Vikram - Betaal Matchmaking game

Art Direction and character design for Vikram-Betaal, a matchmaking mobile game developed at Vikara Studios, rooted in the beloved Indian folk tale of the wise king Vikram and the mischievous spirit Betaal.

Brought in as a solo Art Director, the primary goal was to establish a cohesive art style that could carry the game through its later production stages, including the creation of an art bible for the team to build from.

The work covers both lead characters in full — King Vikram and Betaal the spirit — from early concept sketches and colour explorations through to final marketing renders. Betaal presented a unique design challenge; as a spirit without legs, finding a silhouette that felt supernatural yet readable was key. Capturing the iconic image of Betaal perched on Vikram's back — one of the most recognisable images from the folk tale — was both a fun and demanding part of the process.

Beyond the characters, the scope also included UI concepts, booster icons, a visual library, and in-game screen layouts — laying the visual foundation for the full game.