How Vidya turned into Geeta Bali
Makeup artist Vidyadhar Bhatte and costume designer Subarna Ray Chaudhuri reveal what it took for the actress to slip into character for a Marathi biopic on Bhagwan Dada.
Mirror (September 10, 2015) was the first to report that Vidya Balan plays yesteryear actress Geeta Bali in Ekk Albela, a Marathi biopic on the late actor-director Bhagwan Dada. Veteran make-up artiste, Vidyadhar Bhatte who had recommended Vidya for the role in the Shekhar Sartandeldirected film, reveals that the team spent only a day experimenting on the look.
“I took six-seven wigs along and tried out 10 hairstyles before zeroing down on a middle parting that enhanced the likeness between the two,” says Vidyadhar, adding that the National Awardwinning actress has been wanting to do a Marathi film for a long time. “She was in Cochin when I called her. She heard the script upon her return and immediately agreed to be a part of the film.”
Meanwhile, costume designer Subarna Ray Chaudhuri was armed with an entire wardrobe for the actress when she arrived for the look test and designed the costumes in just six days. “We had a clear brief that Vidya had to look exactly like Geeta Bali, especially in the songs, “Shola Jo Bhadke” and “Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote”. I have worked with Vidya on Parineeta earlier so I am familiar with her taste. We used a lot of pista green, maroon and yellow because the colours complement her,” she says.
The designer would send pictures of sample fabrics to the director who would convert them in black and white to see if they had the desired effect. Even the jewellery was customised. “Designs from the time aren’t readily available. We’ve used a lot of gold, silver, emeralds, rubies and pearls. Hoop earrings which were in vogue, as also voluminous georgettes, silk and prints. We wanted to stay true to the theme and the period so saris were draped in a certain way, the skirts were high-waisted and the blouses had cowl necks,” the designer concludes.
Mirror (September 10, 2015) was the first to report that Vidya Balan plays yesteryear actress Geeta Bali in Ekk Albela, a Marathi biopic on the late actor-director Bhagwan Dada. Veteran make-up artiste, Vidyadhar Bhatte who had recommended Vidya for the role in the Shekhar Sartandeldirected film, reveals that the team spent only a day experimenting on the look.
“I took six-seven wigs along and tried out 10 hairstyles before zeroing down on a middle parting that enhanced the likeness between the two,” says Vidyadhar, adding that the National Awardwinning actress has been wanting to do a Marathi film for a long time. “She was in Cochin when I called her. She heard the script upon her return and immediately agreed to be a part of the film.”
And even though yesteryear actresses wore heavy make-up on screen, Vidyadhar wanted to keep the look as natural as possible. “Geeta Bali had a thin upper lip so I used foundation to make Vidya’s lip appear thinner. Ditto for her eyebrows which I coloured,” he explains, happy that Vidya didn’t take much time to get dressed and would never interfere in his work. “We would take an hour-and-a-half max to be ready for the camera.”
Meanwhile, costume designer Subarna Ray Chaudhuri was armed with an entire wardrobe for the actress when she arrived for the look test and designed the costumes in just six days. “We had a clear brief that Vidya had to look exactly like Geeta Bali, especially in the songs, “Shola Jo Bhadke” and “Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote”. I have worked with Vidya on Parineeta earlier so I am familiar with her taste. We used a lot of pista green, maroon and yellow because the colours complement her,” she says.
The designer would send pictures of sample fabrics to the director who would convert them in black and white to see if they had the desired effect. Even the jewellery was customised. “Designs from the time aren’t readily available. We’ve used a lot of gold, silver, emeralds, rubies and pearls. Hoop earrings which were in vogue, as also voluminous georgettes, silk and prints. We wanted to stay true to the theme and the period so saris were draped in a certain way, the skirts were high-waisted and the blouses had cowl necks,” the designer concludes.
