Exclusive: “Will Be An Inspiration,” Says Alif Ashraf, Malayali Member Of Oscar-Winning DNEG VFX Team

Alappuzha, Kerala: Malayali VFX artist Alif Ashraf, a native of Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, was part of the award-winning visual effects team behind Dune: Part Two, which won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 97th Academy Awards on March 3, 2025. Working as a Camera Tracking Technical Director at DNEG, the world’s leading visual effects company that delivered nearly 1,000 VFX shots for this film, which was directed by Denis Villeneuve, Alif played a role in working with virtual cameras on VFX shots.

Alif, a graduate of ICAT Bangalore with a B.Sc in Visual Effects, has been in the VFX industry for over six years and has contributed to more than 20 films, including Fast & Furious, Mad Max, and Telugu film Kalki 2898 AD. His journey began in 2018 with Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and he had won two awards during his time at a VFX company in Mumbai for his performance.

Reflecting on his contribution to Dune: Part Two, Alif described it as an “incredible honour” and expressed his pride in being part of such an ambitious project. “I’m sending a huge congratulations to everyone that played a part in making this incredible film,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the passion and effort poured into every frame of the film.”

DNEG with the Oscar 2025 for Best Visual Effects

DNEG, the world’s leading visual effects and animation company, has won eight Oscars for Best Visual Effects since 2011, starting with Christopher Nolan’s Inception. The company has also worked on visually stunning films like Harry Potter, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer. The Oscar for Dune: Part Two was accepted by DNEG’s VFX Supervisors Stephen James and Rhys Salcombe, who led the team.

Alif acknowledged the intense competition in the Best Visual Effects category, which included nominees such as Alien: Romulus and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He believes this victory will inspire aspiring VFX artists from Kerala and beyond. “I believe this would be an inspiration to the young Malayali talents who are interested in this field and dream to be a part of world-class movies,” he stated.