June 29, 2005

Star behind the scene:
Henry Martis - Bollywood’s 'Makeup' Hero

By Daijiworld News Network - Global

Makeup is one of the main features of a movie or a drama. Makeup men normally are the ignored artists among the other artists in the field, though makeup guys are the ones who change the look of the actors and actresses, and bring life into their characterization. Makeup can alter the look of 20-year into an 80-year old and vice-versa. Hence it is much more important.

In a movie, a makeup man goes unnoticed. Some of us might even think as to what is so difficult in making-up, you simply need some colour and brush to do that.

The inside story is a bit different than you think. It is much more a difficult task. Believe it or not, an actor has more importance and respect towards the makeup man, because only the makeup artist can present the actor to the public in the most presentable manner.

With Aishwarya

Bollywood has seen plenty of makeup artists, but Henry Martis is one of the veteran and most respected artists is hailing from Shirva - Manchakal of Udupi Taluk. Henry is well-known in Bollywood industry as a specialist and pioneer in the art of makeup.  Moreover, he is one among our own people, a true Mangalorean. 

Henry hails from a simple family background.  In his early age, like others, he left Shirva in search of his future in Mumbai. Choosing 'makeup' profession was an accident. He never wanted to become a makeup artist. It all simply happened during the journey of his life.

With Amitabh

Henry's father Martis was working for a gas company in Mumbai. Mother Eliza Martis was a housewife. Since the financial position of their family was not very good, Henry had to put an end to his schooling in 6th standard and then he migrated to the city of dreams. There too, he did not give up his studies. Henry had to opt for night school while working during the day time in the hotels and bungalows. He studied until 9th and got attracted towards the Navy. He was selected for the Naval training and went to Visakhapatnam. But he did not like the military disciplined life in that career, so he came back to Mumbai and worked as Motorbike repair assistant.

Turning Point:

His turning point of the life was getting a job at former film actor Jayanth's team (Jayanth is the father of famous villain Amjad Khan). While going out with Jayanth for the shooting, Henry got attracted towards the Hindi movies. Later he got a job with Shatrughan Sinha. Shatrughan had a camera, which he used to rent out. Henry got the responsibility of taking care of that imported camera. Henry also got the opportunity to work with the unit of famous director T K Desai.

With Sanjay Dutt

Attracted towards Makeup art.

Already in Bollywood, there was a Mangalorean well known makeup man Belcher Pereira, who used help a lot Mangalorean boys by teaching makeup skills. Henry started learning the skills from Belcher and attracted towards the makeup art. Even Henry learnt the skills from Pandari Juker and worked as assistant makeup artist in the movie 'Zindagi Zindagi'. There was no looking back from there. Henry got the opportunity to work with movies like 'Darr', 'Priyatam' etc. Since he got the training he needed through the help of other makeup men, Henry decided to do the job independently.

Henry with Cricketer former G R Vishwanath, Shatrugna and Vishnuvardan

Henry's first movie as independent makeup man was B K Chopra's movie 'Pati Patni Aur Voh' featured by Sanjeev Kumar and Vidya Sinha. Raj Babbar, Zeenat Aman, Deepak Parashar's 'Insaaf Ki Tarazu', 'Nikhaah', 'Danny', 'Burning Train' and others are the key movies of Henry as a makeup man.

When Shatrughan Sinha came to know about Henry Martis, he requested Henry to become his full-time makeup man. Henry has high regards for Shatrughan, since he used to travel with him at many place, right from the day of villain to hero. Henry says: "Shatrughan is a true gentleman of Hindi movie. He does a lot of social service".

While working with Shatrughan, Henry used to freelance makeup with Leena Chandaverkar, Mausumi Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Roy and others. Even he was the key makeup artist for Sony TV's 'Indian Idol-2005'.

With wife Gracy

With Mahesh Manjrekar:

Henry is known to Mahesh Manjrekar since Mahesh was directing Marathi Movies. When Mahesh made his debut in Hindi, Henry worked as chief makeup artist. He was very proud to the part of 'Astitva' and 'Vaastav'. Even when Astitva was remade in English as 'It Was Raining That Night', Henry rendered his makeup skills to that movie.

He was delighted when he did makeup to the Union Railway Minister Laloo Pasad Yadav during the movie 'Padma Shree Laloo Prasad Yadav'. He remembers the humorous nature of Laloo while doing the makeup.

Henry Martis is now in this field for over three decades. He points out the changes in the art of makeup. During those days, more importance was being given to lighting effects hence there was a need of heavy makeup. But in the recent days, lighting effect is less and there is no need of heavy makeup.

Only the experience will help to give better quality day by day he says.

Living a happy family life, Henry's wife is a housewife. His daughter Carol works in Dubai. Henry's second daughter Lidwin and son Stalin are in Mumbai.