Chennai: Three years back when S Abhaya Kumar, director, FrameFlow (India) Private Limited, invested in visual effects operations in Chennai, many viewed the effort with sceptism, including officials from the Software Technology Park of India (STPI). Today, the former sceptics laud his "bold vision".

The US-based digital production studio Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc has acquired 50.1-per cent stake in FrameFlow (India) Private Limited, now renamed Imageworks India

The parties to the deal declined to disclose any numbers - the deal size or the turnover of FrameFlow. According to Jenny Fulle, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Imageworks, two/three years down the line the Indian company will do a turnover of $20 million. According to rumours the acquisition price is $5 million.

With more visual effects work to flow from Sony Pictures, the Indian company has drawn up plans to increase its headcount from 80 and shift to a 300-seat building. Imageworks India now has 67 artists and 15 animators said Krishnakant Mishra, visual effects director.

Speaking about Imageworks India co-managing director Hitesh Shah said, in the last three years the company has worked on more than 12 movies and Sony Pictures is the major client. The Indian company had provided visual effects for Sony Pictures movies like Click, Ghost Rider and Spiderman 3.

Post stake sale, Imageworks India will be a captive base for Sony Pictures as it will use many proprietary software to its new parent.