Make-up Talk with Sonu Verma

• What was it like doing make-up on Bollywood stars?
  At first I felt a bit nervous, it was like I was doing an exam or a test. But then it was really exciting, wow! I felt I am actually making the stars look better. But then I know that a face is a face whoever it is. We are all the same. I have to do a job and do it to my best ability.
  
  
• Do these stars expect a lot?
  No, they never expect a lot or any special treatment. They are also doing a job just like me. And they know that we all have to work as a team.

• Have you ever ruined any of their make-up or were any of them not satisfied with your work?
  Generally, before I start to apply make up on anyone be it a star, a newsreader or a presenter, I always ask them what they prefer. So normally, once I begin they are aware of what I am doing. Make up can always be removed or added if necessary. So the answer is everyone is satisfied.
  

• With Indian soaps the make-up is pasted on? Is this what you have to do or do you try and use your own style, look and technique?
  Soap opears in India are almost quite theatrical, as though they are on stage which is why the make up is slightly more than usual. The approach I use for Indian soap operas is to accentuate the features and try and make them more prominent. That's the look generally that the directors want.
  

• How different is it working in India compared to the U.K?
  The style of make up in India is certainly different to the UK. Also, I have noticed that the majority of make up artists in the UK are female, whereas in India its practically all male. India still loves the glamorous and glittery look, even for news anchors and chefs who are doing cookery shows! The UK is more subtle but nonetheless exciting and creative. The people are lovely and are pleasantly surprised to see a male make up artist.

• How did you start working in Bollywood?
  I started working in the make up industry five years ago as an apprentice with my master who I watched at work. So it was on the job training for me. Working in Bollywood is very hard work and not as glamorous as it may appear. I have to make sure that I get my side of the work done especially when one is working in a team. We all have to work together in order to get it right. Plus in certain areas of India the hours are often very long with no overtime which I feel is bad.
  

• Has it been a difficult industry to break into in Bollywood and the UK?
  Yes, I wouldn't say it was easy, but it can be done through hard work. It has taken me five years and there are thousands of make up artists in India. You have to be a little bit different to stand out from the rest, and the same applies here in the UK I suppose.

• Which industry do you prefer?
  Actually I like them both for different reasons – India because it's my homeland and the UK because I love the people.

• What do you want to do in the future? What do you hope to achieve?
  Like everyone else I have dreams. To make a little more money than I currently earn and meet many new faces, because everyday is a fresh challenge for me. I hope I can make a benchmark for other make up artists to follow and to be treated fairly in the industry. These are some of the things I hope to achieve.
  
  
  

• What stars would you like to work with next?
  If I ever in my entire life I would get just one chance to do make up it would be for Madonna.
  

• Who is your inspiration and role model?
  I suppose my parents are my inspiration and my role model would be my master who trained me.
  

• You must have built up a great portfolio as you have done work with Pepsi, Jolen, Samsung etc. Tell us more ....
  I take each job as it comes, as each job is different. But the key to all the jobs is to make the person who's make up I am applying happy. They are all big brand names but that doesn't really bother me.
  

• Any make-up tips you'd like to share?
  I get asked what is the most important beauty product to have in a woman's handbag and I always say that you cannot go wrong with lipgloss. One application can make a huge difference to one's appearance and can perk you up within seconds.
  

• What is so unique about your make-up?
  I hope I have a modern approach to make up where less is more. I do not think that putting on lots of make up will make someone look good on the screen unless you are doing an Indian serial and the director requests the heavy style. But in general, when I do a person's make up, I look at their best features and highlight them through make up.

• Do you find it hard finding the right color foundation for Asians in the UK?
  Yes, I have found it a little bit difficult as the market seems to be more for European skins.
  

• Why do actors in Bollywood and soap opears apply so much make-up in your opinion? Do you prefer the natural look?
  Maybe it because once the film is printed the heavy make up would look kind of normal, plus Bollywood and the serials are all about glamour, fantasy and escapism not real life. But personally, I prefer the natural look.
  

• Would you like to change the fact that they apply so much make-up in Bollywood?
  Yes, I would especially during scenes when for example a woman has just woken up and got out of bed. In real life, no one would be all dolled up like that so it's not realistic. Or even in some hospital scenes, where they look like they've just painted their face.
  

• Which actress applies the best make-up in Hollywood or Bollywood?
  Bollywood and Hollywood both have different styles. And they work for both genres in their own ways. No make up is better than the other. They are both necessary for the approach to the look they want to achieve.