National Award

After mega success of Master, Preetisheel Singh D’Souza awaits Pushpa

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It’s just been a few months since South superstar Vijay’s Master emerged a blockbuster in the Southern market. Pandemic times notwithstanding, the film went on to become a rage, setting the box-office on fire.

National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic look designer Preetisheel Singh D’Souza who had curated the look for Vijay in Master, has also worked on another superstar Allu Arjun’s look in the much-awaited Telugu movie Pushpa, where he plays a character called Pushpa Raj. The film is reported to be readied with dubbed versions in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi too.

Pushpa which is being planned in two parts (just like Baahubali), has Allu Arjun fans waiting with abated breath for its release. Its teaser has already generated humongous views on the net. The buzz and craze Allu Arjun’s getup and the film’s theme has received, has just kept growing bigger and bigger.

In fact, when the teaser of the film was released sometime ago, it broke popularity records set by teasers of films like Baahubali and Radhe Shayam on YouTube.

Preetisheel, who has also curated the look for the film’s heroine Rashmika Mandanna, has been feeling the heat.

“Sometimes it feels a bit unnerving, as expectations for Pushpa have hit the roof,” she says. “I hope the audience likes and appreciates my work this time round too,” she adds.

Preetisheel has earlier designed looks for various actors in very prominent Bollywood as well as Southern films. The list includes movies like Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Housefull 4, 102 Not Out, Chhichhore, Master, 24, Wild Dog, Thackeray, Andhadhun and Bala.

Apart from being the No. 1 hair, makeup and prosthetic look designer in Bollywood, she runs India’s premier outfit Da Makeup Lab along with her partner husband Mark D’Souza. The lab’s building is a landmark in the posh Versova locality of Mumbai.

Preetisheel Singh D’Souza celebrates 5 years of National Film Award for Best Makeup

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Ace makeup and prosthetic look designer Preetisheel Singh D’souza recently put up an interesting post on social media with her picture receiving the National Award from former president Pranab Mukherjee, with Arun Jaitley seen besides. In the post, she celebrated five years of her winning the National Film Award for Best Makeup for the historical epic Nanak Shah Fakir based on the life of prophet Guru Nanak; the founder of Sikhism.

“Today’s day marks a beautiful memory of a lifetime. Receiving my first National Award at the hands of stalwarts like Late Hon’ble President of India, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee and Late. Shri. Arun Jaitley ji. The feeling still is surreal after 5 years… #NanakShahFakir @marktroy @damakeuplab #damakeuplab,” Preetisheel recently posted on her Instagram.

For the record, Preetisheel has designed looks for a number of top artists in Bollywood’s box-office successes such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, 102 Not Out, Mulk, Bala and Housefull 4. Her other credits include movies such as Andhadhun, Thackeray, Shivaay, Haider, Hawaizaada, Rangoon, Brothers, Talwar, Finding Fanny, Parched, Mom, Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), Malaal, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Raat Akeli Hai, Panga, Ujda Chaman, House Next Door, Master, Bigil, Boomerang and 24.

Her look design for Ranveer Singh as the intimidating pre-Mughal era emperor Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat was a rage. She also received widespread critical acclaim for designing the look for Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the biopic Thackeray based on Balasaheb Thackeray.

Preetisheel was recently featured by international website USA Newshour among the top best 5 makeup and prosthetic designers in the world, along with Hollywood stalwarts such as Kazu Hiro, Christian Tinsley, Jordu Schell and Neill Gorton. She was the only woman featured in this top list of world-famous makeup and prosthetic designers.

Along with her work partner-husband Mark D’souza, Preetisheel has set up India’s first makeup and prosthetic lab called Da Makeup Lab which is now a landmark in Versova, Mumbai. The talented lady is now preparing to launch the Preetisheel School of Character Design.

Mutants in Versova! Really?

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In the Ultimate Marvel universe within the pages of the Ultimate Origins #1, it is revealed that super-powered “mutants” were artificially created via genetic modification by the Weapon X program in a laboratory in Alberta, Canada in October 1943.

However, as far as India goes, mutants have now begun to walk in Versova, Mumbai.

Before you jump out of your chair, let us tell you that National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh Dsouza, who curated looks of Ranveer Singh as Alahudin Khilji in Padmaavat, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Balasaheb Thackeray in Thackeray and Ayushman Khurana as Bala in Bala, has gone ahead and begun experimenting with mutant figures.


Recently, celebrating the World Art Day on social media, Preetisheel shared a mutant face as an in-house experiment at Da Make Lab, her state-of-the-art makeup and prosthetic lab in Versova, Mumbai.

“Creative expression is our most cherished gift. Happy #WorldArtDay to all the creative artists. Reminiscing the process of creating this look from our first #AnimalXHuman mutant series,” she wrote, announcing that she is gearing up for more.

Must say, the mutant face she shared, does look super intriguing (reminds us a bit of Hellboy, but with full on horns) and we are looking forward to what she creates next.

 

Nagarjuna is very humble and grounded, says Preetisheel Singh

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National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh who has designed the looks for actors like Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, recently got to work with superstar Nagarjuna.

Starting off curating his look for a promo of Telugu Bigg Boss some time ago, she looks forward to work with him again. “Till last year, I was really looking forward to meeting Nagarjuna Sir, as I have grown up watching quite a few of his movies. When I finally did meet him, I found him to be such a warm and welcoming person,” says Preetisheel, complimenting the superstar who will be completing 35 years of his career next month.

“You wouldn’t expect such humility from a person of his stature but he is one of the most humble and grounded stars I have ever met. It was a pleasure working with him and I really hope that we work together again,” she adds.

For the record, Preetisheel Singh has earlier worked for many popular Bollywood films such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, 102 Not Out, Mulk, Bala, Andhadhun and Housefull 4. Along with her work partner-husband Mark D’souza, she has also set up India’s first makeup and prosthetic lab called Da Makeup Lab in Versova, Mumbai.

Sushant might have felt a bit vindicated today, says Preetisheel Singh

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Makeup and prosthetic look designer Preetisheel Singh who created all the young and old looks for Chhichhore, feels Sushant Singh Rajput would have felt vindicated if he was alive today.

Congratulating Team Chhichhore on bagging the Best Film National Award, “There is hardly any bigger satisfaction to cherish for a creative people, than getting due recognition. The National Award has etched Chhichhore looks in public memory forever.”

Talking about Sushant Singh Rajput and his untimely demise, Preetisheel says, “He sure deserved much more and had a lot to achieve. This National Award for Chhichhore might have made him feel vindicated.”

In fact, Preetisheel herself won the National Award for her first film Nanak Shah Fakir. Apart from Chhichhore, she has earlier worked for huge box-offices successes such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, 102 Not Out, Mulk, Bala and Housefull 4, and designed looks for many A-listers including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.

Preetisheel has also set up India’s first makeup and prosthetic lab called Da Makeup Lab at Versova, Mumbai. Her goal is to bring standards of makeup and prosthetics in India at par with Hollywood.

The story of India’s No.1 makeup and prosthetic look designer

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Chachi 420 changed her life

Today, Preetisheel Singh is a super-accomplished lady. The makeup, hair and prosthetics wiz who received a National Award for her work in Nanak Shah Fakir has worked with the who’s who of the industry, including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh. The No. 1 look designer of Bollywood has been an integral part of huge box-office successes such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, 102 Not Out, Mulk, Bala and Housefull 4.

Recently, in an article in the famous Indian-American publication India West, Preetisheel revealed how she started out and how Kamal Haasan’s look of a woman in Chachi 420 inspired her to enter the world of makeup, hair and prosthetics. Here is an excerpt from the article by veteran journalist Rajiv Vijayakar:

Born to a Sikh family in Pathankot, Singh repeatedly calls her parents “brilliant” for their unconditional support and encouragement at all times. She exults, “After I completed my B. Tech. in Engineering (Electronics & Instrumentation) in 2004, I was hired by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), but I soon realized that I was not wired for such jobs. I was giving my 100 percent, but there was nothing standout that was really happening! I told my mom I wanted to quit, and she just said, ‘Do whatever makes you happy!’”

Her parents are film fanatics and that led to Singh being floored by the 1997 “Chachi 420.” “I was blown by Kamal Haasan’s look as a woman! I came to know that they had to call in foreign technicians for it. I also started digging online into what goes into such prosthetic make-up, initially only just for knowledge. And then I thought, ‘What if I myself do all this?’”

At that time, as luck would have it, TCS had posted her in the US, and Singh resigned, invested all her savings into an expensive six-month course at the Cinema Make-Up School in Los Angeles, and in 2010, arrived in Mumbai, putting up with her sister. She made strategic rounds of producers every day, with contacts derived from JustDial—the Indian search engine.

Predictably, the response was disheartening. Most filmmakers had no clue about her special skills and no requirements either because they did not understand how different she was from the average make-up artiste. But make-up veteran Anil Pemgirikar, who is 70-plus, saw her work, praised her and promised that he would put in a word for her wherever possible.

In 2012, came her first small assignment: of a swollen eye for Akshay Kumar in “Joker,” a film that went unnoticed by the audience. That portion was shot in Chandigarh, and then came the designing of the mutants in “Krrish 3,” under U.S.-based make-up whiz, Mike Stringer.

After finishing her work on the film, in which she helped on the mutants, the production person offered her peanuts as payment and Singh refused to accept the meager remuneration. The person was furious and demanded, “Who do you think you are? Miles Stringer?” Singh recalls, “I told her not to talk to me that way, I don’t owe her anything. But she went on shouting, so I went and told Mike. He got so furious he blasted the person, saying that without me, the mutants would not have been ready on time.”

Gradually, word-of-mouth spread and she got “Nanak Shah Fakir” and “Haider.” The former needed six months prep and she was given a bungalow where she set up a full lab. “I had to do aging for men, make someone’s face fat, show a leper, a chopped off part of a body and so on.”

The rest is history.

Preetisheel Singh rocks South Indian cinema

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For quite some time National Award-winner Preetisheel Singh has been the leading makeup and prosthetic designer in Bollywood. From box-offices successes such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, 102 Not Out, Mulk, Bala and Housefull 4, she has designed looks for all the A-listers including names like Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.

After conquering Bollywood, Preetisheel is now looking at exploring the Southern industry more and more. She has designed for movies such as 24, Boomerang and Bigil earlier, but is now gearing up to work with many other superstars of the South.

And the lineup of movies she’s been signed up for and working on, is stunning. Starting with South style icon Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa, there is Vikram-starrer Cobra, Thalapathy Vijay-starrer Master and Nagarjuna-starrer Wild Dog.

Preetisheel has even designed a grandfather look for Nagarjuna for the promo of Telugu Bigg Boss, and has also done an experimental bald look for Chiranjeevi which the actor posted on social media recently. The way she is exploring new avenues, looks like the makeover wiz is all set to give a whole new dimension to the world of make believe.

Meanwhile in Bollywood, Preetisheel’s work is about to be showcased in upcoming movies like Yash Raj Films’ Bunty Aur Babli 2, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Dhaakad and Bhansali Productions’ Tuesdays and Fridays.

Top 10 transformational looks from hair, makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh

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When it comes to transformational looks and makeovers, National Award-winning hair, makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh is the undisputed No. 1 in Bollywood. She has also set up India’s first make-up and prosthetic lab called Da Makeup Lab at Versova, which has emerged a landmark. Here’s a list of the Top 10 looks she’s designed, which impressed every Bollywood buff. What’s more! Most of the films have emerged big money-spinners at the box-office.

1) Chhichhore

Chhichhore - Pic 2

The film had many characters which needed character designs as well as ageing. Preeetisheel had to keep that in mind while curating the looks. Plus, all the characters in the film were being drastically transformed in looks for the first time, which made her job all the more special. But she made sure that the looks matched their characters and also kept them as realistic as possible, which was loved by the director Nitesh Tiwari. Preetisheel designed multiple young and old-age looks for an ensemble lead cast. The film turned out to be quite spectacular. It went on to cross the Rs 200 crore mark at the box-office.

2) Padmaavat

2) Padmaavat

Designing the looks for Padmaavat led to creating the look of the evil ruler Alauddin Khilji (played with aplomb by Ranveer Singh), which turned out to be one of the most iconic villainous characters in Indian cinema, not just for the performance, but also for the look. Preetisheel’s looks for Deepika Padukone (as the legendary queen Padmavati) and Shahid Kapoor (as the Rajput ruler Ratan Singh) and the other cast of the film also earned her tremendous praise. Viewers and film critics alike, were awestruck with the results. Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali was always special to Preetisheel (she had worked with him on Bajirao Mastani earlier), because she got all the creative freedom she needed. He trusted her work and that gave her the confidence to design something very unique and different. The film is reported to have earned Rs 585 crore at the box-office.

3) Bala

3) Bala

Bala was a film where Preetisheel designed the looks for both the main leads, which were totally transformed. The balding look of Ayushmann Khurrana was enjoyed by the audiences and so was the dusky look of Bhumi Pednekar. The film became a hit and was hugely accepted by the audiences all over the globe, grossing Rs 171.45 crore worldwide.

4) Nanak Shah Fakir

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This film is very special to Preetisheel as it was her first film as a hair, makeup and prosthetic designer, and even bagged her the National Film Award for Best Makeup. A pre-Mughal historical epic Nanak Shah Fakir based on the life of Guru Nanak, required the most amount of prosthetics done in Preetisheel’s career. She designed the looks for all the characters in the movie. The film released and re-released amid controversy, but went on to become an landmark for its subject and theme. Reminiscing about it gives Preetisheel immense creative satisfaction.

5) Housefull 4

Housefull 4 - Pic 2

For Housefull 4, looks for all the period characters including those of Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, Kriti Kharbanda and Rana Daggubati were designed by Preetisheel. Media went ga ga over Akshay Kumar’s bald look in the film and it received a huge opening. Akshay also complimented Preetisheel for her work. The song Bala Bala Shaitan Ka Saala too, emerged a rage. Housefull 4 grossed Rs 280 crore worldwide.

6) Bajirao Mastani

6) Bajirao Mastani

This was Preetisheel’s first movie with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It gave her a chance to prove herself to him, as the maker focuses on the minutest detail. All the characters in Bajirao Mastani turned out outstanding and that’s what gave Preetisheel a masterful footing with period films. Especially, Ranveer Singh’s look as the Maratha Peshwa Bajirao earned Preetisheel good recognition. The film was reported to have grossed Rs 356 crore at the box-office.

7) 24

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24 was the first time she got a chance to work with Southern superstar Suriya. Preetisheel found him extremely down-to-earth to work with. 24 was hailed as one of the classiest movies in terms of looks and special effects, and went down in history as great fine art. She got to work with Suriya in more films later. The film earned 150 crore at the box-office.

8) Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW)

8) Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW)

RAW had a lot of disguises on John Abraham who plays a spy in the film. That by itself was super exciting for the makeup and prosthetic whiz. She found him amazing to work with as he was very open to the idea of prosthetics and very patient getting into the various looks. Some of his disguises in the film were so good that even his fans could not recognize him in the movie stills which were released before the film.

9) 102 Not Out

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Creating super-aged looks for Amitabh Bachchan (as a 102-year-old man) and Rishi Kapoor (playing his 75-year-old son) is yet another highlight of Preetisheel’s career. Working for this Umesh Shukla film was interesting for her, but she also admits that it was tense. Apart from their seniority, Preetisheel knew that both Bachchan and Kapoor had worked with some of the best international names in makeup and prosthetics. She did her best. Luckily, they loved the looks and so did the audience. Though the film was not a typical Bollywood potboiler, it earned a handsome 115 crore at the box-office.

10) Mom

10) Mom

Mom had an amazing script to start with and transforming the look for Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the first time was quite exciting for Preetisheel. His receding hairline and buck tooth look in the film, almost made him unrecognizable. The film was a success, earning 175 crore at the box-office. Preetisheel later worked with Nawazuddin again for the film Thackeray, where she transformed his looks into that of the Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray

Memories of Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan bring tears to Preetisheel Singh

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National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh who curated Rishi Kapoor’s looks for 102 Not Out and Mulk, and worked with Irrfan Khan for Haider, is overcome with grief after their sudden demise.

“Working with Irrfan Khan and Rishi Sir has been a journey I will never forget,” says Preetisheel. She mentions that it’s rare to have such accomplished artists always willing to experiment with their screen appearances.

Preetisheel recollects, “When I first got a chance to work with Rishi Sir on 102 Not Out, I was a bit nervous as he had been working with international prosthetic artists earlier. But once I had finished the process of his look in the film, he was very impressed .”

“Moreover, he would give me interesting advice while narrating his experiences with international makeup and prosthetic artists. He was like a father figure to me and I will always miss him a lot.”

“I got a chance to work with Mr Khan during Haider and the experience was fabulous, as he was one of the most patient actors on the makeup chair,” reminisces Preetisheel.

“Apart from being among the best our industry has had, both Mr Khan and Rishi Sir were amazing and very down-to-earth human beings. And that is what made them so special. Today, when I think of all the times spent working with them, it brings tears of fondness. It is really sad to lose such amazing talent and good human beings.”

Preetisheel Singh behind South style icon Allu Arjun’s look in Pushpa

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National Award-winning look designer Preetisheel Singh, who has designed looks for Bollywood biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, John Abraham, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shahid Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana and Ranveer Singh, has now teamed up with South style icon and superstar Allu Arjun for his upcoming film Pushpa, creating a look which already has the masses anticipating more.

The makeup and prosthetic designer has done a lot of detailing, including colour, tan, and a hairstyle to match the rugged bearded look of Allu Arjun with piercing eyes. The actor recently shared the first look of the film on social media and the poster instantly went viral.

What’s more! The poster emerged the most liked first look on Twitter with more than 84.k likes in 24 hours. Currently, it has 17.3k retweets and 98k likes on the micro-blogging site.

According to the grapevine, the film is based on red sandalwood smuggling and set in the backdrop of Seshachalam forest, the hilly ranges part of Eastern Ghats in southern Andhra Pradesh. Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa is touted to be an action entertainer, with the shoot being planned after the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

Known for her transformational work in Bollywood, Preetisheel also owns and operates India’s premier outfit Da Makeup Lab along with her partner Mark D’souza.

Preetisheel Singh designs SEVEN looks for actor Vikram

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So you have seen actors in a double role and even triple roles. Now hear this!

National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh, who has designed the looks for actors in movies such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, 102 Not Out, Thackeray, Bala and Housefull 4, has curated SEVEN different looks for South superstar Vikram for his upcoming film Cobra.

A first-look poster of the film which will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, shows Vikram in as many as seven avatars; ranging from a professor and politician to what seems to be a scientific mastermind, connecting all the different people together in some way.

With a musical score by none other than A.R.Rahman, Cobra is a thriller directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu and scheduled for a May 2020 release.

It can be noted here that just a fortnight ago we saw an advertisement for Kurkure starring Akshay Kumar where he played a triple role of son, father and grandfather. The three looks, also designed by Preetisheel, received a lot of attention.

A master with makeovers, Preetisheel who has emerged as the most sought-after look transformation specialist in Bollywood, runs India’s premiere outfit Da Makeup Lab along with her partner Mark D’souza.

Preetisheel Singh does a hattrick with the prolific Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the first time in Bajirao Mastani, National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh curated Ranveer Singh’s look in the film. She got a second chance to work with the prolific filmmaker with Padmaavat.

Here, she not only worked on the stunning looks of Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, but designed the look once again for Ranveer Singh, this time transforming him as the intimidating Alauddin Khilji.

And now, Bhansali has repeated Preetisheel to curate the look for Alia Bhatt for his upcoming saga Gangubai Kathiawadi.

“Working with Sanjay Sir is one of the most important milestones of my career,” says Preetisheel. “It feels surreal. You always feel part of something larger than life. I cannot express in words how grateful I am to him for showing so much faith in my work,” she adds.

A master with makeovers, Preetisheel has emerged as the most sought-after look transformation specialist in Bollywood. Apart from Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, she has attracted acclaim for her deft work in numerous movies including Haider, Mom, 102 Not Out, Thackeray, Shivaay, Hawaizaada, Housefull 3, Rangoon, Brothers, Parched, Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), Pati Patni Aur Woh, Mulk, Bala, Chhichhore, Malaal, Andhadhun, Panga and Housefull 4.