Puppetry for Film, TV & Advertising
Available across India
I design and perform realistic puppets for films, TV, and ads, handling everything from concept to on-set training so your story looks real without relying on CGI.
Pricing Guide
TV Commercial & Digital Ad Puppetry
Pre-Production & Design
- Script Consultation: Reviewing scripts to align dialogue with the puppet's persona and humor.
- Custom Fabrication: Creation of one hand-and-rod puppet (fleece or foam) or modification of stock characters to match brand colors.
- Character Sketches: Preliminary artwork to finalize the look before the build phase.
On-Set Execution
- Lead Performance: Satyajit Padhye performing voice (ventriloquism) and mouth manipulation.
- Support Team: 2 skilled assistant puppeteers for hand and rod gestures.
- Chroma Gear: Full-body green or blue chroma suits included for invisible manipulation.
- Duration: Professional fees for 1 shift (8 to 10 hours) of filming.
Actor Coaching
- Celebrity Training: 1-hour on-set session teaching the lead actor how to interact with the puppet for realistic eye-lines.
Brand Mascot IP & Campaign Series
IP Development
- R&D & Modeling: 3D rendering and clay modeling to finalize the mascot's long-term visual identity.
- Premium Build: High-end fabrication using durable materials (foam latex or high-grade fleece) designed for HD close-ups.
- Mechanics: Integration of triggers for blinking eyes or moving eyebrows to enhance expression.
Production Services
- Mini-Series Shoot: Performance fees for shooting up to 4 or 5 digital films over 2 days.
- Voice & Audio: Satyajit Padhye providing a distinct voice personality via ventriloquism or dubbing.
- Studio Option: Access to the specialized ventriloquism studio for table-top shots if required.
Technical Support
- Chroma Supervision: Technical direction for the DOP on framing puppets for seamless post-production keying.
- Maintenance: On-site grooming and minor repairs of the puppet throughout the schedule.
Cinematic Animatronics & Creature FX
Advanced Fabrication
- 3D Tech: 3D scanning and printing of structural cores for anatomical accuracy.
- Realistic Texturing: Silicone or foam latex skins with detailed painting (veins, pores) for 4K cinema resolution.
- Animatronics: Servo motors and RC mechanisms for remote-controlled movements like eye blinks and snout wrinkling.
On-Set Operations
- Specialist Team: 4-person crew including Lead Puppeteer, body manipulators, and an Animatronic Technician.
- Rigging: Setup of rod rigs or Bunraku-style handling for full-body movement.
- Durability: Rugged build quality suitable for outdoor locations or minor water exposure.
Project Management
- Prototyping: 3-stage approval process (Sculpt, Mechanism, Skin) ensuring design alignment.
- Timeline: Dedicated 4 to 6 week fabrication window prior to the shoot.
About Puppetry for Film, TV & Advertising
I grew up with puppetry all around me - it's in my blood, not just my hands. For me, puppets are way more than kids' stuff. I use them to make stories hit harder, whether it’s a movie villain everyone remembers, a crocodile you think could be real, or a brand mascot that sticks in your mind.
What I Do
- Bring stories to life for films, TV, and ads using practical creature effects for cinema, not just CGI.
- Design everything from cheeky mascots to monsters, with a focus on hyper-realistic puppet fabrication.
- Work closely with your team - from first sketch to final take on set.
Some Highlights
- Tatya Vinchu (Zapatlela) - the OG Marathi puppet villain, still going strong.
- 3D-printed Aditya Roy Kapur for Netflix’s Ludo.
- Crocodile puppet for Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba promos.
- Vichaar Kar, India’s first healthcare brand puppet, with Anil Kapoor.
- Trained Aamir Khan as a ventriloquist for Tata Sky’s classic ad.
How It Works
- Full process: concept, build, performance, and even green screen or multi-puppeteer shots.
- On-set celebrity puppet training for ads and movies - I make sure your actors look like pros.
- Based in Mumbai, but have worked with everyone from Coldplay to Indian TV legends.
If you want your screen story to feel real, puppets can do what pixels just can’t.
Meet your Expert
Satyajit Padhye
368 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Hi, I’m Satyajit. Puppetry’s been in my blood for ages – my dad, granddad, all of us. Honestly, people always thought it’s just kid stuff, but nope, adults love it too! I even became a CA because, you know, stability, but puppets kept calling. Now, it’s my full-time world, and my wife and daughter are in it too. Labhle amhaas bhagya bolto Marathi (lucky to speak Marathi), lucky to share this joy.
My Work
Ventriloquism & Puppetry Shows - I perform for live events, TV, and films, mixing Marathi ventriloquism performances with local humour.
Custom Puppet Character Design - I create custom puppet characters for ads, brands, and even special 3D printed celebrity puppets.
Not Just for Kids - My scripts are witty, interactive ventriloquism for adults too, not just children.
Legacy with a Twist - From giant puppet event shows to experimenting with tech and AI, I keep our 100-year-old art fresh.
