Da Makeup Lab elated at the super success of Ranveer Singh’s transformative looks

29 Aug 202229 Aug 2022 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES Da MakeUp Lab, DML, hair, India, makeup and prosthetic studio, Mark D'souza, Mumbai, Preetisheel Singh Dsouza, Ranveer Singh

A few weeks ago India’s foremost hair, makeup and prosthetic studio Da Makeup Lab (DML) embarked on a new mission — to curate unique looks for Ranveer Singh for the FreshToHome #NoShortcuts ad campaign having funky ads.

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The studio is very happy that not only were Ranveer’s looks accepted by the public, but that the ad campaign was a huge hit with people. “It’s really great to see that our work has been appreciated and the ads are such a huge success,” says Mark D’Souza, business head and partner at DML.

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“Ranveer is always a pleasure to work with as he is open to new ideas to experiment. Plus, he is a very easy-going person and gives complete freedom when it comes to curating looks,” adds Preetisheel Singh D’souza, creative head and partner at DML, who character-designed his looks for the ads.

This is not the first time Da Makeup Lab has woven magic with Ranveer. They first designed his looks for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali superhit Bajirao Mastani, where Ranveer played the role of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I. Then, for another Bhansali blockbuster Padmaavat, where he played the intimidating pre-Mughal era emperor Alauddin Khilji. His character design as Khilji was a rage and Ranveer rocked in the role.

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Apart from FreshToHome, DML has also worked on Ranveer as an adi-manav for the Set Wet hair gel ad, as well as a character with a large head and swollen nose for the Vicks Inhaler ad.

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Moreover, DML has provided its services for some of the biggest box-office blockbusters including movies such as Chhichhore, Housefull 4, Bigil, Master, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Pushpa: The Rise, which has made it the undisputed leader in makeup and prosthetics for the entertainment industry in India.

The outfit, run by the National Award-winning character designer Preetisheel Singh D’souza along with her partner-husband Mark D’souza, has its state-of-the-art studio situated in the upmarket Mumbai suburbs of Versova.

What’s more! The coming months are expected to be as exciting for the studio as the earlier years. Coming up are thrilling looks for Shah Rukh Khan in the much-awaited movie Jawan. SRK’s unique character with his bandaged and bruised look in the teaser has already got fans curious and excited for more.

Nagarjuna is very humble and grounded, says Preetisheel Singh

22 Apr 2021 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 102 Not Out, 35 years, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Andhadhun, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bajirao Mastani, Bala, Chhichhore, Da MakeUp Lab, Deepika Padukone, Housefull 4, John Abraham, makeup and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh, makeup and prosthetic lab India, Mark D'souza, Mulk, Mumbai, Nagarjuna, National Award, Padmaavat, popular Bollywood films, Preetisheel Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, superstar Nagarjuna, Telugu Bigg Boss, Versova

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.

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

5 Jan 202116 Jan 2021 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 102 Not Out, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bajirao Mastani, Bala, box-office successes, Chachi 420, Chhichhore, Deepika Padukone, Haider, hair and prosthetics, Housefull 4, John Abraham, Kamal Haasan's look of a woman, Makeup, Mulk, Nanak Shah Fakir, National Award, No 1 look designer of Bollywood, Padmaavat, Pathankot, Preetisheel Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh

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.

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

31 May 202031 May 2020 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 24, Akshay Kumar, Alauddin Khilji, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bajirao Mastani, Bala, Bala Bala Shaitan Ka Saala, Bhumi Pednekar, Bobby Deol, Bollywood, Chhichhore, Da MakeUp Lab, Deepika Padukone, Guru Nanak, hair makeup prosthetic designer, Housefull 4, Indian cinema, John Abraham, Kriti Kharbanda, Kriti Sanon, mom, Nanak Shah Fakir, National Award, National Film Award for Best Makeup, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nitesh Tiwari, Padmaavat, Pooja Hegde, Preetisheel Singh, queen Padmavati, Rana Daggubati, Ranveer Singh, RAW, Rishi Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Romeo Akbar Walter, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shahid Kapoor, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, South superstar, Suriya, Thackeray, Top 10, Umesh Shukla, Versova

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

17 Apr 2020 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Allu Arjun, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bollywood, Coronavirus, Da MakeUp Lab, first look, John Abraham, lockdown, look designer, makeup and prosthetic designer, Mark D'souza, National Award, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Preetisheel Singh, Pushpa, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, South style icon, Sukumar

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.

First Look and the Title of my next movie “ P U S H P A “ . Directed by dearest Sukumar garu . Music by dearest friend @ThisIsDSP . Really excited about this one. Hoping all of you like it . @iamRashmika @MythriOfficial #MuttamsettyMedia pic.twitter.com/G8ElmLKqUq

— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) April 8, 2020

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 does a hattrick with the prolific Sanjay Leela Bhansali

12 Feb 2020 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES Bajirao Mastani, Deepika Padukone, Gangubai Kathiawadi, makeup and prosthetic designer, National Award, Padmaavat, Preetisheel Singh, Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shahid Kapoor

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.

After Chhichhore and Housefull 4, Preetisheel Singh hits another hattrick with Bigil

29 Oct 201929 Oct 2019 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 200 crore, 200 crore club, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bigil, character designer, character designer Preetisheel Singh, Chhichhore, Deepika Padukone, Housefull 4, Kangana Ranaut, Madhuri Dixit, makeup and prosthetics, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Preetisheel Singh, Radhika Apte, Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Sunny Deol

While Chhichhore has crossed the 200 crore mark, and Housefull 4 is roaring at the box-office with a collection of 53.22 crore in just three days, another movie of National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic character designer Preetisheel Singh is doing stupendous business.

Bigil is the latest blockbuster from Tamil film industry Kollywood’s megastar Vijay, who has become synonymous with Diwali releases in the South, as Rajinikanth is with Pongal or Salman Khan is with Eid in Bollywood. Recently, Shah Rukh Khan described Bigil as Chak De on steroids.

For the movie, Preetisheel has designed two looks for Vijay in a double role, one a footballer and the other as a gangster. “Bigil was a very exciting project as we had to do two different generation looks,” says Preetisheel.

“Vijay Sir doesn’t speak much but is a gem of a person. My experience with him has been amazing. He is very welcoming and very easy to talk to,” she quips, adding that she has curated another look with him for a movie which will go on floors soon.

Preetisheel has earlier achieved a hattrick a year ago, when three of her movies Padmaavat, 102 Not Out and Mulk hit the bulls eye. In recent months she has also garnered abundant praise about her work for Andhadhun and Thackeray.

She has been behind some of the best looks of a plethora of top Bollywood stars like Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Deepika Padukone, Kangana Ranaut, Madhuri Dixit, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor & Sunny Deol.

Her work will soon be seen in forthcoming movies like the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-Radhika Apte-starrer Raat Akeli Hai, Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Bala, Kartik Aaryan-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Pati Patni Aur Woh, Sunny Singh-starrer Ujda Chaman, Kangana Ranaut-starrers Panga and Dhaakad, and Bhansali Productions’ Tuesdays and Fridays.

Bollywood goes ga-ga over Preetisheel Singh’s baldie boys!

18 Oct 201918 Oct 2019 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 102 Not Out, 24, actor, actress, Akshay Kumar, Alauddin Khilji, Amar Kaushik, Amitabh Bachchan, Andhadhun, Anubhav Sinha, Ataharvaa Murali, Audiences, Aval, Bachche Ki Jaan Loge Kya, Badumbaa, Bajirao Mastani, Bala, Balasaheb Thackeray, best, Bhansali Productions, Bharat, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, Bhumi Pednekar, Bigil, biopic, Bollywood, Bollywood PR, Bollywood publicist, Bollywood publicity, Boomerang, Brothers, Chhichhore, controversy, Da MakeUp Lab, Dale Bhagwagar, Deepika Padukone, Dhaakad, Finding Fanny, first look, Ghayal Once Again, Gruham, Guru Nanak, Haider, hair, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Hawaizaada, Hindi, historical epic, Hollywood, horror film, House Next Door, Housefull 3, Housefull 4, Image Building, Image management in India, Images for Bollywood PR, imaging, India, India's No.1, Indian entertainment industry, Indian film industry, Indian television, Insight into Bollywood PR, Kangana Ranaut, Karan Deol, Kartik Aaryan, list, make-up hair prosthetic designer, Makeup, makeup and prosthetic lab, Mark D'souza, mom, Mulk, Mumbai, Nanak Shah Fakir, National Award, National Film Award for Best Makeup, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, No.1, numero uno, Om, Padmaavat, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Panga, Parched, Pati Patni Aur Woh, PM Narendra Modi, PR team, Preetisheel School of Character Design, Preetisheel Singh, prosthetic, prosthetic designer, queen Padmavati, Raat Akeli Hai, Radhika Apte, Rangoon, Ranveer Singh, Ratan Singh, RAW, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, scandal, Scroll for India Bollywood PR, Shahid Kapoor, Shiv Sena supremo, Shivaay, South, Southern superstar, Sunny Deol, Talwar, Tamil, teaser, Telugu, Thackeray, The Indian film industry PR, top, topline, topmost, trailer, TRP ratings, TRPs, Tuesdays and Fridays PR client, Uddhav Thackeray, Umesh Shukla, Universal reach, Versova, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, vigilante, Vijay, Vikramaditya Motwane Nitish Tiwari

Close on the heels of the stupendous success of Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore, National Award-winning makeup and prosthetic character design specialist is coming up with not one, two, but three stunners. And all the three films have taken the film industry imagination by storm.

Yes! We are talking about none other than the three baldie looks of Bollywood, which are the talk of the town from a while now. The wiz behind the looks of Akshay Kumar as Bala in the Farhad Samji-directed Housefull 4, Ayushmann Khurrana in Amar Kaushik’s movie Bala and Sunny Singh in Abhishek Pathak’s Ujda Chaman, is look designer Preetisheel Singh.

What has particularly surprised many, is the fact that inspite of all the three looks being of men going bald, Preetisheel has deftly designed them in a way that all of them look ending different on the screen. While Akshay has an imposing mouche to go with the look, Ayushmaan has a receding hairline, and Sunny Singh has a moustache and stubble to match his balding look.

It can be noted here that Preetisheel even received accolades for her transformational look makeovers in movies like Padmaavat, Mom, 102 Not Out, Mulk and Thackeray some time ago.

She is now excited for her forthcoming releases which include an interesting mix of movies like the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-Radhika Apte-starrer Raat Akeli Hai, Kartik Aaryan-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Pati Patni Aur Woh, Southern superstar Vijay’s next Bigil, Kangana Ranaut-starrers Panga and Dhaakad, and Bhansali Productions’ Tuesdays and Fridays.

What’s more! The talented lady is also preparing to launch the ‘Preetisheel School of Character Design’ at her new sprawling office and workshop of her company ‘Da Makeup Lab’ at Versova, Mumbai.

Chhichhore and Bala bring accolades for look designer Preetisheel Singh

29 Aug 201929 Aug 2019 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 102 Not Out, 24, actor, actress, Akshay Kumar, Alauddin Khilji, Amar Kaushik, Amitabh Bachchan, Andhadhun, Anubhav Sinha, Ataharvaa Murali, Aval, Bachche Ki Jaan Loge Kya, Badumbaa, Bajirao Mastani, Bala, Balasaheb Thackeray, best, Bhansali Productions, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, Bhumi Pednekar, Bigil, biopic, Bollywood, Boomerang, Brothers, Chhichhore, controversy, Da MakeUp Lab, Deepika Padukone, Dhaakad, Finding Fanny, first look, Ghayal Once Again, Gruham, Guru Nanak, Haider, hair, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Hawaizaada, Hindi, historical epic, Hollywood, horror film, House Next Door, Housefull 3, Housefull 4, Image Building, Image management in India, Images for Bollywood PR, imaging, India, India's No.1, Indian entertainment industry, Indian film industry, Indian television, Insight into Bollywood PR, Kangana Ranaut, Karan Deol, Kartik Aaryan, list, make-up hair prosthetic designer, Makeup, makeup and prosthetic lab, mom, Mulk, Mumbai, Nanak Shah Fakir, National Award, National Film Award for Best Makeup, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, No.1, numero uno, Padmaavat, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Panga, Parched, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Preetisheel School of Character Design, Preetisheel Singh, prosthetic designer, queen Padmavati, Raat Akeli Hai, Radhika Apte, Rangoon, Ranveer Singh, Ratan Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, scandal, Scroll for India Bollywood PR, Shahid Kapoor, Shiv Sena supremo, Shivaay, South, Southern superstar, Sunny Deol, Talwar, Tamil, teaser, Telugu, Thackeray, The Indian film industry PR, top, topline, topmost, trailer, TRP ratings, TRPs, Tuesdays and Fridays, Uddhav Thackeray, Umesh Shukla, Universal reach, Versova, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, vigilante, Vijay, Vikramaditya Motwane Nitish Tiwari

If the trailer of Nitish Tiwari’s Chhichhore and teaser of Amar Kaushik’s Bala are anything to go by, the audiences are in for a visual treat in terms of look transformations of the main cast. And the lady behind the looks of the entire lead cast in the films — India’s numero uno makeup, hair and prosthetic designer Preetisheel Singh — has good reason to feel proud.

Both the movies have actors in their aging avatars and Preetisheel’s work has been receiving a new wave of accolades, after all the recognition it received earlier for films like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Andhadhun, Mom, Mulk, 102 Not Out, Thackeray and many others.

“Look transformations are an integral part of the storylines of both these movies, and it was a challenge and responsibility for me to make them look convincing and believable. I am so happy people are appreciating my work,” says a modest Preetisheel, who’d won the ‘National Film Award for Best Makeup’ for her very first film — the pre-Mughal historical epic Nanak Shah Fakir based on the life of Guru Nanak.

She makes it a point to thank the filmmakers of all her movies for putting their trust and faith in her work. “Without their faith, I wouldn’t have been able to do all this,” she says. Having taken her career graph a few steps further towards more recognition and glory, the lady has no time for a breather. The next few months have her working on a dozen films back-to-back, as well as starting the ‘Preetisheel School of Character Design’ at Versova, Mumbai.

Some of the forthcoming movies in her kitty include the Akshay Kumar-starrer Housefull 4, Nawazuddin Siddiqui-Radhika Apte-starrer Raat Akeli Hai, Kartik Aaryan-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Pati Patni Aur Woh, Southern superstar Vijay’s next Bigil, Kangana Ranaut-starrers Panga and Dhaakad, and Bhansali Productions’ Tuesdays and Fridays.

Afraid to have an opinion

16 Feb 201918 Mar 2019 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group FEATURED gully boy, Ranveer Singh

As appeared on Asian Age

http://www.asianage.com/entertainment/bollywood/150219/afraid-to-have-an-opinion.html

THE ASIAN AGE. | OISHANI MOJUMDER

Young actors of tinsel town have often been lip-locked about matters of political conflict.

Collectively, Bollywood has rarely taken a stand on socio-political issues.

Bollywood and politics have always had a love-hate relationship. Recently, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt during an interview were asked about their stand on the underlying political message in the song Azaadi – a track from their recently released movie Gully Boy. Brushing aside the question nonchlantly and their claim to be “apolitical” and too “busy with their personal lives” to comment on politics did not sit with their fans, viewers and the netizens. Both the young stars were called too “privileged” enough to be able to call themselves “apolitical” in the current environment of the country.

But the industry has had its fair share of political razzmatazz, with movies portraying political honchos to the touchy topics of religion, mythology, sex and terrorism. So what prevents today’s young stars from providing any comment which has the slightest political slant?

Says Bollywood publicist Dale Bhagwagar, the primary reason is fear. “The fear is not only of ostracization but also fear of losing monetary value – in terms of upcoming movies being boycotted, infrastructure being broken or releases being stalled. This has nothing to do with the current government. Rather, this has been happening through the ages,” he says, citing examples of various political parties known for their pressure tactics.

“Shiv Sena is infamous for violent protests against films – ranging from burning posters to vandalising theatres. The Congress too, which is known to be a fairly balanced political party, has a student wing – NSUI – that has also participated in such vandalistic protests,” he adds.

Abhishek Thukral, another celebrity manager is of the opinion that every actor is selling their film, and that making a political statement will definitely hamper the marketing of the film. “A comment that can be blown up by the media completely takes away from the film or the project that they are promoting. And the media, out of the entire press conference, will pick up that one political statement, instead of giving any mileage to the film whatsoever,” explains Thukral, adding, “Actors do speak about their views and current affairs when there is no movie being released. But there is so much negativity and hatred in the country with regards to politics that celebrities get death threats, actresses get rape threats. The situation can get very nasty.”

Resonating with a similar idea, Dale says, “Earlier, when print was one of the only media of news dissemination, a reaction to a celebrity’s comment would come as letters to the editor and a controversy would take at least a day to brew. Then with the boom of television, one got to know of controversies in a matter of hours. Now, with the advent of social media, not only does the controversy spread like wildfire but with apps and technology, it has become very easy to cut, edit and distort a statement given by a celebrity. Sensationalism is not the only issue now, fake news tops the list. And therefore celebrities are wary and rightfully so.”

But it is not only personal comments that celebrities refuse from making. Collectively, Bollywood has rarely taken a stand on socio-political issues. Take the case of the recent #MeToo wave in India, where no one much came out in support of the survivors and victims in India’s tinsel towns.

Dale Bhagwagar explains, “One needs to first understand that Bollywood is not a family or a fraternity. It is an industry with extremely insecure people where each person will have another’s back only till the favour is returned. So for Bollywood to stand together against a common evil is a far cry. Everyone is looking out for themselves, unlike Hollywood, where they are a very professional industry.”

Celebrity manager Prabhat Chaudhary opines that if people are looking up to actors and actresses as role models, then the country is facing a major ideological bankruptcy. “We expect actors to act well, be well-read, be aware of current affairs and be a role model all at once. That is unfair. Actors are people who do their jobs and earn money. In the process of their jobs, they get famous. But they are in no way obliged to make political statements if they do not want to,” he concludes.

Afraid to have an opinion

16 Feb 201918 Mar 2019 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group FEATURED Alia Bhatt, gully boy, Ranveer Singh

As appeared on Deccan Chronicle

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/150219/afraid-to-have-an-opinion.html

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | OISHANI MOJUMDER

Shiv Sena is infamous for violent protests against films — ranging from burning posters to vandalising theatres.

Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt during the interview with Anupama Chopra.

Mumbai: Bollywood and politics have always had a love-hate relationship. Recently, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt during an interview were asked about their stand on the underlying political message in the song Azaadi — a track from their recently released movie Gully Boy. Brushing aside the question nonchlantly and their claim to be “apolitical” and too “busy with their personal lives” to comment on politics did not sit well with their fans, viewers and the netizens. Both the young stars were called too “privileged” enough to be able to call themselves “apolitical” in the current environment of the country.

Says Bollywood publicist Dale Bhagwagar, the primary reason is fear. “The fear is not only of ostracisation but also fear of losing monetary value — in terms of upcoming movies being boycotted, infrastructure being broken or releases being stalled. This has nothing to do with the current government. Rather, this has been happening through the ages,” he says, citing examples of various political parties known for their pressure tactics.

“Shiv Sena is infamous for violent protests against films — ranging from burning posters to vandalising theatres.

The Congress too, which is known to be a fairly balanced political party, has a student wing — NSUI — that has also participated in such vandalistic protests,” he adds.

Abhishek Thukral, another celebrity manager is of the opinion that every actor is selling their film, and that making a political statement will definitely hamper the marketing of the film. “A comment that can be blown up by the media completely takes away from the film or the project being promoted. And the media, out of the entire press conference, will pick up that one political statement, instead of giving any mileage to the film,” explains Thukral, adding, “Actors do speak about their views and current affairs when there is no movie being released. But there is so much negativity and hatred in the country with regards to politics that celebrities get death threats, actresses get rape threats. The situation can get very nasty.”

After Padmaavat, 102 Not Out, Preetisheel Singh wants aliens for Bollywood

19 Jun 201819 Jun 2018 Dale Bhagwagar Media Group NEWS RELEASES 102 Not Out, 24, actor, actress, Alauddin Khilji, Amitabh Bachchan, Anubhav Sinha, Ataharvaa Murali, Aval, Bachche Ki Jaan Loge Kya, Badumbaa, Bajirao Mastani, Balasaheb Thackeray, best, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, biopic, Bollywood, Boomerang, Brothers, controversy, Da MakeUp Lab, Deepika Padukone, Finding Fanny, first look, Ghayal Once Again, Gruham, Guru Nanak, Haider, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Hawaizaada, Hindi, historical epic, Hollywood, horror film, House Next Door, Housefull 3, Image Building, Image management in India, Images for Bollywood PR, imaging, India, Indian entertainment industry, Indian film industry, Indian television, Insight into Bollywood PR, Karan Deol, list, make-up hair prosthetic designer, makeup and prosthetic lab, mom, Mulk, Mumbai, Nanak Shah Fakir, National Award, National Film Award for Best Makeup, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, No.1, Padmaavat, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Parched, Preetisheel Singh, queen Padmavati, Rangoon, Ranveer Singh, Ratan Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, scandal, Scroll for India Bollywood PR, Shahid Kapoor, Shiv Sena supremo, Shivaay, South, Sunny Deol, Talwar, Tamil, teaser, Telugu, Thackeray, The Indian film industry PR, top, topline, topmost, trailer, TRP ratings, TRPs, Uddhav Thackeray, Umesh Shukla, Universal reach, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, vigilante, Vikramaditya Motwane

The list of achievements for National Award-winning makeup and prosthetics designer Preetisheel Singh haven’t stopped from the day she set foot in the world of make-believe.

“They say, Bollywood is a place where dreams are made. So what better than a profession which helps makes those dreams a reality,” quips Preetisheel, who has designed the looks of actors for some of the topmost movies in Bollywood like Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out and Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 3, along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat.

Her work for the pre-Mughal epic Nanak Shah Fakir directed by Sartaj Singh Pannu bagged her the coveted National Film Award for Best Makeup, while her talent will soon be showcased again in Anubhav Sinha’s Mulk, where Rishi Kapoor will appear in the look of a devout Muslim. Then there is the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Thackeray — the biopic on Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, presented by Sanjay Raut and directed by Abhijit Panse.

So what does it take to create different looks? “Prosthetic has a lot of parts involved in it. You first take the life cast of the actor in 3D measurement after which you sculpt and make moulds, running silicon pieces in it,” explains Preetisheel.

“The silicon pieces are then applied on the actor and are merged with the actor’s skin so that it doesn’t look artificial. So tomorrow if a filmmaker comes up and has the requirement for an alien creature, we can do it. In fact, it will be good fun and I’d love to create aliens for Bollywood.”

Is the whole process very time-consuming? “When we look at characters with prosthetics on screen, we do not realize how much time and effort goes behind the scenes. The whole process involves a lot of visualization, planning, detailing, art and finally time. But the end result is worth the energy spent,” she concludes with a smile.