Malhotra has also left his mark on Bollywood, earning a National Film Award for his work on Brahmāstra. Now, he is setting his sights on an even more ambitious goal, bringing India’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience. His latest venture, a cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana, aims to be the ultimate showcase of Indian storytelling. “It’s incredibly humbling to have the opportunity to bring one of our greatest epics to life. This isn’t just a film—it’s a cultural moment,” he emphasized.
I am applying the learnings from my entire 30-year career to bring this epic to life because I truly believe that our culture, the Ramayana, and its characters will resonate with audiences worldwide, offering valuable lessons for everyone.
Namit Malhotra
He will be leveraging cutting-edge VFX to do justice to the scale and grandeur of the epic. “We now have the tools, the technology, the experience, and the Oscar wins to now do justice to Ramayana. Eight Oscars later, I think I’m ready to work on its grandeur,” he stated with conviction.
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The role of VFX in cinema: Merging art with technology
Visual effects (VFX) have revolutionized the landscape of cinema, transforming storytelling into a limitless visual experience. From the early days of practical effects to today’s hyper-realistic CGI, VFX has become an essential tool for filmmakers, enabling them to craft breathtaking worlds, impossible creatures, and gravity-defying action sequences.
Whether it’s the vast deserts of Dune, the mind-bending landscapes of Inception, or the cosmic grandeur of Interstellar, VFX bridges the gap between imagination and reality. More than just spectacle, visual effects serve as a storytelling medium, enhancing emotions, deepening narratives, and immersing audiences in ways never before possible. As technology advances, the line between the physical and digital realms continues to blur, ensuring that VFX remains at the heart of cinematic evolution, pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
A future full of possibilities
As the Academy Awards came to a close, Malhotra reflected on the magnitude of the moment. “I woke up to the news, and the messages and calls haven’t stopped since. It’s been a fantastic day for me and for everyone at DNEG,” he said.
With upcoming projects including Animal Friend (in collaboration with Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.) and The Garfield Movie, along with his ambitious Ramayana adaptation, Namit Malhotra is showing no signs of slowing down.
From a humble garage in Mumbai to the grand stage of the Academy Awards, Namit Malhotra continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. With each triumph, he and his team aren’t just collecting Oscars, they are shaping the future of cinema.
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