‘Maya Digital Media‘ promoted by renowned Indian Film Producer/Director Ketan Mehta and acclaimed Actress, Producer and Director Deepa Sahi has joined hands with veteran Film Producer, Director Subhash Ghai‘s Mukta Arts to create the state of the Art Computer animation and Digital Visual Effects Studio ‘Maya Digital Studios”.

Ketan Mehta said, “Digital technology is completely changing the way we produce, distribute and consume entertainment. The concept of bringing the latest innovations in technology, combined with highly skilled manpower needed to provide the best available tools for Indian and International filmmakers to realize their illusions were the initial dream of Maya and now we are ready to deliver”.

Maya, started in 1997, has over the last 14 years done high quality, award winning animation and visual effects for established international clients. With investments from Intel Capital and Enam Securities Maya expanded to be one of the largest computer animation facilities in India. During this time it also started a very successful Computer Animation education programme called MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics) which soon spread to over 70 centres all across India.

Last year the investors decided to split the studio and education divisions and Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi, the original promoters, regained 100% ownership of the studio business. “We want to make Maya into a world class studio which can compete internationally and we zeroed onto Frank Foster the pioneer of Computer Animation in Hollywood to run the studio and take it to the next level” commented Mehta.

Frank Foster, American CG veteran, former original founding Vice President of ‘Sony Pictures Imageworks‘ USA, has taken over as Senior Director and COO of the studio operations of the company. Foster brings a wealth of experience in studio management having set up Sony Picture Imageworks USA, the first major CG school and studio in China (Shenzhen) and producing one of the first CG feature films in China with French comic book legend “Moebius”. Foster also spent two years as CEO of Tigar Hare Studios in North Hollywood where he outsourced many projects to India.

Maya Digital studio is now on a rapid expansion mode and is adding state of the art studio facilities at Film City, Mumbai and Goa.

Mukta Arts Ltd, the leading Film production and distribution house in India headed by Subhash Ghai, one of the most well known film makers from India, pioneered the corporatization of the Indian film industry. It also operates the prestigious ‘Whistling Woods Film Academy‘ which plans to work closely with Maya on professional workshops and internships.

Ravi Gupta of Mukta said “The synergy between Maya and Mukta Arts will bring about a qualitative change in Indian film industry. Technology and creativity is going to drive the future of entertainment and this studio will be at the cutting edge of this trend for India.”

When asked why he would be willing to shift his family to India Foster responded, “There are so many new opportunities now for digital filmmaking in India, when we started, outsourcing was considered too risky, now it‘s the other way around. Having done it in so many countries for these many years I‘m believe that India is unusually qualified because of its education system, the common use of English and through its large domestic film industry, which allows the actual understanding of Cinema. I’m convinced it’s becoming the international hub for Computer Animation and that Maya Digital Studios with nearly 14 years of experience can be the top destination for that international business”.