Latest news with #DarshanYewalekar
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood hair designer Darshan Yewalekar: Vicky Kaushal is chill and Ranveer Singh surrenders to your vision
Darshan Yewalekar styles Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan From dreaming of the stars as an aspiring aeronautical engineer to shaping some of Bollywood's most iconic looks, Darshan Yewalekar's journey has been anything but ordinary. Today, he's a noted hair designer known for crafting unforgettable styles in cinematic spectacles like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Laal Kaptaan, and 83. But his beginnings were humble—a small-town boy from Bhusawal (Maharashtra), raised in a family of modest means. He recalls, 'I scored 60% in my 12th science exams and dreamt of studying further in a big city. But due to financial constraints, my father sat me down and said we couldn't afford it. My mom was a beautician, and when one door closed, I thought of giving hairstyling a shot. I didn't know anything, but I had seen her work. That's how it all started.' With a monthly salary of just ₹2,000 at his first job in a local salon, Darshan moved to Pune to train and eventually made his way to Mumbai under the guidance of a senior stylist. It was there that fate intervened, landing him on the sets of Subhash Ghai's Yuvvraaj, styling none other than Salman Khan . Darshan Yewalekar styles Ranveer Singh The Ranveer Singh era and a decade of transformation: Darshan's long-standing creative partnership with Ranveer Singh began soon after, culminating in a decade of bold, radical transformations — both on and off screen. He says, 'Ranveer has perfect hair, and more importantly, he surrenders completely to the process. He gives 500 per cent to your vision and showcases it with 1000 per cent conviction. He's not afraid of experimentation. From twin ponytails to asymmetrical quiffs and even mohawks, he's carried it all with style. ' One unforgettable moment was during Bajirao Mastani, when they debated whether Ranveer should shave his head. 'I told him, let's not fake it. Let's do this for real. If you want to feel like Bajirao, this is the way. And we shaved it off. It was a surreal, unforgettable moment.' Styling the stars: Saif Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and more Besides Ranveer, Darshan has worked with stars like Saif Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and Akshay Kumar. 'Saif is a thorough professional. I remember before the shoot of Laal Kaptaan, I felt the beard wasn't working. I told him I needed to redo it. It was already 6 pm. He calmly said, 'Go for it'. That kind of trust is rare,' he shares, and adds, 'Vicky is the most chill. I once took over an hour styling him for a shoot, and he patiently let me work. When I needed five more minutes, he smiled and said, 'Take your time'. That humility makes all the difference.' Crafting period drama perfection Designing for historical dramas like Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani brought their own set of challenges. 'There are few authentic references, so you have to imagine and interpret. For Khilji, we went with wild, unruly hair to reflect his menacing nature. Bajirao's look evolved through the film, mirroring his emotional and psychological journey,' explains Darshan. Even in modern historicals like Kesari 2, in which he styled Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan, the attention to detail was paramount. He shares, 'We had to get the British characters right too—like General Dyer. That meant wigs, moustaches, and era-appropriate styling for characters like Regina Cassandra's Parvathy, who transitions from South Indian traditions to Victorian elegance.' Behind-the-scenes stories and dream collaborations Darshan has his fair share of on-set stories. 'Once, while trimming Salman bhai's hair, he turned his head and the trimmer nicked his ear. I panicked, but he just dabbed some cologne and told me to continue,' he laughs. He also fondly remembers Berlin, where he styled Ranveer for Gully Boy's international premiere. 'I dressed up too, just to take a photo with him. That pose became our signature — we recreate it every time now.' What's next? With a growing list of film projects and a wish list that includes working with Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Hrithik Roshan, Rajamouli, and Mani Ratnam, Darshan shows no signs of slowing down. 'I fell in love with this craft. The joy of transforming someone and watching them light up — that's irreplaceable. I didn't choose this path — it chose me. And I surrendered to it completely,' he concludes.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
World Environment Day: Meet the Bollywood Icons who are actively investing in sustainable choices for a greener planet
World Environment Day 2025 on June 5 is a call for collective action to tackle plastic pollution and to work towards the ideation and implementation of real-world solutions. It issues an invitation every year to individuals, organisations, industries, and governments, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change. Meet celebrities from the entertainment industry who have heeded the call and are investing their time and resources in environmental health. They are showing by example that they believe in positive action and not in empty proclamations. Darshan Yewalekar Celebrity hair designer Darshan Yewalekar who has worked with stars like Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat is also a successful entrepreneur. His dream Project D Barbershop now has two branches in Mumbai. In keeping with Darshan's passion for sustainability, D Barbershop boasts biodegradable towels as well as non-toxic and cruelty-free products. There is also a sharp focus on minimising plastic usage in this new-age grooming space. Setting a precedent in the grooming industry, Darshan is demonstrating that sustainability can be seamlessly incorporated into a brand via eco-friendly practices. Darshan also advocates for mindful grooming, educating his clientele about the benefits of cleaner, greener choices in personal care. These small, consistent changes could include eco-conscious brands as well as minimising water and energy wastage. Alia Bhatt Since her debut in 2012, Alia Bhatt has not only established herself as an accomplished, versatile, award-winning actor but also as an astute entrepreneur. Known also for repeating her outfits including her wedding saree when she received a National Award, Alia often speaks up for the environment and sustainable fashion. She has also founded an eco-friendly kidswear brand, Ed-a-Mamma. Named after her beloved pet Edward, the brand is known for clothing made from natural fabrics that are light on the skin, non-irritable and good for kids as well as the planet. Ed-a-Mamma has also expanded its range to include toys, accessories, sling bags and more. Ajay Devgn Ajay Devgn has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the World Environment Day 2025 campaign by Ravin Group and a leading environmental NGO, Bhamla Foundation. Through this association, Devgn has underlined his commitment to working towards a greener tomorrow while highlighting the importance of individual responsibility in protecting the environment. He has also participated in various tree plantation drives including the one steered by the Green India Challenge. He also took part in the Mega Vriksha Campaign of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He is also demonstrating how important it is to work towards a healthy environment by planting saplings and expanding urban green cover. Kriti Sanon Actor Kriti Sanon's Hyphen is a skincare brand with a difference as it adheres to ethical practices and is committed to environmental responsibility. Hyphen's range of products is 100% vegan and promises a zero-plastic footprint. Kriti launched Hyphen in 2023, as a brand focused on science-backed, eco-sensitive solutions. She has also co-founded The Tribe, a fitness and wellness brand with a holistic approach to well-being. Additionally, she is the brand ambassador of the sanitary napkin brand Pro-ease which actively promotes menstrual hygiene and awareness through initiatives like the #BadalKarDekho campaign and a Pro-hygiene Camp. Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh co-founded Imagine Foods, a plant-based meat brand in 2020. This was their way to counter the adverse impact of factory farming on the environment. Genelia has also collaborated with Starbucks India to initiate a new plant-based meat menu in order to expand vegan options and increase the availability of plant-based food choices. For her contribution to the plant-based food space, Genelia was honoured at the MEWA India 2025 conclave. Genelia has been speaking passionately and consistently about the need to combine taste with sustainability so that consumers can savour cruelty-free foods while also reducing their environmental footprint.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Darshan Yewalekar Redefines Grooming Industry
Darshan Yewalekar is not just a name behind some of Hindi cinema's most iconic looks, but a trailblazer in India's grooming industry. Known for designing unforgettable hairstyles in cinematic blockbusters like 'Padmaavat', 'Bajirao Mastani', '83', and 'Laal Kaptaan', Yewalekar has become a force to reckon with—not only in the world of film but also in entrepreneurship. In an exclusive conversation with The Hans India, the celebrity hair designer and founder of D Barbershop in Mumbai shared insights from his two-decade-long journey and offered actionable advice for young entrepreneurs eager to make their mark in the grooming industry. 'There is a new wave of self-made talent in the beauty industry,' Yewalekar says. 'Many grooming startups are booming, and many are fizzling out. From my own experience, I have drawn a few lessons that can help someone who is just starting and dreaming of their own business.' Here are Darshan Yewalekar's five essential tips for budding entrepreneurs stepping into the world of grooming: Here are Darshan's five tips for young entrepreneurs looking to enter the grooming business: Specialisation is key: Hairstyling and cutting are basic skills. Knowing how to cut and style hair is one part of the job, but the second part is constantly upgrading your craft and aiming for specialisation so that you are known for a distinctive skill set. Learning on the job is very important. When you spend the requisite time as an intern in a salon, barbershop or film set, you will gain invaluable knowledge. Working in a barbershop is completely different from working on a film set. The technique and styling are different, and you have to pay attention to the nitty-gritty of every challenge. Every workplace has its own demands. Learn the structure and discipline required for getting the basics right, because only when you know the craft can you break the rules. Mastering skills helps you to stand out in the industry, and so gaining hands-on experience is critical before starting your own venture. Have a long-term goal: The entrepreneurial space is exciting, and if your craft and dedication are exceptional, success will be yours. But it is important to surrender to your craft, attend to the micro and macro details of your business and not expect overnight success. It has taken me 22 years of committed work to bring hair design to the fore in the film industry and be a successful entrepreneur. Be ready to surrender to your work, set long-term goals and strive to achieve them. Remember, the competition is tough, and you must commit to excellence. This will help you to make a mark in this industry eventually, as grooming and styling have a strong potential for continuous expansion. Balance creativity with business smarts: Managing the creative side with business demands the creation of a sustainable brand, and there is a lot to learn from Adhuna Akhtar's success with B Blunt. She transformed cinematic hair design with films like 'Dil Chahta Hai' and also went on to create a big brand. For me personally, doing creatively fulfilling work as a hair designer is very important, but so is ensuring that D Barbershop has uncompromising standards, along with impeccable as well as profitable business practices. Both can be complementary to each other. Handling the financial aspect of a business, managing clients as well as your workforce needs undiluted focus, and if you cannot give the requisite time and attention to these aspects, it is better to just be a successful freelancer. Create jobs and offer mentorship: Growing businesses require talented, young people, and it is a good idea to nurture a talent pool to not just expand your brand but elevate barbering to the next level. To give you an example, I started with one assistant initially as a freelancer, and at D Barbershop, I had two assistants. Since then, the team has grown to almost 42 people because there are opportunities for everyone to learn and grow on the job. Grooming and styling offer exciting breaks to young people, and as an entrepreneur, you can mentor and empower them to make a mark. My own assistant, Prateek, who has worked with me for almost nine years, decided to spread his wings and go independent. It was really exciting for me to see my prodigy fly. Grooming startups are helping young talent grow by offering real career paths, and you too can play a seminal role in this. Focus on wellness and health: At D Barbershop, we are not just offering transformative haircuts but a wellness-centric experience to everyone who walks in. We treat every client with the same amount of respect and care and offer them services that blend the wisdom of the East with the cutting-edge technology of the West. The ambience is relaxing, and we are focused on overall well-being and holistic care. The future of barbering goes beyond just haircuts and is about comprehensive care. Any business that wants repeat clients must focus on these broader themes.
