In a recent exclusive interview with ETimes, renowned look designer and makeup artist Shrikant Desai delved into the intricacies of his craft, shedding light on his experiences working on notable films like ‘Sam Bahadur,’ ‘Animal,’ ‘Jorum,’ and the upcoming period drama ‘Chhawa.’
Reflecting on his career choice, Desai shared that a story about his favorite makeup designer in a film magazine inspired him to pursue this profession. He expressed contentment with the positive shift in perception over the years, with growing encouragement for careers in the field.
Desai spoke highly of his recent collaboration with director Meghna Gulzar on ‘Sam Bahadur,’ praising her as a brilliant visionary. Detailing the process of finalizing Vicky Kaushal’s appearance as Sam Manekshaw, Desai emphasized the importance of considering details such as eyes and ears to make a character look relatable.
During the look test, Desai recalled a pivotal moment when legendary poet and lyricist Gulzar Saab witnessed Vicky Kaushal in character. Desai recounted, “I still remember Gulzar Saab being present during our look test, and once I was done with the look, Vicky was sitting in a make-up room in a certain way. Gulzar ji and Meghna ji entered the room, and the twinkle in Gulzar ji’s eyes after seeing Vicky as Sam Manekshaw was admirable. It was giving me proof that I had done a good job.”
Notably, Desai also discussed his work on Ranbir Kapoor’s look in ‘Animal’ and expressed aspirations to collaborate with Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in the future. Praising the comfort and rapport he shares with actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Manoj Bajpayee, Desai concluded, “Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Manoj Bajpayee are very comfortable to work with. We have a good rapport right now after working on a few projects. But I want to work with Shah Rukh and Salman.”
