Pattanam Rasheed
Interview with Pattanam Rasheed – Make-up Artist of DAM 999
Q: What factors you have found as most compelling when accepting the offer from the producers of DAM999?
Answer: Many factors thrilled me when I got a call from Mr. Sohan Roy, the director, to be the part of DAM 999. It was quite exciting to be a core player in such a big budget Hollywood project. However, the greatest attraction was the theme of the movie and the scope it provides to test my artistic skills. As one ‘9’ in DAM 999 represents the Navarasa, based on which the nine lead characters have been developed, I could foresee the gargantuan job ahead me. That thrilled me for a real artist always likes to confront challenges demanding a hell of a lot of his creativity.
Q: It is heard that DAM999 is different from other Indian-Hollywood movies in portraying India. Is it true?
Answer: Yes it is. No other Hollywood-Indian productions have ever done such a commendable job before. I was very much impressed with the effort of Sohan Roy to highlight the treasures of India’s cultural heritage through DAM 999. No other Hollywood-Indian productions have ever done such a commendable job before. It was really an honour for me when the director showed faith in my artistry that I could rise up to his expectations.
Q: How much challenging was your job especially when the lead cast is the embodiment of Navaras, the nine emotions?
Answer: DAM 999 is first and foremost an emotional thriller. The director has given so much effort in developing the nine characters, as they have to personify the Navarasa through nine different colours. The function of makeup is to intensify the emotional aura around each character without spoiling the realistic ambience of the scenes. It was such a daunting task, yet I could overcome them with immense support from Sohan Roy and other crew members.
Q: How did you contribute to the disaster scenes of DAM 999?
Answer: I took a backbreaking effort in making up the cast for perfecting the spellbinding scenes that no one can watch without fastening the seatbelts, an extreme adrenaline rush. The rest is suspense [He smiles].
