GECs
Chandrakanta VFX creator Nikhil Sinha steps into training, starts Vertex School
MUMBAI: With the aim of upscaling the VFX standard in India, Triangle Films producer Nikhil Sinha has opened Vertex School of Visual Effects and Animation, a VFX institute. Known for the visual effects for shows such as — Mahakumbh, Chandrakanta, Shapath, Chandranandini, Devon Ke Dev Mahadev and Naagarjun, Nikhil Sinha owns a visual effects company titled Vertex Volt.
Vertex School of Visual Effects and Animation will be located in Ahmedabad, where students can enrol in the course with a lot of practice on projects. “We have done a study and realised that, in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, there are lot of learning opportunities, but, in places like Ahmedabad, the institutes are not so well-equipped. This is why I wanted to start from there, and will expand to other cities in near future.”
The institute will have a maximum 150 seats, with short-term courses (two months) to long-term courses of (two years) which will award a post-graduate diploma. The USP of institute is that — it is affiliated with universities and also has a secured job guarantee. The school will commence from 1 May. The fee structure of the institute depends on which course the students are taking.
For short-term course (four months), the fees is Rs 35,000 and Rs 1,90,000 for the long-term course (two years). Approximately, an investment of Rs 2 crore has been done in the venture by the producer.
Speaking about the venture with www.indiantelevision.com, Sinha said, “We launched this company in 2011 when we started work on Mahadev. As a technical person, I have been always inclined towards visual arts and effects. Also, I personally make shows which have a lot of VFX. I am someone who always tries to give something new to the industry. And when you work on shows which have loads of VFX, you understand your need more!”
He further added, “ We are starting with our first branch and then we will move to second one which will be in Baroda.”
Talking about his inspiration in the field of visual effects, Sinha asserted, “Peter Jackson and George Lucas are the people whom I look up to. Also, Lord of the Rings was the film which completely changed my views regarding special effects.” He adds, “When we started the company, channels must have thought that we are just another company which will say a lot and deliver little. But, with the success of Mahadev, people started believing in our vision. I can proudly say that Vertex Volt inspired the industry to make more VFX based shows. We made them believe that it is possible.”
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
