The Midnight Run: Mahindra BE 6 Formula E

Director - Dwaipayan Ray
DOP - Ajay Singh
AD - Amol Thakore
Graphics & VFX - Saviya Shah
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Agency - StudioGuru
Producer - Gaurav Mohitra
Production Manager - Shubham Kumbhare

Objective

Mahindra Electric wanted a high-impact, high-energy launch film for the all-new Mahindra BE 6 – Formula E Edition, reflecting its racing DNA, futuristic design, and electric performance. The film needed to feel raw, fast, and urban, mirroring the Formula E spirit while positioning the car as a bold, next-generation electric machine.

Concept

The core idea was to place the BE 6 in its natural playground, the city at night. Shot entirely in the midnight streets of Mumbai, the film captures the car when the city sleeps, and the machine truly comes alive.

Empty roads, sharp light streaks, reflections, and motion were used to convey speed, control, and confidence, aligning with the Formula E Edition’s racing pedigree.

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Execution

Midnight Street Shoot: Filmed entirely at night with extremely limited shooting windows. Clean shots depended on waiting patiently for public traffic to clear before every take.
Tracking-Heavy Cinematography: The film relies heavily on precise tracking shots, making coordination between the DOP, driver, and camera team critical.
Interior Sequences: Since the city outside was pitch-dark, interior lighting had to be meticulously designed to appear natural and realistic while maintaining visibility and mood.
VFX & Post-Production:
- Clean-up of unwanted elements
- Rotoscoping
- Object additions
  These enhancements helped maintain visual continuity and elevate realism without overpowering the raw street energy.

Challenges

Time & Traffic: Shooting on live city roads meant unpredictable traffic and minimal margin for error.
Lighting Accuracy: Achieving realistic interior lighting while driving through near-total darkness required precise planning and execution.
One-Chance Shots: Most tracking shots allowed very limited retakes, demanding perfect synchronisation between movement, framing, and speed.

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Outcome & Impact

The film was shot and delivered at a rapid pace, meeting Mahindra Electric’s tight timelines.
Mahindra loved the final output, appreciating the film’s realism, pace, and premium visual language.
Audience response was exceptional:
- 21.6 million views on YouTube within just 3 days of upload.
- As of 12th January 2026, the film demonstrated massive organic traction and engagement

Key Takeaways

Coordination is everything: Precision driving, tracking shots, and camera movement made teamwork the backbone of this film.
Real streets, real energy: Shooting in live urban conditions added authenticity that studio setups can’t replicate.
VFX as support, not spotlight: Thoughtful post-production enhanced realism without taking attention away from the car.
Night is a character: Darkness wasn’t just a backdrop; it became part of the storytelling, amplifying the BE 6’s bold identity.

This project stands as a strong example of fast execution, technical precision, and urban storytelling, proving that with the right coordination and creative clarity, even the toughest night shoots can deliver race-ready, audience-winning results.

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