With Dhurandhar, Vishal Tyagi Champions the Comeback of Practical SFX in Bollywood
When action feels real: Meet Vishal Tyagi, the man behind Dhurandhar’s special FX
In an era increasingly dominated by computer-generated imagery, a growing number of filmmakers are returning to the authenticity of practical effects to heighten on-screen realism. The recently appreciated special effects in Dhurandhar stand as a testament to this shift, where every explosion is not just visual, but visceral.
At the helm of these high-impact sequences is Vishal Tyagi, one of Bollywood’s leading Special FX experts, known for executing meticulously planned, large-scale practical effects that bring cinematic moments to life.
Vishal shared, “Tyagi Guns and SFX was founded in 1983 with a vision to bring authenticity to action on screen. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working on several international projects, including the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, Zero Dark Thirty, Extraction and now Dhurandhar. Our core expertise lies in executing real, controlled effects, from firearms to large-scale explosions. We believe in creating action that is tangible and immersive, which is why nothing we do is computer-generated. For us, realism isn’t an option, it’s the standard.”
With an impressive body of work that includes blockbuster franchises such as Jawan, Pathaan and many more. Vishal Tyagi has consistently pushed the boundaries of on-ground action design. His expertise lies in blending safety, precision, and spectacle, creating sequences that feel immersive and real, far beyond what digital effects alone can achieve. Recently Vishal Tyagi also won an prestigious award at an recent award ceremony for the special effects in Dhurandhar.
As filmmakers increasingly seek authenticity in storytelling, Special FX artists like Vishal Tyagi are redefining action cinema proving that sometimes, the most powerful visual effects are the ones that happen in real time.
