When it comes to makeup, Amaran actor Sai Pallavi is an exception. Since her Malayalam debut Premam, she has been confidently appearing on the big screen without any makeup. Pallavi, who chooses to embrace her natural skin and features, says that while it's a conscious choice, she has tried makeup at the behest of her directors. "For Premam and the films that came after, I did put on makeup during the photoshoots or test shoots before we start shooting. Most of the directors would tell me to try makeup, but later on, would say, we like you the way you are," Pallavi told Film Companion in 2023. "I have realised that in cinema, at least, you don't need to have a very different attire or hairdo. It does help, but how well-written a character is will show you in a very different shade. You look different in every film and you have an opportunity to bring out different emotions which makes you look like a different person," she said. Pallavi, 32, also mentioned she is unaware of how it feels to embrace makeup. "I think for the person I am, I don't know how the other side will feel. Maybe, there is a lot of pressure. I am not saying that makeup doesn't help. If it makes you feel confident, you should do it. I feel confident this way and think I'm doing fine (laughs)," she said. Makeup artist Shivani Talla from Ruhvani’s Qala by Shivani shared that while things vary from individual to individual, for most people, makeup is a way to express themselves. "Like a painter uses colours and strokes to express feelings, makeup lets you express your personality and mood. It's a way to show the world who you are and how you feel on any day. It uplifts your spirits and keeps you active," said Talla. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupama Chopra (@anupama.chopra) According to her, makeup helps boost an individual's confidence, which can, in turn, help them present themselves more effectively to others. "It may also be because makeup reflects personal style and self-care," said Talla.
