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EXCLUSIVE: Loved Ranbir Kapoor's look in Sanju? Meet the man who did his prosthetics - Dr. Suresh Murkey
Ranbir Kapoor has stunned everyone with his unbelievable transformation as Sanjay Dutt for his upcoming movie Sanju. We caught up with Dr. Murkey, who spilled the beans on Ranbir Kapoor's look and on working with him
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Ranbir Kapoor has stunned everyone with his unbelievable transformation as Sanjay Dutt for his upcoming movie Sanju. The film, which is a biopic on the actor Sanjay Dutt, has been grabbing headlines ever since it has been announced. Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani, the movie gained momentum, when last year in April. Ranbir Kapoor's images while shooting for the biopic emerged. Dressed in a blue shirt and blue jeans, Ranbir Kapoor was a spitting image of Sanjay Dutt with the white beard, black moustache, receding hairline and the red tika on the forehead. That was Dutt's original look when he was released from jail in 2016. The transformation took everyone by surprise and the movie became the most awaited film of 2018.
Interestingly, last week when the teaser of Sanju released, no one could believe that the actor in the teaser was Ranbir Kapoor. He had transformed himself completely into Sanjay Dutt and absolutely looked believable in that avatar. From his walk to his look, everything about RK was like Sanjay Dutt. Naturally, that has won the actor immense praise. But not many know the man behind this amazing look of Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt. While the makeup for Ranbir has been done by Vikram Gaikwad, the prosthetics were done by Dr. Suresh Murkey, a name popular in the makeup world. We caught up with Dr. Murkey, who spilt the beans on Ranbir Kapoor's look and on working with him. Excerpts:
How did you get associated with Mr. Hirani and Ranbir Kapoor for Sanju?
Rajkumar Hirani came to me one and half years back. He had that time briefed me. The film was in the final scripting stage and I was told that Ranbir Kapoor would be playing Sanjay Dutt. I really didn't think he was the right choice because of the basic difference in their body type. But Ranbir Kapoor has proved everyone wrong. He exactly looks Sanjay Dutt.
How was your first meeting with Ranbir Kapoor and Rajkumar Hirani?
I met Rajkumar Hirani for this movie through makeup designer Vikram Gaikwad's reference. Mr. Hirani had first come to discuss along with him. Vikram and I have been working for many years. I have done the prosthetics for many artistes whose makeup was being done by Vikram. When we met for the first time, it was amazing. Hirani was very clear as to what he wants and how his actor should look. He explained to me in detail that he is making a biopic on Sanjay Dutt and wants to fit Ranbir Kapoor into the looks of Sanjay Dutt. Later, I met Mr. Hirani with Ranbir Kapoor. We had to take his measurements. Mr. Hirani introduced us and then left the room. I interacted with Ranbir and he was very sweet. There were no suggestions from him. He completely believed in Rajkumar Hirani and me.
What was the process of making prosthetics of Ranbir Kapoor? How did you go about it?
Generally, the director sends the photo of how they want us to make the prosthetics. Here, Rajkumar Hirani gave me the pictures of Sanjay Dutt for reference. I had to make the prosthetic according to the pictures given for the different looks of Ranbir Kapoor as Sanju. When there are no pictures, the director gives a sketch. But for Sanju, this was a biopic on Dutt, whom we have seen for so many years. I just had to make prosthetic according to the pictures given that would fit Ranbir Kapoor's face dimensions. It is a two-step process. According to the photo and the prosthetics required, we take the measurements first. We take three-four sets of measurements so that there is no scope for error. Then we make the required prosthetic and give it to film crew, especially the actor and the director.
Did you face any problem with doing the prosthetics of Ranbir for Sanju?
No, not at all. In fact, for Sanju, I gave them all the prosthetic designed for all the different looks at once. They then tried that along with makeup and then had some edits in it. After makeup, they wanted a certain look. And since these prosthetics were made to adjust Ranbir's facial muscles keeping in mind the age that he is representing, Mr. Hirani, Vikram Gaikwad and Ranbir, all three were very particular about how it looks. They had done the marking, according to which I made the changes.Then I had gone with the edited prosthetics when Ranbir Kapoor was shooting in Bandra for something else. Then he himself tried the prosthetics, he was comfortable. The puffiness that was needed on the cheeks that come with age, after wearing prosthetics, just came out perfect. To look aged, the prosthetics were worn on the upper part of the mouth so that the cheeks would look puffy near the nose and below the eyes. For Sanjay Dutt's look from the 90s, Ranbir had to look a little less aged as compared to the 2016 look. So for that, he had to wear the prosthetics down, that would show the cheeks more puffy near the lips and the jaw bone would be different. After the edit, when Ranbir Kapoor himself tried the prosthetic, his first reaction was 'Doctor, this is wow!'
What was your first reaction when you saw Ranbir Kapoor step into the role of Sanjay Dutt?
I never thought that Ranbir Kapoor will be able to look like Sanjay Dutt on the screen. Sanjay Dutt has been bulky whereas Ranbir Kapoor is a lot lean. I am glad the prosthetic suited him. Also, Ranbir worked very well on the body. Hence overall it did the trick. I had to design almost 7-8 moulds so that could show Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt in the different age group. And Ranbir was very cooperative. He never had any issues. In fact, I was asking if the prosthetic was hurting or something and he was like 'perfect hai'. He tried wearing it himself also almost three to four times and could easily do it. And when he wore it, that time it showed the impact. But when the makeup was done, it literally has surprised everyone. Ranbir has put in a lot of efforts and when the teaser came out, it showed.
Is there any precaution that you to take while designing prosthetics for the actors?
When we work on this, we always have to keep buffer time. It takes at least 3-4 days depending on the prosthetics they require. In which 2 days is buffer. For Sanju, things were ready almost a month in advance. They had tried everything and when things were ready, they started shooting. Since the movie heavily depended on prosthetics, they cannot take the risk. Because if there is any issue then the shoot schedule suffers and that can cause them a lot of monetary loss. So all of us were very careful. I don't like to see any suffer losses because of me. Hence, I am very particular about the time frame I need and keep things ready by then, under any circumstances.
Which other actors' prosthetics have you designed in Bollywood?
I started almost 20-25 years back. The first I did was for Shaktimaan serial. Then I continued doing this as a hobby. I used to love making prosthetics. I have made nails, teeth and what not. Then Shakti Kapoor was my first individual client. He was so impressed with my work that he had invited me to lunch on the sets of the film. Then he recommended me to many people including Amrish Puri, Nana Patekar and many others. Now I have worked with the biggest of actors. Make-up designer Vikram Gaikwad got me in touch with Rajkumar Hirani. I have been designing prosthetic for most of the actors with whom Vikram has been working, both in Hindi and other regional language films. With Aamir Khan, I have worked on Rang De Basanti, PK. He is a perfectionist. Very particular about what he wants. There is no scope for adjustments. It has to be just right for him. I have done prosthetics for Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture, Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Abhishek Bachchan in Guru. I have worked with Govinda, Sunny Deol, Viveik Oberoi, Varun Dhawan. Amitabh Bachchan is my favourite but I haven't got a chance to do it for him.
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