A feat with 10 faces
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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Academy Award winning make-up artist Michael Westmore on the ‘Dasavathaaram’ experience.
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IN THE NEWS Michael Westmore, with a couple of Kamal Haasan’s avatars.
You could pan or praise ‘Dasavathaaram,’ but ignoring it is impossible. The same also goes for Kamal’s make-up in the film. A make-up artist’s effort being discussed on a par with the main performer is rather rare. But it’s happening. Michael G. Westmore’s make-up for Kamal Haasan is greatly topical. The man who helped to transform the actor into 10 different people in looks, height and demeanour, has returned to his home in California. A tele-con with him gives insights into the enormity of the task that’s been accomplished by this actor-artist duo.
“I’ve known Kamal for nearly a decade and a half now. He’s wonderful to work with,” begins Westmore. “After watching Kamal’s commitment and creativity, I can surely say that I don’t have a comparison to him here in the West.”
Westmore, an Academy Award winner for make-up in the 1985 film, ‘Mask,’ doesn’t mince words. “So far no actor in the world has taken up so many different roles in a single film. Others could catch up but Kamal is a pioneer in utilising the art to the optimum,” he says.
Michael Westmore belongs to an impressive lineage of make-up artists and is the 13th in the family to take up the profession. He made a mark in make-up for the ‘Star Trek’ franchise and went on to win Academy nominations for ‘Star Trek: First Contact,’ ‘2010’ and ‘Clan of the Cave Bear.’ Honours, including 42 Emmy nominations for his small screen ventures, of which nine of them got translated into awards, are a way of life for Westmore.
Incredible zest
“What I like best about Kamal is that he’s always coming up with new ideas. Be it placing a beard or a moustache, appropriate cuts, bruises or scars he always has constructive suggestions to offer,” he continues.
Westmore finds Kamal’s patience in the make-up room incredible. “He would sit for hours on end when he is being made-up, and enthusiastically keep giving ideas!” Westmore made 50 rubber faces for ‘Chachi 420’ alone and another 50 for its Tamil version, ‘Avvai Shanmughi.’ Then there are his laudable efforts for ‘Indian’ and ‘Hey! Ram’ and Kamal’s other off-beat attempts.
Where does he begin? “We have sketches of various faces made and we discuss them at length. I have a plaster cast of Kamal’s face and work on it. Then together we try out changes on the nose, lips, eyes and forehead before we reach a consensus.” Little wonder that it took them nearly two years to decide on the looks of the 10 characters in ‘D.’ “And another one year of hard work on Kamal’s face,” he says.
Ask him for the other Kamal films he’s worked in and he’s flummoxed. “Please ask Kamal for the list. I can’t get the names,” he laughs.
“I’m impressed by his research for each project. His next is also very interesting. Something most of the world will be fascinated by,” he adds. The film is ‘Marma Yogi.’ And is he in it? “Of course! Though it won’t involve as much work as ‘Dasavathaaram.’
Kamal’s one face that impressed him most in ‘D’? “The old woman! With her drooping eyes and wrinkled hands, she’s very convincing. I like that look a lot.”
Has he watched the entire film? “Can you believe it? I haven’t,” he guffaws.
Kamal comments
“Michael and I first got together for ‘Oru Kaidhiyin Diary’ where I played an old father, and son,” Kamal remembers, “and he is also my guru in make-up.”
Kamal learnt the art from Westmore and became so adept at it that he took up the job of making up Arjun’s face for ‘Kurudhi Punal’ (those who’ve watched the film can’t forget Arjun’s badly bruised face in the film), and achieved it with élan. “When I’m in California I stay with Michael,” he says.
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