With a filming schedule and process like no other Indian film to date, owing to the extensive use of Motion Captured Photorealistic Technology, director Soundarya Rajnikanth Ashwin shot 'Kochadaiiyaan' with Deepika in a record two days, since each expression and motion were recreated on screen after capturing every gesture permutation by the talent. This would later be manipulated to create the desired action on screen for each star, who would be photorealistic.
Sporting a specially designed body suit with track points on the joints of the body which infrared light picked up and transferred onto screens, ready to be animated, Deepika, sans makeup, shot for the film and two entire songs in 48 hours.
Once Deepika's physical appearance and structure was projected onto screen, makeup was applied along with other details.
Insiders have said that since the film is set in a mythological era, Deepika's look was in-keeping with that period. Her look, style and personality had to be sketched on paper first and then created on screen via expert technicians through the motion capture technology.
Speaking about Deepika's filming, Soundarya said: "When I first approached Deepika with Kochadaiiyaan, she was a little apprehensive and had several questions pertaining to the filming process, how the technology would work, and most importantly, how she would look! Once those questions were cleared she was fully committed to the project. She's a thorough professional and she worked with us to ensure we complete her filming portions in 48 hours. She gave flawless takes and had all of us impressed with her enthusiasm and drive. She was quite relieved to not be wearing make-up for a film for the first time in her career."
'Kochadaiiyaan' is set to blaze a trail globally in cutting-edge Motion Capturing with Photorealistic Technology, as it rivals and transcends the technological capabilities of Hollywood masterpieces 'Avatar', 'Tin Tin' and 'Beowulf'.
South Indian megastar Rajinikant is cast as the archetypal superhero in the epic dramatisation of good versus evil. He performs a dual role with the reigning Queen of Indian Cinema Deepika being paired opposite the younger character.
They are joined by current and veteran stars of North and South Indian Cinema such as
Jackie Shroff and
R. Sarathkumar for a global, Pan-Indian cinematic treat.
The film will release worldwide this December.
