Meet the ex-TCS techie behind Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna’s looks in Dhurandhar and Allu Arjun in Pushpa
Ever since Dhurandhar hit theatres on December 5, the film has been the talk of the town. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie features Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and R. Madhavan in key roles. While the performances have been praised across the board, another aspect that has caught everyone’s attention is the mind-blowing transformation of each character. But who is the artist responsible for these looks? It is none other than Preetisheel Singh, one of India’s top prosthetic experts, who also once worked at TCS.
All you need to know about Preetisheel Singh
Preetisheel wasn’t always a part of the film industry. She carved her own path and today collaborates with some of the biggest names in the industry – Ranbir Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Deepika Padukone, and many more.
Education and early career
Preetisheel Singh is the prosthetic mastermind behind the unique and layered looks in Dhurandhar, including the transformations of Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna. But before she entered films, she was working a regular corporate job. In a 2018 interview with Rediff, Preetisheel shared she spent a year at TCS in Delhi before being transferred to New York, where she continued for three years. She had completed her BTech in electronics and instrumentation, a choice she once revealed was heavily influenced by her mother’s insistence that she secure a stable income.
Akshaye Khanna’s look in Dhurandhar
However, she soon realised the tech world was not where her heart stands. Cinema and on-screen transformations fascinated her for years, especially after watching fantasy films like Lord of the Rings and Kamal Haasan’s iconic makeover in Chachi 420. With a clear goal in mind, she saved for nearly three years to fund her education abroad.
Ranveer Singh’s look in Dhurandhar
First steps towards becoming the India’s top prosthetic artist
In the same interview, Preetisheel shared that she enrolled at the Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles, completing a six-month course followed by a short internship. When she returned to India, another challenge awaited her, access to proper prosthetic materials. She recalls spending more than a year experimenting with chemical substitutes until she could recreate what she had learned overseas. Her USP – prosthetic design, still a niche skill in India, helped her stand out.
Her early big break came unexpectedly when she was asked to assist UK prosthetic designer Mike Stringer on Krrish 3. The film needed an additional artist as Mike’s assistant couldn’t come to India, and she stepped in at the right time. Soon after, she worked on Nanak Shah Fakir, designing around a dozen characters, including age-progressed versions and complex prosthetic looks.
Her major Bollywood recognition arrived with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider, where she designed all the characters, including the intense prosthetics for Kay Kay Menon’s climax sequence. Since then, her resume has only grown stronger. From Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Andhadhun, Mulk, Bala, Chup to South hits like Master and 24, she has worked across industries.
One of her most talked-about transformations is also Allu Arjun’s rugged Pushpa Raj look in Pushpa. According to TOI report, she once mentioned that the actor’s patience and commitment made the process smoother, saying he gives his all to the character, physically and emotionally.
Today, Preetisheel runs Da Makeup Lab with her partner and husband, Mark D’Souza. She is widely regarded as India’s top character designer and is a two time National Award winner, for revolutionary transformations in films like Nanak Shah Fakir (her first win) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (her second win)
With Dhurandhar earning applause for its immersive character looks, she once again proved her work and skillset. According to early estimates by Sacnilk.com, Dhurandhar has entered Rs 180 crore club at the domestic box office.
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