May 06, 2026 7:30pm IST
‘Drona’ Director Goldie Behl, Who Made A VFX-Heavy Film In 2008, Says, ‘I Am Very Keen To See Ranbir Kapoor As Ram And Yash As Ravana, I Loved The Scale And VFX In The Teaser’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Filmmaker Goldie Behl who has been creating shows for TV and OTT in recent years, is now looking to return to film production. In the past, he has directed movies like “Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai” (2001), “Drona” (2008) and “London, Paris, New York” (2012). Priyanka Chopra and Abhishek Bachchan’s “Drona” made on a budget of close to ₹50 crore was one of the most expensive and VFX-heavy movies of its time. However, it tanked at the box office earning just around ₹15 crore, which resulted in a huge loss. In a conversation with Variety India, Goldie Behl shares how "Drona" in a way, pioneered the start of VFX in Hindi films. He also reflects on making another VFX-heavy film now, big spectacles films are now drawing audiences to theatres.
“Drona” was, in a way, ahead of its time given that mythology and fantasy genres are currently on every producer’s slate, however, the director isn't planning to revisit the genre, "No, I don’t feel that way. I don’t believe anything is before its time. Obviously, the film didn't appeal to the audience, so it didn't work. That's the schooling that I come from.”
Related Stories
In 2017, Goldie also directed the Star Plus show, “Aarambh - Kahaani Devsena Ki,” which was one of the costliest projects to be ever made on Indian TV. However, it wrapped up quickly as the ratings did not match the broadcaster’s expectations. He states, “I would give credit to 'Drona' and 'Aarambh' for starting off trends and journeys. The problem with the first step is that it’s always the stepping stone. Someone makes a mistake and learns from the same. When others follow, they know what to avoid. We did a lot of work for Indian VFX at that time. We set up certain pipelines of work which are still very relevant.”
Elaborating on how Indian studios lacked even screening rooms to gauge the standard of VFX at the time, Goldie reveals, "Every time we had to print it out and take it to the cinema hall to see it on the big screen. So, we created a VFX company in which we installed digital projections inside the screen. Back then, training people on VFX and working on a 4K resolution was a big thing. We did a lot of stuff that benefitted the industry. I feel 'Drona' had that purpose.”
Goldie believes “Drona” came at a time when filmmakers dished out dramas around the lives of NRIs. “I made an Indian film,” he asserts. However, he is clear he does not want to make another movie like 'Drona' even if the genre is striking gold at the box office right now. “Firstly, the thought of making another 'Drona' does not excite me and secondly, the problem with flagship is that it’s always under scrutiny. There is an old saying in Hollywood that you can always be hot or stay warm. So, I am happy to be warm rather than being hot and cumbersome."
However he is excited that the film industry now has access to technology, and now its more affordable, "Technology and AI that has become available to makers here. It's made things much cheaper,” he opines. He is happy that the industry is now making films like 'Ramayana' for the global audience. Talking about the criticism around the teaser, he says, “I think Indians have to get used to accepting that Indians are doing it first. I am sure 'Ramayana' will be an extraordinary film. I am very keen to see Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Ravana. I loved the scale and VFX of what I saw.”
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.