'Perazhagan': a makeup miracle

The makeup man has had his glorious moments in Tamil cinema before.

For those who came in late, an early instance of makeup magic was provided over a half a century ago in "Kanavane Kankanda Deivam", starring Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi. The transformation of a youthful Gemini into a decrepit old man was so telling that the role won the hero a National Award.

More recently, of course, Kamal Haasan astonished viewers by his metamorphosis into a midget in "Apoorva Sahodarargal", and the innovative filmmaker has to date insisted on keeping the method employed a close secret.

Surya, who claims to have been inspired by Kamal in "Apoorva Sahodarargal", is the beneficiary of yet another makeup miracle in "Perazhagan".

Bujji Babu is the little-known genius who, with a special kit imported from the US, transformed the matinee idol into the ugly, buck-toothed hunchback Chinna.