[FRAMED] Lighting & Lookdev TD, Sri Pavan Dheeraj Bangaru, Mumbai

If you could travel back in time, which film, TV series, advert, or immersive project would you love to have worked on?

I wish I could have time-traveled to work on The Lord of the Rings, Inception, Jurassic Park, and Avatar. These milestone VFX films — each pioneering in its own way, from blending practical and digital effects to merging stunts with seamless VFX, introducing lifelike CG creatures, and redefining performance capture and world-building — perfectly capture my passion for innovative, invisible VFX that makes the impossible feel real.

Which Framestore character do you feel you’re most like?

If I had to sum it up:

→ My heart’s like Paddington.

→ My brain’s like Rocket.

→ My work ethic’s like Iorek.

What fictional world or place would you like to visit?

Hogwarts / Wizarding World (Harry Potter): I’d wander through the castle’s moving staircases, secret passages, and enchanted ceilings, spend hours in the library, fly a broomstick, and try my hand at potion-making.

Wakanda (Black Panther): I’d explore its advanced Vibranium-powered technology, futuristic architecture, and breathtaking natural landscapes, especially the sacred waterfalls.

Pandora (Avatar): I’d immerse myself in its vibrant ecosystem — from floating mountains to bioluminescent forests — ride a banshee, and experience the planet’s living, pulsing heartbeat.

Your career highlight to date:

Solving complex challenges and bringing ideas to life with clarity, creativity, and a touch of magic.

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in VFX?

1. Emotional / Passionate:
I’ve always been captivated by the worlds movies can create. Watching VFX bring the impossible to life inspired me to pursue a career where I could help turn imagination into reality.

2. Technical / Professional:
I was drawn to VFX for its blend of creativity and technology. Films like Inception and Avatar showed me how innovative techniques can push storytelling to new, immersive heights.

3. Casual / Relatable:
As a kid, I’d watch movies like Jurassic Park and think, ‘How did they do that?’ That curiosity never left — and eventually led me to VFX, where I get to help create the magic behind the scenes.

The DREAM project would entail:

The DREAM project would entail designing and executing complex visual effects sequences, including modeling, animation, simulation, rendering, and compositing, to create immersive cinematic experiences.

How do you explain what you do to someone who doesn’t work in VFX?

I create things on screen that don’t exist in real life… yet!

Describe your career journey into the exciting world of VFX.

My VFX journey started with a fascination for movie magic, leading me to learn animation, compositing, and visual storytelling. I’ve since worked on diverse projects, pushing boundaries and collaborating to bring stories to life, fueled by my passion for crafting captivating experiences.

What does a day in the life of a Lighting and Lookdev TD look like?

Turning imagination into explosions, magic, and monsters — VFX artists live in every frame.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Visionary. Imaginative. Pioneering.

Best thing about your work environment?

The best thing about my work environment is the collaborative and creative energy. Everyone brings their own expertise and ideas, and there’s a real sense of support and teamwork, which makes even challenging projects exciting

Framestore is great at:

Framestore is great at bringing imagination to life!

Favorite artform?

My favourite art form is photography. I love capturing portraits, landscapes, events, and documentary-style moments, using my skills to tell authentic stories

Favorite image?

Every frame that tells a story!

What’s your favourite movie/ series/ advert/ immersive experience and why?

Movie: Inception — Imaginative, precise, and brilliantly layered storytelling paired with practical VFX where every visual choice serves the narrative.

Series: Black Mirror — Creatively and morally challenging episodes that explore the impact of technology; visually inventive and conceptually bold.

What is the last piece of art that inspired you?

Everything Everywhere All at Once really inspired me. Films like Avengers: Endgame, Interstellar, Inception, Avatar, and Jurassic World show how VFX can push boundaries, blend seamlessly with practical effects, set new benchmarks, and elevate storytelling — creating immersive worlds that truly evoke emotion.

How do you unlock your creativity?

I watch films, study concept art, photography, and real-world textures. My creativity often comes from cross-pollination — observing how different mediums solve visual or emotional problems and adapting those insights into my own work.

From where do you seek inspiration?

I draw inspiration from people’s stories — the way artists, filmmakers, and dreamers turn imagination into reality.

Nature and light also inspire me; the interplay of shadows, colours, and movement often feels like visual poetry.

I’m energised by technology and innovation, especially when new tools open up new forms of expression.

And, of course, music and film — their rhythm and storytelling always spark fresh ideas.

Who in the industry do you admire most and why?

I deeply admire Arvid Schneider for the way he blends artistic vision with technical expertise in look development. Beyond his exceptional work, I’m inspired by his commitment to sharing knowledge and empowering other artists. He truly embodies the spirit of continuous learning and creativity that defines the VFX industry.

Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received:

“Your first pass is never your best. Keep refining, testing, and asking yourself: Does this serve the scene, the emotion, the story? It’s often the small, thoughtful tweaks that create the real magic.”

What tech/innovation could you not live without?

I couldn’t live without my system and my phone — they’re my gateway to work, creativity, and staying connected.

What tech/innovation deserves the hype?

AR/VR in practical applications — beyond gaming, these technologies are reshaping training, remote collaboration, architecture, and immersive storytelling. When done well, they truly feel like an expansion of human capability.

What tech do you need that hasn’t been invented yet?

A true AR/VR fusion system — something that blends digital and physical reality so seamlessly you can’t tell the difference. It would transform work, travel, and learning experiences. Ideally, it would go beyond bulky goggles and move toward something like lightweight lenses or even direct retinal projection.

Dheeraj Bangaru, you’ve been [FRAMED].