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Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This multitalented South superstar once worked as a makeup artist in Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo 3'
Kamal Haasan is widely celebrated as one of Indian cinema's most versatile actors. Known for pushing boundaries, his journey through the world of entertainment includes far more than just acting. One little-known chapter of his early career took him behind the scenes of a major Hollywood production—Rambo III, starring Sylvester Stallone . At a time when he was already a well-known name in Indian cinema, Kamal made the unconventional choice to explore the world of prosthetic makeup. His curiosity and commitment to mastering the art took him to Hollywood, where he worked on Rambo III as a makeup artist. Learning from the Best Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Kamal Haasan's stint in Hollywood was not a mere celebrity guest appearance on set. He underwent rigorous training under Academy Award-winning makeup artist Michael Westmore. During this time, he gained practical experience by contributing directly to the film's makeup department. Speaking about his time on Rambo III in The Kapil Sharma Show, Haasan recalled, 'I was working in the backlot. I made all the bumps on Mr Stallone's face. I was learning makeup then and I was there for a month-and-a-half, learning prosthetic makeup. I wanted to learn the art because nobody wanted to learn that. It was such a pleasure because nobody knew me. I stopped at shops, drank cold drinks and I was walking in the street.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Celebrity Doctor: Do This Every Night and Lose Weight Like Never Before Blog - Natural Health Learn More Undo Haasan wasn't seeking the limelight—he was there to learn. This experience would prove to be foundational for his later work in Indian cinema, where he would go on to use advanced prosthetics in several of his films, including Indian, Avvai Shanmugi, and Dasavathaaram. Kamal Haasan Credits and Recognition His contribution to Rambo III is officially listed in the IMDb credits under the makeup department. Kamal also continued his collaboration with Michael Westmore in Star Trek: First Contact, which went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup. Despite opportunities in Hollywood, Haasan chose to return to India and apply what he had learned to elevate the Indian film industry 's technical standards. Kamal Haasan's work as a makeup artist had a lasting impact. He became known for transforming his appearance in films, often using prosthetics and heavy makeup to portray multiple characters. His groundbreaking use of special effects makeup in Indian cinema was largely inspired by what he learned during his time in Hollywood. His role in the recent sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD is another testament to his range. He played Supreme Yaskin, the central antagonist, showcasing his ongoing commitment to choosing diverse and complex roles. This latest appearance followed his acclaimed performances in Vikram and his return to the Indian franchise with the upcoming Indian 2. Kamal Haasan's Legacy Kamal Haasan's decision to step behind the scenes at the peak of his stardom reveals his dedication to learning and innovation. From making prosthetic bumps on Sylvester Stallone's face to revolutionizing special effects in Indian films, his contributions extend well beyond what fans see on screen. Even Michael Westmore's daughter, McKenzie Westmore, acknowledged their close family connection to Haasan, tweeting about her memories of him visiting their home and the gifts he brought from India.


Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Remember child actor Rinku who got kidnapped in Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal starrer Hera Pheri? Here's what she is up to now!
Hera Pheri completed 20 years in 2020, and while fans fondly remember characters like Raju and Baburao, many forget the kidnapped girl Rinku, played by . Now 30, Ann looks completely unrecognizable in her recent photos. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Early Life and Acting Career Ann Alexia Anra, born and raised in Chennai, began her acting career at a young age. She appeared as a child artist in several notable films across Bollywood and Kollywood. Among her most memorable roles are the kidnapped girl in Hera Pheri and the daughter of and Meena in the Tamil classic Avvai Shanmugi. Limited Filmography and Family Decisions Despite her early success, Ann Alexia Anra acted in only four films — Avvai Shanmugi, Hera Pheri, Thaayin Manikodi, and Hathyara. She once revealed that while her parents supported her work in advertisements, they were hesitant about film roles due to the time commitment involved. They allowed her to do Hera Pheri only because it was filmed during her summer vacation. After that, they decided she should step away from acting — a decision she continues to respect to this day. Memories from the Set of Hera Pheri In an interview celebrating 20 years of Hera Pheri, Ann Alexia Anra fondly recalled her time on set. She shared memories of the fun atmosphere, 's playful pranks, and an incident where scolded her for getting too close to the camera. She also remembered happily accepting sweets and chocolates from the stars. At the time, Annie admitted she wasn't familiar with the film industry or aware of the big names she was working with, which actually helped her feel more at ease during the shoot. After stepping away from acting, Ann Alexia Anra shifted her focus to academics. She received a French government scholarship that enabled her to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in France. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Upon returning to India, she began her professional journey, first working at an advertising agency and later at a software company. Today, she has carved out a successful career as a social media and digital marketing expert. Annie's Current Stance on Acting Annie considers herself an ex-actress and has no plans to return to films. Though she still takes up the occasional commercial offer, she feels she was more suited to acting as a child. She has expressed that coming back to the film industry would require more effort than she's willing to put in now. The Covid-19 Lockdown and Hera Pheri's Resurgence During the Covid-19 lockdown, classic films like Hera Pheri and Avvai Shanmugi saw a resurgence in popularity. With easy access to films online, many viewers revisited these iconic titles. Memes from Hera Pheri in particular made a strong comeback on social media, bringing the beloved trio of Baburao, Raju, and Shyam back into the spotlight and winning over a new generation of fans. While the memes were capturing hearts on social media, audiences also grew curious about the film's characters. One standout was 'Rinku,' the kidnapped girl from Hera Pheri, sparking the trending question, 'Who is she?' Likewise, Tamil viewers revisited Avvai Shanmugi, fueling similar interest in its cast.