YRF’s yFX Studios delivers remarkable Bobby Deol de-aging in ‘Alpha’
Yash Raj Films’ action entertainer ‘Alpha’, headlined by Alia Bhatt and also starring Sharvari, continues its theatrical run with reported worldwide earnings of over ₹92.75 crore. Alongside the film’s action set pieces and narrative, one sequence has emerged as a major talking point among audiences: the digital de-aging of actor Bobby Deol for a key chapter in the story.
The sequence sees Deol appear significantly younger, recreating a look associated with the period of films such as Soldier, Gupt and Barsaat. The visual transformation was developed by Yash Raj Films’ in-house visual effects division, yFX Studios, and was designed to support a specific stage in the character’s journey within the narrative.
According to the filmmakers, the objective was to make the effect serve the story rather than function as a standalone visual showcase. Director Shiv Rawail said the team viewed the transformation as a storytelling requirement, emphasizing the need for audiences to believe they were seeing the character at a particular moment in his life. He added that the challenge was to make the technology feel invisible so viewers remained focused on the story and performance.
For Deol, the experience marked a first in his career. The actor described seeing a younger version of himself on screen as “surreal,” while noting that technology alone cannot carry a performance. He said the process involved balancing technical innovation with an emotionally truthful portrayal of the character.
The effect was created by yFX Studios under the supervision of Sherry Bharda, Head of yFX Studios and VFX Supervisor. Bharda said the project combined artificial intelligence and visual effects technology throughout an entire sequence, rather than being limited to individual shots. He noted that sourcing reference footage from the relevant period of Deol’s career presented challenges, particularly in finding material with matching lighting conditions and camera angles.
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Bharda explained that the team adopted a hybrid workflow in which artists remained closely involved in guiding and refining AI-generated outputs. Particular attention was paid to details such as skin texture, facial aging patterns and eye movements, elements he said are critical to maintaining realism in de-aging work.
The project represents one of the latest technology-driven initiatives from YRF’s visual effects division, reflecting the studio’s continued investment in in-house VFX capabilities. The filmmakers say the goal was to ensure that the visual transition remained seamless enough for audiences to stay connected to the character and the narrative.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shiv Rawail, ‘Alpha’ also stars Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles and is currently playing in cinemas worldwide.
