National Award-winning makeup artist on bringing MGR back on the big screen in Kangana Ranaut-starrer ‘Thalaivi’
Sitting in the comfort of his room at a guest house in Vadapalani, not far from AVM Studios, make-up artist Pattanam Rashid reviews recently released films Thalaivi on his phone. One of them mentions the word ‘makeup’, which has Rashid getting up.
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She is getting a lot of praise for this look played by MGR Arvind Swamy In the Kangana Ranaut-starrer which is currently running in theatres.
“I go back a long way with director Vijay, with whom I first worked Madrasapattinam (2010),” he recalls, “during that time, he had a lot of reference material for the British soldiers and locals depicted in the film. After that I worked on most of his projects. This was during the shoot of GV Prakash-starrer watchman that he showed me the title and description of Thalaivi And I was so excited.”
Vijay, Pattanam Rashid and Arvind Swamy
National Award winner Pattnam Rashid immediately started collecting material about MGR. “Everyone in Tamil Nadu knows MGR. I realized it would be a big test for me as it was my responsibility to bring it alive for the audience. “
Covering all phases of MGR, the biggest challenge was his entry into cinema and politics, and when his health was not good.
“Arvind Swamy is one such actor who prefers less makeup as he is fair in complexion. but for ThalaiviShe had to do a lot of makeup to get into the character. Makeup is no longer in vogue in the MGR era, so the challenge was to recreate it using today’s products.
For the film, Rashid used specially designed dentures on Aravind to ensure that he looked like a matinee idol. “In the parts where we show an aged MGR, we had to use a special shading technique on the actor’s skin, in addition to the prosthetics used near the double chin and neck.”
Rashid has worked in many languages and genres, but prefers historical themes. “It takes me a lot of thought and effort,” he says, citing examples such as Kavya Thalaiwani And kanchivaramApart from the mention of Mohanlal Stranger And Oriya One of the hardest projects ever. Currently, he is working on several Tamil projects including GV Prakash Jail, surya ki jai bhim and Karthi’s Sardar.
a whole new world
Pattnam Rashid considers Kamal Haasan as one of his makeup gurus, whom he first met on the sets of the film. Chanakya (1989). “He had a make-up artist named Salim from Nagercoil, whom I also helped. Kamal was deeply interested in the trend of makeup; In fact, he introduced me to some international makeup products at that time.” Later, he worked with Star Aunt 420Hindi version of , avai shanmughi. Rashid, who has also worked in Kamal’s film, says, “That film gave me an opportunity to work with Hollywood make-up artist Barry Cooper, from whom I learned a lot about prosthetic makeup techniques. indian 2, directed by Shankar.
Rashid started off as a makeup artist in 1985, and has since continued his foray with the profession. In these four decades, they have not only seen the ascent of many superstars, but also witnessed vast changes in technological advancements affecting the industry. “New age filmmakers sometimes don’t like makeup. He says it takes away from the natural texture of the actor. They ask the actors to present themselves without makeup. During such occasions, I have learned to employ techniques to ensure that the makeup is minimal enough that the audience does not even realize that it has been applied. “
Rasheed stays updated with makeup trends around the world by browsing the internet and reading magazines. His most prized possession is American special makeup effects artist Dick Smith’s book on professional makeup, which he considers a bible for anyone looking to make an identity.
The book occupies a prominent place in her Makeup Academy in Ernakulam, which she founded in 2010 with the prime intention of passing on her life experiences and techniques to the younger generation. “When I entered the industry in Madras, I had to learn everything while on the job. Today’s young generation considers this field as a profession just like engineering or medicine. They need to be guided on the specifics of the profession. “
He is happiest when he hears about the locations of his students. They are mostly established artists, like last year’s National Award winners. Ranjit Ambadya (for Malayalam film Helen), one of his assistants. “It makes me so happy to see them do well.”
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