“AS AN ARTIST, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO OFFER A UNIQUE TAKE ON TRENDS”
NAMRATA SONI, 36 Make-up artist, Mumbai
Award-winning make-up artist Namrata Soni has become a Bollywood favourite. She has worked on films such as Om Shanti Om, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Main Hoon Na and Aisha. “People think it’s glamorous, but the truth is for the first four-and-ahalf years, I didn’t get paid a penny,” says Soni.
You’ve managed to succeed as a make-up artist in Bollywood, a maledominated industry. What worked in your favour?
For years, I used to be harassed on set because I didn’t have a union card. I was fortunate that production houses like Red Chillies and Dharma Productions supported and stood up for me. Movies just kept coming my way. In London, I’d studied fashion make-up and also did a short course on prosthetics. Om Shanti Om won me an IIFA Award for prosthetic make-up. I think that was pivotal for my career.
You conducted a ‘pop-up’ hair and make-up course earlier this year. Why was that important for you?
It was a six-week course and I’m planning to do a longer one this January. People would ask me why I wasn’t teaching but I felt I did not have enough experience. It has taken me so long to master the craft, in fact, I still learn something new on set every day. I had 49 amazing students and I’m making sure they find a place in the industry. I showcase their work on Instagram. I had no one doing this for me, but now I have the reach and want to help other young hair and make-up artists.
CHARGES BETWEEN `60 `75 AND LAKH A YEAR