Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day – And Neither is Good VFX

By Trupti Ghosh

They say “Rome wasn’t built in a day”—and for good reason. Any masterpiece, whether it’s an architectural wonder, a timeless painting, or a breathtaking film, takes time to craft. In the world of VFX (Visual Effects), this truth holds stronger than ever. Creating seamless, world-class visual effects is not just about software and screens—it’s about time, patience, and vision.

Let’s draw a simple but powerful analogy. Even nature—arguably the greatest creator—takes its time. A human baby takes approximately nine months to develop fully in the womb. That’s nature’s perfect timeline. And while it may sound like a stretch, producing high-quality VFX is not too different. Rushing the process leads to compromises. Just as premature births often require extra care or face complications, rushing VFX delivery can result in visuals that don’t live up to their potential.

Yet in the Indian film industry, timelines are often razor-tight, and expectations sky-high. Filmmakers, producers, and even audiences expect results that rival Hollywood—often without the same level of investment, timelines, or creative freedom. This mismatch leads to frustration, underwhelming results, and unfair trolling of Indian VFX work. It’s important to remember that many of the artists behind Hollywood’s jaw-dropping visuals are Indian—working in global studios, given the time and tools to deliver excellence.

So the question arises—why not nurture that same excellence at home?

India has always been a melting pot of art, storytelling, and technology. Our mythology, our cinema, and our visual culture are rich with imagination. Combine that with our growing technical expertise, and we have all the raw materials needed to create something truly spectacular. The missing ingredient? Time & Budget.

Quality visual storytelling requires careful planning, iteration, and execution. It means allowing directors and VFX supervisors to push boundaries without being rushed. It means creating timelines that account for the creative process—not just delivery dates. It also means shifting the mindset: from "fix it in post" to "let’s plan it right from the start."

To the filmmakers: trust your artists and give them the room to breathe life into your vision.
To the audiences: know that your patience is an investment in the future of Indian cinema.
To all of us: let’s stop comparing apples to oranges. Let’s create our own benchmarks of brilliance.

Because when time, vision, and talent come together, magic happens—not just for the screen, but for the legacy of Indian storytelling.

After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but when it was, the world remembered.