The prestigious Entrepreneur India 2024 Awards recently took centre stage, recognising top talents in business and innovation. Among the honourees was Dr. Rajeev Rastogi, founder and managing director of WhiteApple LLP, who took home the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Media and Entertainment.
The 14th edition of this celebrated event highlighted not just Rastogi’s incredible achievements but also his profound influence on the VFX and film industry. The distinguished jury—featuring renowned names like Anand Rathi, Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan, Yogesh Bhatia, and Rajneet Kohli—selected Rastogi for this prestigious honour.
This recognition came alongside the celebration of notable awardees including Aman Gupta, Rana Daggubati, Gazal Alagh, Tanmay Bhatt, Amit Jain, and Anupam Mittal (over the years).
But who is the man behind the success of WhiteApple LLP?
Dr. Rajeev Rastogi is a prominent figure in the media and entertainment industry, particularly in visual effects (VFX). Known for his creativity and strong business skills, he has established himself as a leading entrepreneur in the field.
Rastogi's journey began in visual effects production, where he gained valuable experience working with top companies. His career took off when he became a Visual Effects Producer at Excel Entertainment and later served as Chief Operating Officer at Drishyam VFX. These positions played a key role in building his reputation for delivering high-quality visual effects in India's film industry.
From the start, Rastogi's deep understanding of both the technical and creative sides of VFX, led him to start WhiteApple LLP. Today, WhiteApple is known for setting new benchmarks in the VFX industry.
Rastogi’s impressive list of awards speaks about his experience and contributions to the industry. In 2019, he was named one of Insight Success’s “30 Young and Dynamic Entrepreneurs to Watch.
In 2020, he received the “Excellence in Animation and VFX” award from Business Mint, a significant achievement.
Rastogi was honoured with the Maharashtra Ratna Puruskar, one of the most prestigious awards recognising excellence in various fields in 2023.
In addition to these awards, Rajeev Rastogi also holds an honorary doctorate in visual effects and was the recipient of the “Best VFX—Jury” award at the 13th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival. These recognitions highlights his commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual effects and elevating the industry.