Streaming giant Netflix on Thursday launched its flagship visual effects and virtual production hub, iLine Studios, in Hyderabad. The move is a major strategic move by the company in India’s rapidly growing animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector. Revanth Reddy, Telangana IT Minister Sridhar Babu, Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju and actor-producer Rana Daggubati were present at the inauguration ceremony. Jeff Shapiro was also present.
Netflix launches iLine Studio Hub in Hyderabad; Ted Sarandos highlights India’s creative potential
Founded in 2019, iLine Studios serves as Netflix’s innovation hub where practical filmmaking meets next-generation technology. In 2025, the studio integrated with Scanline VFX – a visual effects powerhouse founded in 1989 – to create a creative force operating across three divisions: Studio, VFX and Labs.
The Hyderabad facility is iLine’s fifth global location after Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seoul and London. Spread over 32,000 square feet, the new office is equipped with advanced technologies for visual effects and generative virtual production, supported by hybrid cloud infrastructure.
The studio’s proprietary capabilities include Light Dome volumetric lighting systems, LED volume stages, 4D capture systems, and AI/ML-powered production tools. Its credits include global productions such as Happy Gilmore 2, Wednesday, Stranger Things and Daredevil: Born Again.
Addressing the launch via a video message, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described iLine as the company’s production innovation hub. “When creators imagine something bold and new, the question shouldn’t be, ‘Is it possible?’ It should be, ‘How do we make this happen?’ And iLine exists to answer that question,” Sarandos said.
He said India remains one of the most dynamic storytelling markets globally. He said, “India is one of the most dynamic storytelling markets in the world with exceptional creative voices, technical depth and production scale. We are also encouraged by the strong national focus on the AVGC sector. The Indian government’s focus on creating 2 million skilled jobs in the sector by 2030 signals confidence and optimism, and we are committed to supporting this vision.”
Sarandos further said that Netflix hopes to see more innovation and content creation coming out of India. He said, “Creative technology is not just culture, it is potential, jobs, exports and future-ready skills. iLine Hyderabad can meaningfully contribute to that momentum.”
Speaking at the event, Jeff Shapiro, CEO of iLine Studios, praised the growth of India’s VFX industry and highlighted the creative and technical talent present in the country. “I am amazed by the scale and superiority of visual effects in Indian films Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, RRR, Kalki 2898 AD And Baahubali: The Beginning. Over the last two decades, the visual effects industry has evolved here,” Shapiro said.
Actor-producer Rana Daggubati described the launch as a milestone for the Indian film industry. He told reporters, “For the last 20-25 years, we have been building a visual effects industry and that has made Telugu cinema such a big cinema. It is because of those artists and minds. I think it is a great time for anyone looking for a career in this field.”
According to Daggubati, Hyderabad provides the right ecosystem for a facility like iLine Studio. “The facilities that a film artiste gets in Hyderabad are not available in other parts of the country. The infrastructure is also in place to continuously support the film makers,” he said.
