Veteran Makeup Artist Vikram Gaikwad, Known for Dangal and Uri, Passes Away at 65; Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Expresses Condolences
Makeup Maestro Vikram Gaikwad: A Pioneering, Seven-Time National Award-Winning Visionary, Bows Out
Saying goodbye to one of India's most innovative behind-the-scenes magicians, Vikram Gaikwad, the legendary makeup artist, has departed from us in Mumbai on a melancholy Saturday.
Gaikwad's transformative work in cinema, highly esteemed across the board, earned him the National Film Award for Best Makeup Artist a staggering seven times. He left us at 65 years old.
Gaikwad's final journey commences at 4:30 pm on Saturday, as his remains are laid to rest at Shivaji Park Crematorium, Dadar. Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, grieved deeply over Gaikwad's departure.
Sharing heartfelt condolences on his social media platform, Shinde described Gaikwad as a "wonder worker who breathed life into characters on the silver screen."
He continued by acknowledging Gaikwad's indispensable impact on shaping the visual legacy of Indian cinema, particularly within historical and biographical films.
"The enchanter who breathed life into characters on the silver screen has disappeared!" Shinde wrote poignantly on his social media.
"His inherent skill to transmute actors and bring both fictional and real-life personalities to the screen was nothing short of miraculous. His death constitutes an irreparable loss to the world of cinema and art," Shinde added poignantly.
Gaikwad ignited his extraordinary career with the film 'Sardar' and flourished into a transformative force in makeup artistry for both Bollywood and regional cinema.
Some of his notable achievements on the big screen include:
- Uri: The Surgical Strike
- Panipat
- Bell Bottom, where he transformed Lara Dutta into Indira Gandhi[1][2].
- 83, during which he crafted Ranveer Singh's visage to mirror the likeness of Kapil Dev[2].
- Dangal
- PK
- Super 30
- Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
- Sanju
- Shakuntala Devi
- Ponniyin Selvan, a historical epic film[5].
Gaikwad's accolades extended beyond makeup to creating believable, engaging characters through his craft, solidifying his standing as a celebrated figure in the industry. These achievements were evident not only in Hindi cinema but also in Marathi films like 'Lokmanya', 'Fatteshikast,' and 'Sher Shivraj'.
Gaikwad's impressive body of work boasts numerous prominent Hindi films such as 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 'Delhi-6', '3 Idiots', 'Kaminey', and 'Ishqiya', to name a few.
[1] https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/gone-too-soon-vikram-gaikwad-dies-memorial-service-to-take-place-tomorrow-in-mumbai-1035167.html[2] https://www.news18.com/news/movies/vikram-gaikwad-bollywood-s-notable-makeup-artist-dies-at-65-report-says-3905017.html[3] https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vikram-gaikwad-famed-makeup-artist-dies-at-65/article37459140.ece[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/article/indian-makeup-artist-vikram-gaikwad-dies-65-report-says-n1295773[5] https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/vikram-gaikwad-a-legendary-makeup-artist-of-the-indian-film-industry-is-no-more-2384867.html
Gaikwad's remarkable artistry in the world of cinema will undoubtedly be missed by celebrities and admirers alike, influenced numerous historical and biographical films, and solidified his standing as a celebrated figure in the industry. On Saturday,Gaikwad's memorable journey through the crematorium commenced at 4:30 pm. Despite his disappearance, his astounding work, such as making Lara Dutta resemble Indira Gandhi in 'Bell Bottom', Ranveer Singh resemble Kapil Dev in '83', and transforming countless other characters, will forever remain a part of Indian entertainment.
