Filmmakers Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi's 'Maya Digital Media', which pioneered computer animation and digital visual effects in India, has joined hands with 'Showman' Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts to create a state- of-the-art computer animation and digital visual effects studio -Maya Digital Studios Pvt Ltd.

Ketan Mehta said, "Digital technology is completely changing the way we produce, distribute and consume entertainment. The concept of bringing the latest innovations in technology, combined with highly skilled manpower needed to provide the best available tools for Indian and International filmmakers to realize their illusions were the initial dream of Maya and now we are ready to deliver".

Maya, started in 1997, has over the last 14 years done high quality, award winning animation and visual effects for established international clients.

With investments from Intel Capital and Enam Securities Maya expanded to be one of the largest computer animation facilities in India. During this time it also started a very successful Computer Animation education programme called MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics) which soon spread to over 70 centres all across India.

Last year the investors decided to split the studio and education divisions and Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi, the original promoters, regained 100% ownership of the studio business.

"We want to make Maya into a world cl-ass studio which can compete internationally and we zeroed onto Frank Foster the pioneer of Computer Animation in Hollywood to run the studio and take it to the next level, " said Mehta.

Frank Foster, American CG veteran, former original founding Vice President of Sony Pictures Imageworks USA, has taken over as Senior Director and COO of the studio operations of the company.

Maya Digital studio is now on a rapid expansion mode and is adding state of the art studio facilities at Film City, Mumbai and Goa.

Ravi Gupta of Mukta said: "The synergy between Maya and Mukta Arts will bring about a qualitative change in Indian film industry. Technology and creativity is going to drive the future of entertainment and this studio will be at the cutting edge of this trend for India."