There is a lot of discussion about the Indira Gandhi look of actress Lara Dutta in the film 'Bell Bottom'. When the trailer of the film was released, it was difficult to even recognize Lara, who became Indira. Makeup and prosthetic artist Prashant Doifode rightly deserves the credit for this look. Prashant is sad that the makeup artist doesn't get proper credit, far from getting any award.
He hopes this situation will change after so much discussion of Lara's transformation. When Prashant first came to know that Lara is playing the character of Indira Gandhi in the film, it was a big challenge for him. It took 35 days for Lara's Indira Gandhi look to be ready. Prashant explained the whole process step by step to prepare this look.
To do Lara's makeover, her and Indira Gandhi's look was first compared. Then 3D casting was done at Lara's house. 3D casting is the first step in creating a prosthetic look for anyone. The face of the person on whom the prosthetic is to be applied is measured closely. After this, the prosthetic is made accordingly.
Before the shooting of Lara started, two trials were conducted. Once a complete look trial was done. Most of the look was achieved in this, but now it could have been done better. After improving the remaining things, the second trial took place, which was approved.
Jagdish Dada and Praveen were in the team along with Prashant in this whole process. Jagdish Dada used to supervise and Praveen used to attend the sets. Achieving this type of makeup requires complete dedication on the part of the actor. Lara gave full cooperation in this.
Maintaining continuity in this type of makeup is also a big challenge for the makeup artist. Lara's makeup took 3 hours. After the shooting was over, it took one and a half hours to remove the makeup.
It was never easy to give a shot with this makeup. For example, the prosthetic nose that was put on, sweating or itching, was not to be touched. Had to sit with this makeup on all day.
All the material of prosthetics and make-up comes from the US or UK. Earlier latex or latex foam was used for prosthetics. Now work is done in materials like silicone and gelatin. Prashant prepares complete prosthetics in his own workshop.
Makeup used to be a stick pancake earlier. Then there is the cream base, the liquid base, and now the alcohol base. Apart from the brush, special makeup spray is also used in some places.
The entire film was shot during the first wave of Kovid. The most difficult was to follow the corona protocol in makeup. All make-up materials and makeup vans were sanitized. Due to the lockdown, advanced stock of all materials and other pieces was kept.
Prashant tells that in an unreleased film 'Meridian', Arjun Rampal was given the form of such an old man with the help of a prosthetic that even his family could not recognize him. It was he who made the artificial belly for Vidya Balan in the film 'Kahaani'. The special thing in this was that in the climax of the film, Vidya was to be shown removing that belly.
Apart from the film, prosthetics have also been used in promotions. For the promotion of Ajay Devgan and Kajol's film 'Toonpur Ka Super Hero, cartoon characters were made from prosthetic, it was highly appreciated Prashant says that during the shoot, the day of the actor starts from the make-up room and after the shooting, the day ends in the make-up room itself. This is the importance of make-up in movies. Therefore, the make-up artist should also get full respect as an artist.
