KOLKATA, April 24th, 2026: Arena Animation, a leading institute in animation, gaming, visual effects, and digital media education and a training brand of Aptech Limited, recently hosted its Alumni Meet in Kolkata. The event brought together alumni and partners, creating a vibrant platform to celebrate achievements, exchange industry insights, and strengthen community connections.
The event witnessed participation from over 80 attendees, including distinguished alumni who are now contributing across leading studios and organisations in the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) and creative industries. The gathering served as a platform to celebrate their journeys and inspire the next generation of creative professionals.
Notable alumni in attendance included Mr. Avishek Bhattacharya, Graphic Designer, ABP Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Ruplekha Saha, Associate Animator, PwC, Ms. Debabrata Chanda, Senior Body Tracking Artist, DNEG, and Mr. Kaustav Chatterjee, Project Manager, Cognizant, among many others, reflecting the strong industry presence of Arena Animation pass outs across diverse creative domains.
The Kolkata meet marks the beginning of a larger alumni engagement program that Arena Animation is rolling out across India. As part of this initiative, the brand will host similar meets across metro and non-metro cities, aimed at recognising the achievements of its alumni and fostering stronger connections within its growing creative network.
Continuing its legacy of shaping India’s creative ecosystem, Arena Animation also launched a slew of innovative and future ready training programs including Arena Animation Originals, an IP creation initiative designed to encourage students and alumni to conceptualise and develop original content.
Arena Originals was unveiled by Mr. Sandip Weling Chief Business Officer and Whole Time Director and Shajan Samuel Senior Vice President Aptech Ltd. The new platform aligns with the growing demand for original IPs and homegrown content across animation and VFX audiences and leverages emerging technologies such as virtual production and digital content creation. Alongside this, Arena Animation continues to introduce new-age programs and learning modules that reflect evolving industry needs, reinforcing its commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
Mr. Shajan Samuel, Senior Vice President & National Sales Head, Arena Animation said, “It is inspiring to see our alumni making meaningful contributions across leading studios and creative organisations. As Arena Animation marked 30 years, this milestone is not only a reflection of our legacy, but of the strong industry network we have cultivated over time. The Kolkata Alumni Meet celebrates these achievements while reinforcing our commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening alumni connections, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that inspires the next generation of creative professionals.”
The Alumni Meet also enabled engaging discussions around emerging technologies, evolving career pathways, and industry expectations. Alumni shared their professional journeys and insights, offering valuable guidance to aspiring creators on navigating a dynamic and competitive creative ecosystem.
With Kolkata being a key hub for creative arts, and storytelling, the event further reinforces Arena Animation’s role in nurturing talent that contributes to both national and global creative industries.
ABOUT ARENA ANIMATION:
Arena Animation is a pioneer, trendsetter, and global leader in Media & Entertainment education. Since its inception in 1996, Arena Animation has trained over 4,50,000 students globally through its extensive network of centers.
Arena Animation offers industry-relevant courses in Animation, VFX, Gaming, Digital, AR/VR, and Multimedia, empowering students to build global careers in the rapidly evolving creative industries. The curriculum is supported by top-tier faculty, global partnerships, and cutting-edge learning tools. Arena Animation’s students are placed in leading studios and companies such as DNEG, Rockstar Games, Zebu Animation, Green Gold Animation, ILM, NY VFXWALA, Network 18, Digitoonz, and more across the Media & Entertainment landscape.
