Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC), a leading provider of 3D Animation, VFX, and Digital Design education, held special sessions featuring Pranay Agarwal, Head of Creative Operations at DNEG India, a distinguished alumnus of MAAC. These exclusive in-person sessions were scheduled for 24th July in Lucknow and 25th July in Kanpur, offering MAAC students an exclusive opportunity to learn directly from a leader shaping the future of global visual effects. These sessions were designed not just to inform, but to ignite ambition, demonstrating how technical excellence, perseverance, and a deep love for storytelling can create real-world impact.
Pranay Agarwal is widely regarded for his ability to build and lead high-performance VFX teams on some of the most ambitious projects. Beginning his journey at DNEG in 2011 as a compositor, his exceptional technical acumen and leadership saw him rise swiftly to Head of the Compositing Department in 2017 and, more recently, to Head of Creative Operations.
His contributions have been instrumental in landmark projects including the highly anticipated Ramayana, India’s biggest cinematic venture currently in production and already making waves globally, as well as Fast & Furious 9, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Tenet, Uncharted, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, Fighter, Sky Force, Munjya, Heads of State, Dune: Part One & Two, Murderbot, and several others that have redefined benchmarks in both Hollywood and Indian cinema.
Pranay Agarwal, Head of Creative Operations at DNEG India adds, “Returning to MAAC as a speaker is both an honour and a full-circle moment in my journey. It’s incredibly rewarding to engage with the next generation of talent and share insights from my experience. I hope to inspire students to pursue their passions with purpose, embrace every challenge as an opportunity, and recognise their potential to shape the future of cinema and digital artistry, both in India and on the global stage.
During these sessions, students had the unique opportunity to hear Mr. Pranay Agarwal share inspiring insights into the evolution of the VFX industry and the importance of adaptability in creative careers. He demonstrated a behind-the-scenes look at project workflows, emphasising collaborative strategies and practical approaches to creative problem-solving. Pranay also offered candid advice for students aspiring to have global careers in animation and VFX, drawing on his journey from MAAC classrooms to leading one of the world’s top VFX studios.
Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech Limited, and Brand Custodian, MAAC, says, “Welcoming Pranay Agarwal, an alumnus whose influence reaches from MAAC classrooms to Hollywood’s grandest stages, perfectly embodies our commitment to nurturing industry-ready talent. His journey is a powerful example of what can be achieved with dedication, technical excellence, and a love for creative storytelling.”
