Sam Bhattacharjee is an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of VFX company “Final Post Ltd”. He is excited to announce PINK VFX, the world’s first women-led initiative to empower women in the film industry. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with Sam Bhattacharjee in an exclusive chat about this new initiative. Excerpts..

How did you come up with this initiative?

Sam Bhattacharjee- The idea for Pink VFX stemmed from years of observing a consistent gender imbalance in the VFX space. Despite immense creative talent across the board, I noticed that women were not finding enough pathways to leadership or long-term growth within the industry. I wanted to create a platform that actively nurtures and elevates female professionals, not just as artists, but as supervisors, producers, and decision-makers. Pink VFX is built to change the structure, not just the statistics.

VFX is still a male-dominated industry. Will this initiative encourage more women to enter this industry?

Sam Bhattacharjee- That is exactly the goal. It is not just about getting women in the door, it is about keeping them there and helping them rise. We want women to see that VFX is a space for them to thrive creatively and technically. Through mentorship, training, and real leadership opportunities on major projects, Pink VFX aims to make that a lived reality. Representation matters, and so does creating a culture where women are supported, heard, and credited.

Are you satisfied with the kind of VFX happening in Indian films?

Sam Bhattacharjee- There is some truly outstanding work being done in India, especially when budgets and timelines align with creative ambition. But I also think we are just scratching the surface of what is possible. We have the talent and the vision, but often face constraints in planning, budgeting, or early integration of VFX into the storytelling process. With better structures in place and early collaboration between directors and VFX teams, we can absolutely rival global standards consistently.

What do you think are the challenges of the VFX industry in India?

Sam Bhattacharjee- One of the biggest challenges is that VFX is still treated as a post-production fix rather than a narrative tool. That mindset affects everything: budgets, timelines, and how seriously the work is integrated into the filmmaking process. Another issue is talent burnout, caused by unrealistic expectations and over-compressed schedules. And of course, the lack of diversity in leadership continues to hold back innovation. The industry is evolving, but these are structural gaps we need to address for long-term sustainability.

Do you think the audience is welcoming to VFX effects in Indian films?

Sam Bhattacharjee- Yes. The Indian audience has grown tremendously in terms of visual literacy. They are watching global content daily, so expectations are high. What they respond to is authenticity. If VFX is used meaningfully to support the story and not as a distraction, they embrace it wholeheartedly. When done right, VFX can amplify emotion, scale, and spectacle, and today’s audience is more than ready for that.

What are your upcoming projects?

Sam Bhattacharjee- We have recently wrapped Housefull 5, which has been a successful venture both creatively and commercially. The VFX for the film was led by our Pink VFX division, with Anjali Dwiwedi heading the team from the UK. She also led the Pink division on Sardarji 3, which has just completed, and features visually rich sequences rooted in cultural authenticity. These projects have been important milestones, showcasing the capability of women-led teams to deliver high-quality work on large-scale productions. Work is also underway on The India House, a geopolitical thriller that relies on nuanced CG environments and precise visual detailing. Further initiatives under the Pink VFX banner, including international collaborations and training programmes, are in development, and we look forward to keeping you posted.