Indian makeup designers are good even if they don’t use advanced makeup- Vikram Gaikwad

Pune, January 13, 2020 : ‘‘While working on a Caucasian, Afro-American or Mongolian face, you generally use only 2 colour shades. However, in India you’ll find a lot of types of skin tones and different facial and nose features. Indian makeup designers have to think differently compared with the foreign designers. That’s why they are good even if they don’t use advanced kind of makeup,’’ said renowned makeup designer Vikram Gaikwad.

He was speaking while delivering the lecture on the topic ‘Makeup Designer- Creating the illusion’ at PVR Icon in 18th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) organized by Pune Film Foundation and Maharashtra Government. Dr. Jabbar Patel, Director, PIFF interviewed him.

Gaikwad mentioned that from all the movies that won a national award for him, the film that it most close to his heart is ‘Balgandharva’.

Speaking about the journey of the concept of makeup designing, Gaikwad said, ‘‘There was a time when in our industry when makeup was mis-conceptualized as beautification. I have seen actors hesitating to put up realistic makeup, but over the years the scene has changed. New actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh surrender to the makeup designer and value the art a lot.’’

‘‘I was participating in children’s theatre from an early age and was fascinated by the art of transforming actors to different characters. I had decided to become a makeup designer when I was in 6th standard. Later while studying in FTII I could practice a lot,’’ said Gaikwad.

‘‘When I started doing prosthetics, the foreign material was not available easily in India and I had to research and innovate,’’ said Gaikwad. ‘‘My first big project was the film ‘Sardar’ by Ketan Mehta. Meeting actor Paresh Rawal- who played Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the movie became a turning point in my life. Before I was introduced, over 8 to 10 makeup artists were working to get a correct Vallabhbhai Patel nose on Rawal’s face but nothing was helping. I was told to make it right. I used melted wax to create the effect and they liked it. Rawal showed faith in me and gave me all the time that I needed. When I felt like giving up, he would tell me that one day you’ll rule the industry!,’’ he said.