Innovating with Purpose: An Interview with Abhishek Prasad, Director & CTO of Prasad Group

An Exclusive Interview with Abhishek Prasad, Director & CTO of Prasad Group

In this insightful interview, Abhishek Prasad, Director and CTO of Prasad Group, shares his journey of blending innovation with legacy.

He discusses how technology drives the company’s growth, the importance of sustainable industrial practices, and how Prasad Group continues to evolve as a leader in engineering excellence and forward-thinking manufacturing solutions.

Prasad has been part of cinema’s history for nearly 70 years. How do you see the company’s role evolving in today’s digital-first era?

Abhishek Prasad: For nearly seven decades, Prasad has been intertwined with the evolution of Indian and global cinema. From pioneering film processing in the analog age to leading digital and immersive technologies today, we’ve constantly reinvented ourselves with the times.

In the digital-first era, our role is to be both custodian and catalyst, preserving cinematic heritage while enabling next-generation storytellers to push creative boundaries.

Whether it’s AI-assisted restoration, HDR mastering, or cloud-enabled workflows, our vision is to make Prasad a bridge between legacy and innovation, where artistry meets technology to ensure that every frame, old or new, stands the test of time.

What are some of the biggest challenges in preserving cinematic heritage, and how is Prasad addressing them?

Abhishek Prasad: Preserving cinematic heritage is a race against time, battling chemical decay, data loss, and disappearing playback technologies. At Prasad, we approach this challenge holistically, combining precision technology with human artistry.

Our facilities handle end-to-end film scanning, digital restoration, grading, and mastering up to 14K resolution. But beyond infrastructure, it’s our philosophy that defines us: we don’t just restore films; we revive cultural memory.

By safeguarding archives and ensuring accessibility for new audiences, we’re helping nations and creators protect their most valuable asset, their cinematic legacy and make it accessible to global audiences.

Could you share some behind-the-scenes stories of restoring iconic films — both Indian and international?

Abhishek Prasad: Each restoration we undertake is a story of rediscovery, a dialogue between technology and timeless art. Over the years, Prasad has had the privilege of reviving some of the most iconic works in world cinema.

From international classics like The Sound of Music (4K restoration), How the West Was Won, where we stitched the original 2K Cinerama reels into a unified 6K digital master, My Fair Lady, to Indian masterpieces by legends such as Shyam Benegal’s Manthan that was also screened at Cannes, Guru Dutt ‘s Aar Par, Pyaasa, Chaudvi Ka Chand etc., Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films, Kamal Haasan’s Raj Kamal Films like Hey Ram , Many Satyajit Ray Titles, Adoor Gopalakrishnan Films, and Singeetham Srinivasan movies, every project has been a blend of science, sensitivity, and soul.

Our recent 4K restorations of culturally significant films like Devar Magan, Umrao Jaan, and the timeless works of Raj Kapoor’s Classics, Dev Anand Films, and Rajinikanth Movies reaffirm our commitment to preserving cinematic heritage at the highest global standards.

Through our ongoing collaborations with the National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), we’re helping safeguard India’s cinematic legacy for future generations.

At Prasad, restoration goes beyond pixels and color, it’s about honoring history, emotion, and memory, ensuring that the magic of cinema continues to inspire audiences for decades to come.

With global clients ranging from Hollywood studios to national archives, how do you balance heritage with cutting-edge innovation?

Abhishek Prasad: For us, heritage and innovation are not opposites, they are complementary forces that define Prasad’s DNA. We serve a spectrum of clients, from national archives in Asia to major Hollywood studios and European Archives and Film Libraries worldwide, by integrating the latest digital technologies with our deep archival expertise.

We constantly invest in R&D to integrate emerging technologies such as AI-based cleanup tools, machine learning-driven metadata tagging, and automated QC systems, while maintaining the meticulous craftsmanship that defines traditional film restoration.

This dual commitment allows us to create work that is both technically future-ready and artistically authentic and serve both ends of the cinematic spectrum, protecting the past while preparing content for the future of streaming, distribution, and immersive media, reaffirming Prasad’s leadership as a global partner in the preservation and progression of cinema.

AI and streaming are reshaping the industry. What role do you see Prasad playing in this new landscape?

Abhishek Prasad: AI and streaming have transformed how stories are created, localized, and experienced, and Prasad stands at the convergence of this evolution. We’re integrating AI not just in restoration and QC to enhance precision and scalability, but also across VFX, mastering, and post-production to elevate creative efficiency.

Our advanced Lip-Syncing and Voice Morphing technologies are enabling faster, more authentic content localization for global audiences. With filmmakers now mastering for HDR, 4K, and immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, our Barco-certified HDR projection suite ensures creators experience every frame as it’s meant to be seen.

At its core, Prasad’s vision is to blend intelligence with imagination, empowering creators to craft stories that are technologically advanced, emotionally resonant, and globally accessible.

On a personal note, as the fourth generation of the Prasad family, what does carrying this legacy forward mean to you?

Abhishek Prasad: Carrying forward the Prasad legacy is both an honor and a calling. What began with L.V. Prasad’s pioneering spirit has evolved into a multi-generational mission to blend art, technology, and innovation in the service of cinema.

Each era of our journey has been about adaptation, from celluloid to digital, and now to AI and immersive experiences.

As we look ahead, our focus remains unchanged: to lead with integrity, nurture creativity, and continue building an ecosystem where the past inspires the future. For us, it’s not just about sustaining a legacy, it’s about constantly redefining it for the world of tomorrow.

As the discussion concludes, Abhishek Prasad reflects on the balance between tradition and innovation that defines Prasad Group’s success. His vision emphasizes continuous learning, technological advancement, and ethical growth.

Read more Success stories of Indian entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs & startups stories at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn