Huge responsibility to bring Thackeray back to life: Make-up artist

National award-winning makeup and prosthetics artist Preetisheel Singh, who had transformed Nawazuddin Siddiqui's look for MOM, has once again worked on the actor's get-up for him to suit the lead role in Thackeray, a biopic on Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

Ever since the teaser of Thackeray was released by Uddhav Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan, it has been getting rave reviews and has been a topic of discussion amongst the people. The film is presented by Sanjay Raut and directed by Abhijit Panse.

"I am grateful to the makers for having shown faith and trust in my work," says Preetisheel. "When a personality like Balasaheb Thackeray is being brought to life on celluloid, the responsibility is tremendous," feels the artist.

She has made a lot of heads turn with her work for actors in more than 15 movies including Bajirao Mastani, Rangoon, Brothers, Mom, Haider, Parched, Hawaizaada, Shivaay, Talwar, Housefull 3, Ghayal Once Again, Finding Fanny, the Tamil film '24' as well as the pre-Mughal historical epic Nanak Shah Fakir for which she won the 'National Film Award for Best Make-Up'.

Her work will also be seen in awaited movies like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati, Umesh Shukla's 102 not Out, Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi and Sunny Deol's Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas.

She puts in a strong word for Nawazuddin's dedication. "He is not only a brilliant actor but one who treats his art and profession like prayers. During the three-odd hours it took to get him into the look, his studious silence and study of his face was inspiring. It was as if he was in a meditative mode," she said.

But Preetisheel admits the she was overcome with anxiety about the reaction she would get from the makers. Recalling the situation during the teaser shoot she says, "When Nawazuddin finally emerged out of the makeup room after the get-up, everyone had a very judging look on their faces.

And then, suddenly I saw huge smiles everywhere. The makers were impressed. They praised me and shook hands with me. I can never forget that elated moment. I heaved a huge sigh of relief."