Years before making Rs 400 crore 'Ramayana', Namit Malhotra mortgaged house to invest Rs 7 lakh into VFX business, took Rs 2 crore loan from bank: 'We would have become homeless'

Ever since Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana' was announced, producer Namit Malhotra has been at the centre of curiosity, with many wondering about the man backing one of Indian cinema's most ambitious projects, reportedly mounted on a budget of Rs 4,000 crore. A third-generation member of a film family, Namit's journey to becoming a filmmaker was far from conventional. He started his entrepreneurial journey at just 18, built a visual effects company from scratch and even saw his family home being mortgaged to keep his dream alive. His ultimate ambition was always to make a film on a scale that could compete with the best in the world.Namit's association with cinema goes back generations. His grandfather, MN Malhotra, began his career as a cameraman and went on to shoot 'Jhansi Ki Rani', regarded as the first Indian film shot in colour. His father, Naresh Malhotra, also ventured into film production and backed projects such as 'Shahenshah'. Growing up in a family immersed in filmmaking, Namit naturally developed aspirations of becoming a director.In an old interview with Komal Nahta on ETC, recorded nearly 15 years ago, Namit spoke about his early ambitions and how he eventually found his way into the world of visual effects.“I wanted to become a filmmaker. I was extremely focused growing up to become a director and make films. Around that time, my father started a new business. So it seemed like a good opportunity to fill the technological gap in our industry.”Recalling a conversation with his father when he turned 18, Namit said, “After turning 18, I was asked by my father what I wanted to do career-wise. I was not a very studious child. I didn’t enjoy studying, so I told him there are two things I don’t want to do. I don’t want to do your business, and I hate computers. Barring these two, advise me anything.”Namit later explained that he had intentionally ruled out the two career paths he thought his father might suggest, as his own interest lay in becoming a film director. However, an unexpected conversation during a flight introduced him to the possibilities of computer graphics and changed his professional trajectory.“I bumped into my father’s friend on a flight when he asked me what I wanted to do. It was during this conversation that I told him, ‘I want to become a film director, but my father wants me to take up computer graphics.’ The friend told me that computer graphics is like filmmaking. I got fascinated, but I am not good at drawing.”Intrigued by the idea, Namit enrolled in a computer graphics course, although the experience did not go quite as planned.“It was a three-month course. I believe in shortcuts. The instructor tried to teach me, but I couldn’t get interested. At the same time, there were some developments in post-production, and an opportunity came up to offer computer-based editing services.”Instead of pursuing the course further, Namit joined hands with the instructors and started a business out of a garage. The venture was established with an initial investment of around Rs 7 lakh, partly funded by his father and partly through a bank loan. Recalling those early days, he said, “None of us had any experience. I was 19, they were 21. We invested about Rs 7 lakh. My father funded some of it, and the rest was a loan from the bank.”The small garage operation gradually developed into a full-fledged studio. As the business expanded, the team rented apartments within the same building to accommodate its growing operations. By 2006, the company had established a presence across India.Namit has often credited his father for backing his ideas without questioning his ambitions. Recalling the unwavering support he received, he said, “I would only tell him, ‘I want to do this,’ and he would be like, ‘Then go do it.’ He even said, ‘I will put the house on the line, mortgage it.'”That faith came with considerable financial risk. At one point, the family home had to be mortgaged to secure funding for the business. Reflecting on the decision and the stakes involved, Namit said, “In 1997, I knew there was no bigger risk than this. My company’s turnover was Rs 75 lakh, and the loan we had taken was Rs 2 crore. I knew that if the business failed, our story would have been completely finished. After all, it was a new technology. We would have become homeless, as we had invested everything in it. I was 21. But without flinching, my father did it, maybe because I am his only son.”Apart from taking financial risks, Namit also built his company around the belief that talent and dedication mattered more than formal qualifications. He has maintained that a person's willingness to learn and passion for the craft were more important than their educational background. Citing an example from his own team, he said, “The boy who delivered chai to our team is now a core part of our team. Today, he is one of the most well-respected creative technicians in our company. He is very well-regarded in the industry.”Over the last three decades, Namit has transformed his venture into a globally recognised visual effects company, contributing to several Hollywood productions, including 'Avatar'. With eight Oscars associated with its work and achievements, the company has built a formidable reputation in the international film industry.Having spent years developing the technological expertise and resources required to execute large-scale cinematic projects, Namit is now backing his long-held ambition with 'Ramayana'. The Rs 4,000-crore epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor, marks a significant milestone in a journey that began with a teenager determined to make films, even if he had to take an unconventional route to get there.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!