Meet India's Top Makeup Artist Preetisheel Singh: Ex-TCS Techie Behind Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar Looks & Allu Arjun’s Pushpa Transformation; Holds A Degree In.....
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Preetisheel Singh, one of India’s top prosthetic and character design artists, is the creative force behind the striking transformations in Dhurandhar, including the looks of Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and R. Madhavan.
While the cast of Dhurandhar has been praised for their acting, the visual transformation each character undergoes has sparked equal buzz. The artist responsible for these dramatic makeovers is now one of India’s most sought-after prosthetic designers.
Over the years, Preetisheel has collaborated with some of the biggest stars across Indian cinema including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Allu Arjun, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, and Tabu.
Her meticulous transformations have earned her a reputation as the go-to expert for complex character designs.
Before becoming a prosthetics trailblazer, Preetisheel was working a typical corporate job. In a 2018 conversation with Rediff, she revealed that she began her career at TCS in Delhi, later moving to New York for three years as part of the same job.
Her fascination with transformation began early. Fictional worlds like The Lord of the Rings and Kamal Haasan’s iconic makeover in Chachi 420 inspired her deeply. According to an Economic Times report, she saved up for nearly three years to pursue her dream of studying makeup overseas.
Upon returning to India, she spent over a year experimenting with alternate materials to recreate the techniques she learned abroad. Her specialised focus on prosthetic design, still a rare expertise in India , helped her stand out in the film industry.
Her career took off unexpectedly when UK prosthetic designer Mike Stringer required an additional artist for Krrish 3 after his assistant couldn’t travel to India. Stepping in at the right moment, she seized the opportunity. Soon after, she designed nearly a dozen complex looks for Nanak Shah Fakir, including age-progressed characters, solidifying her place in the field.
Today, Preetisheel co-owns Da Makeup Lab with her husband and partner, Mark D’Souza. Considered India’s foremost character designer, she is a two-time National Award winner — first for Nanak Shah Fakir and later for Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Her studio continues to revolutionise prosthetic and character design in Indian cinema.
