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Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency & Basilic Fly Studio Meet

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Basilic Fly Studio recently had the opportunity to meet with MIDAS – Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency to explore new opportunities in Greater Manchester, UK and understand how the region supports international businesses through a strong, future-focused growth ecosystem. This interaction reflects our continued intent to deepen our presence in the UK creative economy and explore expansion possibilities aligned with the evolving needs of the global VFX industry.

A special mention to Mr. David Hilton for sharing valuable perspectives on Greater Manchester’s strengths, support frameworks, and collaboration pathways that can help shape long-term partnerships. We also appreciated connecting with Mr. Shine Prathap and Ms. Sejal Bothra, and exchanging insights on the region’s Industrial Strategy Zone, innovation ecosystem, and the role of research and development (R&D) in driving sustainable business growth.

During the meeting, MIDAS outlined how Greater Manchester is building a globally competitive environment through investment support, industry partnerships, and R&D-led innovation. The region’s focus on collaboration between businesses, academic institutions, and innovation-led clusters is especially relevant for the VFX and screen industries, where long-term growth depends on scalable operations, reliable ecosystems, and continuous technology evolution. From enabling cross-border partnerships to connecting companies with the right networks, Greater Manchester is positioning itself as a meaningful hub for businesses looking to grow in the UK.

As the visual effects (VFX) sector continues to evolve with advanced technology pipelines, automation, real-time workflows, and emerging tools, ecosystems that actively support R&D workings become increasingly important. Discussions also touched upon how innovation-focused regions can help global creative companies develop future-ready capabilities, whether through talent ecosystems, collaboration infrastructure, or long-term investment pathways that support next-generation production models.

Mr. Zameer Hussain and Mr. Gaurav Mehra represented Basilic Fly Studio in this discussion, reinforcing our commitment to building strong international relationships and exploring opportunities that align with our long-term vision. This meeting marks a meaningful step towards strengthening India–Manchester partnerships, enabling new possibilities for collaboration, and exploring future growth avenues within the UK market and the global media and entertainment industry.

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  • India:
  • Chennai
  • 4th Floor, Tower A, Commerzone,
Mount Poonamalle Road, Porur,
Chennai, TamilNadu -600116.
  • Pune
  • AP81, 16th Floor,
Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa
Pune, Maharashtra - 411001.
  • Europe:
  • London
  • Runway East Aldgate East, 2 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1EW, United Kingdom
  • One of Us, London
  • 16 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A 4DD
  • One of Us, Paris
  • 4/6 Cité du Labyrinthe, 75020 Paris, France.
  • Canada:
  • Vancouver
  • #1010 - 1030, West Georgia Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E2Y3.
  • © 2025 Basilic Fly. all rights reserved.
Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan
Executive Director & Chief Business Strategy Officer
Yogalakshmi Balakrishnan, visionary strategist who merges operational excellence with human-centered leadership. With the background in business analysis and HR enables her to align company goals with actionable strategies that foster sustainability and scale. Yoga is committed to optimizing operations, nurturing talent, and driving impactful change. Yoga also handles team engagement, enhances internal systems, and builds a solid foundation for long-term business success.
Balakrishnan R
Managing Director & CEO
Balakrishnan R's journey from a Compositor to the Founder of Basilic Fly Studio reflects an unwavering passion for visual storytelling. With years of hands-on experience in the VFX industry, he leads with an exceptional blend of creative insight and business acumen. His leadership style that emphasizes innovation, quality, and growth. Bala cultivates a collaborative culture that empowers teams and ensures that every project delivered is world-class that aligns to his long-term vision continues to push creative boundaries and elevate Basilic Fly Studio as a global VFX powerhouse.
Prabhakar D
Whole Time Director
Prabhakar D leads with a precise understanding of both artistic direction and technical execution. With a strong background in VFX production, he ensures seamless project delivery, creative consistency, and on-time execution across all divisions. He plays a critical role in aligning creative vision with studio objectives. Under his guidance, Basilic Fly Studio continues to produce high-quality content while nurturing a culture of excellence and integrity.
Zameer Hussain
Chief Operating Officer & Global EVP
Zameer brings depth in operations, strategic leadership, and creative workflows to the table. With a portfolio featuring global blockbusters like The Irishman and Stranger Things, he has redefined how teams collaborate and deliver. Focused on efficiency, learning, and innovation, Zameer integrates processes and people to achieve results at scale. His leadership enhances cross-functional collaboration and raises the bar for VFX production standards.
Gaurav Mehra
Chief Financial Officer
Gaurav Mehra is a financial strategist with deep experience in corporate finance, process automation, and ERP implementation. His leadership has been instrumental in driving financial transformation and operational efficiency. At Basilic Fly Studio, Gaurav ensures fiscal health, manages global compliance, and champions scalable financial models. His approach supports strategic growth and sustainability with precision and accountability.
Chandramohan
Company Secretary & Compliance Officer
Chandramohan leads the legal and compliance arm of Basilic Fly Studio, managing regulatory responsibilities across Indian and international subsidiaries. His expertise spans board governance, shareholder management, SEBI compliance, and legal drafting. He also supports overseas investments and regulatory filings (FDI, FTP, FLA), helping the company operate with integrity and transparency. His leadership fosters ethical growth and strong corporate governance.
Krishna Prasad
Head of Production
A media and entertainment leader with expertise in studio management and business development, Kris drives strategic growth, fosters collaboration, and optimizes business operations globally.
Lakshmanan C
Production Operations Manager
Lakshmanan is an operations expert skilled in data analytics, Python automation, and workflow optimization. At Basilic Fly Studio, he manages critical reporting tools and incentive schemes that enable production planning and team motivation. A tech enthusiast and optimizer at heart, he ensures data-backed decisions and efficient operations across the board. His work empowers the studio to stay agile and accurate in delivery.
Manikandan R
Associate Head of VFX Operations
Manikandan R brings over 19 years of experience in optimizing VFX operations and production workflows. He leads with a hands-on approach, ensuring timely delivery and team alignment across all project stages. Known for his analytical mindset and strong team leadership, he drives efficiency in large-scale productions. His passion for basketball and cricket reflects his energetic, team-driven approach to operations.
Rachael Penfold
CEO and Co-Founder of One of Us
"The film industry is full of challenges, and VFX is often front line ? inventing new ways to realise the creative appetites and imaginations of filmmakers and creators alike. The opportunity to combine with a fast-growing studio like BFS, working closely with Bala, Yoga and their fantastic leadership is very exciting for us. It allows us to expand in ways we would not easily achieve on our own. We will bring together our brilliant and talented teams, offering a greater diversity of choice within the sector and more exciting opportunities into the hands of our artists. This will be a powerful and agile offering, at a time when the industry is transforming itself, and engaging with the work requires new and innovative thinking. On a day-to-day basis, it will remain business as usual, with myself and the founders overseeing the London studio, and Emmanuel Pichereau providing leadership in Paris.
Balakrishnan R
CEO and Co-Founder of Basilic Fly Studio
Balakrishnan R's journey from a Junior Compositor to the Founder of Basilic Fly Studio reflects an unwavering passion for visual storytelling. With years of hands-on experience in the VFX industry, he leads with an exceptional blend of creative insight and business acumen. His leadership style that emphasizes innovation, quality, and growth. Bala cultivates a collaborative culture that empowers teams and ensures that every project delivered is world-class that aligns to his long-term vision continues to push creative boundaries and elevate Basilic Fly Studio as a global VFX powerhouse.
Contact us at
info@basilicfly.com
Sal Umerji
General Manager , UK & Europe
With over 20 years of experience in film, TV, and advertising, Sal Umerji has held key leadership roles including COO, Head of Studio, and Head of VFX. He has successfully led creative and production teams across the UK and India, bringing a strong track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence. As he joins the global leadership team at Basilic Fly Studio, Sal will focus on strengthening collaboration across geographies, driving long-term growth, and preserving the unique culture and identity of each studio under the group.
Anbukumaran D
Head of Production
Anbukumaran Dakshinamoorthy brings over 28 years of experience in VFX, animation, and cinematography, leading complex projects and optimizing production pipelines across top studios. A 5th-generation fine artist, he merges creativity with strategic leadership, contributing to R&D-driven automation and workflow innovation. Outside the studio, he?s a passionate photographer, biker, and humanitarian who led the 1995 Mukti Mahayatra rally for the physically challenged.
Amir Shahinsha
Head of Studio
With over 25 years of experience in VFX and Animation, he brings unparalleled expertise in VFX production, technical integration, and studio operations.His journey includes designing robust production pipelines and pioneering India?s first remote render facility, key contributions that have propelled the industry forward.Beyond the studio, he is a passionate photographer and sports enthusiast, blending creativity, precision, and discipline in all aspects of life.We're excited to have him onboard as we continue pushing creative and technological boundaries!
Dinesh Rokade
Head of IT
Dinesh drives the technology infrastructure behind Basilic Fly Studio?s high-performance pipeline. He leads IT transformation, cybersecurity, and compliance efforts, including TPN Gold Shield certifications and cloud optimization. From remote work solutions to secure data workflows, his leadership ensures technical resilience and smooth production support. Dinesh enables scalable, future-ready IT environments across all sites.
Tushar Kant Ojha
Head of Human Resources
Tushar is a transformative HR leader passionate about shaping progressive workplace cultures. He excels in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development, bringing strategic HR thinking to every layer of the studio. Known for scaling diverse teams and driving HR innovations, Tushar promotes a people-first environment that aligns with Basilic Fly Studio?s growth ambitions. His approach fosters inclusion, productivity, and purpose.
Jennifer
GM Business Development North America
Jennifer is a dynamic business leader who bridges creativity and commerce. She brings strategic insight into client relationships, bidding processes, and long-term partnerships that fuel Basilic Fly Studio?s expansion. Calm under pressure and always solutions-oriented, Jennifer ensures client satisfaction, builds cohesive teams, and streamlines complex production processes to meet creative goals.
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  • © 2025 Basilic Fly. all rights reserved.
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Basilic Fly Studio

Basilic Fly Studio Ltd

Pune

AP81, 16th Floor,
Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa
Pune, Maharashtra – 411001.

Basilic Fly Studio Ltd

Chennai

4th Floor, Tower A, Commerzone,
Mount Poonamalle Road, Porur,
Chennai, TamilNadu -600116.

Basilic Fly Studio UK pvt Ltd

London

73 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3QQ, United Kingdom.

Basilic fly studio Canada pvt Ltd

Vancouver

#1010 – 1030, West Georgia Street,
Vancouver, BC V6E2Y3.

London

16 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4DD

Paris

4/6 Cite du Labyrinthe
75020 Paris