Meet Prakash Mehta | Co-Founder at Lumapix Creative Studios

We had the good fortune of connecting with Prakash Mehta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Prakash, why did you pursue a creative career?
Both Amal (Co-Founder at Lumapix) and I have had a strong inclination towards art and crafts since childhood. With my family’s support, I pursued my passion further by enrolling in an animation school, where I met like-minded individuals who shared similar thoughts about the creative world. During our days at the animation school, we collaborated on various projects, whether part of our assignments or competitions. Storytelling has always been the core drive that led us to pursue creative careers after completing our animation programs. Since then, we have been weaving stories through our artistic endeavors, whether for ourselves or for creative people across the globe, across different mediums such as films, short films, music videos, and more.

What should our readers know about your business?
It began with the two of us wondering what to do next in life after mutually deciding to resign from our previous jobs due to some differences. As fate would have it, we started our freelancing journey a few months later. Unsure of where to go next and determined not to return home, we kept trying. After spending a significant amount of time in our initial place of work, Udaipur, Rajasthan, we decided to try our luck in Mumbai, the city of dreams. With high hopes, we moved forward with a single goal in mind: to keep learning.

Mumbai had much in store for us. The projects we encountered demanded us to create things beyond our initial capabilities, pushing us to improve our craft. During our time in Mumbai, we worked on projects such as Niraj Pancholi’s “Cosmic Light,” Mazdak Taebi’s “The Blind Owl,” and Neeraj Pandey’s “Baby” (our first Bollywood venture). These experiences enhanced our creative prowess and helped us become better artists, managers, and collaborators.

In 2017, we decided to return to our hometown in Guwahati, where we laid the foundation for working with talent from Northeast India on various projects, each with its own challenges and joys. During COVID-19, we embarked on an ambitious project: creating a short film with zero budget. Our first short film, “Neo Guwahati,” depicted a futuristic version of our hometown with a cyberpunk backdrop. With a team of just three people, we managed to achieve this feat and received accolades from international film festivals worldwide.

Post-COVID, we aimed to grow significantly and expand our team. We started working closely with filmmakers from the UK indie film market, delivering high-quality visual effects and animation. Over 1.5 years, we delivered VFX for 22 feature-length films and five music videos, including K-pop and Canadian independent artist music videos. Our most recent work with a U.S. based production is nearing its completion and expected to be released on either of the streaming giants Netflix, or Amazon. Our vision of empowering Northeast India’s youth remains steadfast. We have grown from a team of two to sixteen, with no background in business studies but with clear goals in mind.

Our unshakeable willpower has brought us to where we are today, successfully producing our short film “Floppy,” backed by a stronger team of artists who helped tell the story more visually appealingly. Our next venture is a feature film with a backdrop of action and mystery mixed with humor. Lumapix is set to grow manifold in the coming years, creating a place in the hearts of its people and setting the bar high as a brand remembered for years to come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our city, Guwahati, is surrounded by greenery and is often called the gateway to Northeast India due to its location, connectivity, and cultural vibrancy. If my best friend were to visit here, we’d first head straight to the Kamakhya Temple, one of the most revered shrines in India. The history and spiritual ambiance of the temple would set the tone for an enriching trip after receiving blessings from the Guardian of our City.

The next day, we’d venture into the wild at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s the perfect spot to see the majestic one-horned rhinoceros in their natural habitat. After a thrilling morning, we’d enjoy a peaceful picnic by the Brahmaputra River, followed by a serene sunset cruise, watching the sky paint the river in hues of orange and pink.

Then, I’d take my friend to places that serve the best ethnic foods here. The scrumptious thalis, which consist of some of the best non-vegetarian food in India, would be our everyday meal. We’d explore varieties such as Assamese thali, Bodo thali, Naga thali, Khasi thali, and Nepali thali. Thali is life, I needn’t say more. My favorite place for an Assamese thali is Souka, in Beltola, which is pretty close to our studio.

For shopping, we’d head over to Fancy Bazar and its vibrant wholesale markets, where you can find almost anything you wish for, much like a physical Alibaba.com.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For us, the primary shoutout goes to our supportive families who, despite hardships, encouraged us to pursue this journey. Several collaborations have also helped improve our work quality and advance our professional development. A notable mention goes to Niraj Pancholi, who worked with us in 2016 to create stunning visuals for his short film “Cosmic Light,” which won the award for Best VFX at the 8th Delhi Shorts International Film Festival, in addition to receiving notable mentions at various film festivals worldwide. I would also like to thank my wife, Pinky Sinha, who has been a constant support and source of empowerment, not just for me but also for Lumapix’s successes. I believe the universe places people at the right times in our lives to elevate us, and I am grateful to have met so many.

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Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCEiZA-CdalKCZa4lFYYhI2Q