In the cosmetic world of rouge and lipstick, Shaan Mutthathil gives Bollywood stars their stunning looks. The 27-year-old who worked his way up, rather quickly, in this glossy realm believes that the make-up artist is one who is “closest to the star.” In tinsel town, where one has to deal with fragile egos, celebrity fuss and glamorous lifestyle, he has surprisingly struck deep friendships and found a strong foothold.
For an outsider who journeyed to Bollywood from Kerala with stopovers in Germany and Delhi, he says with effusive honesty that “Bollywood has been very kind.”
His introduction to the world of glamour began when he did Chitrangada Singh's make up for a song in ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi'. It was soon followed by styling Jacqueline Fernadez in ‘Murder2'. Then came ‘Rascals' with Lisa Haydon. He has done ‘Housefull 2', Sudhir Mishra's ‘Inkaar' and ‘Desi Boyz', which was an “awesome experience.” Shaan has completed Karan Johar's ‘Student of the Year' and signed up for Race 2 and Raaz 3. Hrithik Roshan's ‘Krrish 2', a Yash Raj film with Anushka Sharma and ‘Mehrunissa' that has Big B in it, are scheduled for next year. In a short span of a year he has done eight films and has added many more to his kitty.
How did the youngster achieve so much, so fast, and that too in Bollywood where it's hard to gain a foothold even after years of toil?
Shaan's professionalism and exemplary work are the obvious reasons.
A “full-on Malayali” he is originally from Kuruppamthara, Kottayam, but was born and bred in Herne, Germany. After graduating in Fashion Designing from T. John College, Bengaluru, he moved back to Germany. It was followed by a “styling course, quite by default,” at Pearl Academy in Delhi where he topped the class. This was in 2006. Since then Shaan has been working non-stop. After a six month stint with news channel Aaj Tak, as their stylist, he freelanced with the renowned Pillai sisters in Delhi, doing up brides. One contact led to another and Shaan's work found appreciation among the Capital's glitterati.
He was soon working with famous models like Indrani Das Gupta and Sonalika Sahay, giving them his special aesthetic effect. This took him to Elite Modelling Agency with whom he still has a contract. Kalyani Chawla of Dior introduced him to Eiesha Mittal (daughter of Sunil Bharti Mittal), who gave him a big break by asking him to do her wedding make-up. This catapulted him into the world of rich and famous weddings. He travelled across the world with the wedding entourage, for the events, beautifying the bride and meeting friends. Here he met Chitrangada Singh who hired him for her film, and Shaan moved to Bollywood.
Stars and fashion
Since then he has not looked back. His affable nature made him a close confidante of many stars. “Jacqueline Fernandez waited for me to see the premiere of her film, ‘Murder 2'”, he gushes with visible joy of a youngster who has made his mark. Chitrangada Singh gave him a place to stay in Mumbai till the time he could find his bearings in the city.
Prior to all this Shaan had done the Kolkata Fashion Week and worked for fashion magazines, all the while being noticed for good, professional work.
He was “so excited” to get a call from, Asin, “a Malayali star” but unluckily had his dates booked for another film. This happened again with Sameera Reddy in a Mohanlal film. “South has not yet happened to me but I would love to do the stars here,” says Shaan who was one of the judges for Miss Kerala contest. Shaan has a filmi connection in Mollywood too. His youngest sister is married to actor Boban Alumoodan.
Finding professional and commercial success, he looks back on the days when his mother would work hard as a nurse and earn the same amount, what he makes with one film, in a month's time. “The make-up industry is huge but nobody believes that I am the least expensive make up artist,” he says modestly.
For him Malayali women are the most beautiful. He dreams to work with Kavya Madhavan, who he says is the typical Malayali beauty. “She is the true Malayali face… beautiful hair, nose, eyes.”
Malayali women he says need no make-up and only kohl. “They have beautiful eyes, skin and hair!”
Strong defined lines are a no-no and “less is more,” is his make-up mantra.
At this stage, Shaan is happy with his success. With ‘Desi Boyz' set to release soon, his work will once again be up for appraisal.
Brides, Models, Bollywood? What's next? He says, quite breathlessly, in typical Bollywood speak, “Hollywood”!
