In Conversation With Amit Thakur, Bollywood’s ‘Mane’ Man

Bad hair days—bleh; it’s the good hair days that we live for. There’s something so enticing about loosely tangled strands, perfectly perched atop one’s shoulders, unconfined on a breezy summer morning. Seems straight out of a movie scene? Perhaps. But, in reality, styling a modish mane takes work, and no one better than a celebrity hairstylist to vouch for that. Amit Thakur, whose roster of celebrity clients includes the likes of Katrina Kaif, Janhvi Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt, is a man of many moments in the Indian film industry.

In conversation with the maestro, he takes us backstage and divulges details about all that goes into creating the scene-stealing hairstyles of A-listers.

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Cosmopolitan: When on set, walk us through the process of building an on-screen character from scratch.

Amit Thakur: “The process begins with a brief about the character and the movie—‘what is the mood’, ‘which era is it set in?’ Post that, we draw up a character sketch, including the minutest of details about the role. For instance, if it’s an action film, we may choose to opt for the humble ponytail, a fuss-free look that doesn’t come in the way of stunts. On the other hand, if the character hails from a small town, we go for a more raw, real look, one that is both believable and relatable. Getting a stylist on board early on helps the team get a feeler of the finished look.”

Cosmopolitan: Tell us about the reel characters you’ve helped bring to life over the past few years.

AT: “From all the films that I’ve worked on, the most iconic look would have to be Deepika Padukone as Padmavati in Padmaavat (2018). The period film, set in the 13th century, urged me to deep dive into the pages of history to create a memorable character—transitioning from a Sri Lankan princess to a Rajput queen; got my creative juices flowing.”

“Another one would be Kumud played by Katrina Kaif in Bharat (2019). Owing to my long-standing relationship with Katrina, for this character, we were able to push the envelope to create something special; this was one of the few times she broke away from her usual sleek, pulled-back look and sported a curly hair look on the big screen.”

Cosmopolitan: If we asked you to pick your favourite look from the lot, which one would it be?

AT: “While Padmavati will always be a character close to my heart, I thoroughly enjoyed working on Katrina Kaif’s wedding looks. I created five looks over the days; she looked absolutely serene. Anaita Shroff and I went for the less is more approach to ensure that she wasn’t troubled on her big day due to elaborate hairstyling.”

Cosmopolitan: Would you care to spill some celebrity haircare secrets for our readers?

AT: “Katrina applies a potent concoction of heat protection cream and argan oil on her hair, daily. She believes in protecting and nourishing the hair even when it isn’t being styled, shielding it from external elements such as pollution, heat, humidity—this layer will repel everything.”

Cosmopolitan: Any words of wisdom for those with weak, fine strands of hair?

AT: “For those who possess fine hair, pick products that do not unnecessarily weigh down your hair i.e. lightweight shampoos and conditioners. Colour protection products are designed to be lightweight so that they don’t strip your hair off the colour. Although, those who don’t have coloured hair may use these products as well. Also, be gentle with your mane by using appropriate brushes and combs— Mason Pearson is a brand I trust.”

Cosmopolitan: What are the biggest hair mistakes most are guilty of?

AT: “A few common mistakes include skipping a conditioner/mask after a shower, washing the hair with hot water, and using styling tools without prior application of a heat protectant. These slip-ups cause more harm to your hair follicles than you think—leading to long-term damage and frizziness.”

Cosmopolitan: Any tips to protect your hair from the summer heat and humidity?
 

AT: “First and foremost, use less product—too much formula weighs down the hair and traps humidity, resulting in a greasy scalp. You can also use argan or Moroccan oil as a base before styling the hair. Refrain from exposing your hair to heat far too often, and opt for overnight braids, twisties, and scarves. In addition, avoid heavy oils as over-shampooing can stimulate the oil glands to compensate for the loss in moisture. Lastly, for ruff and dull hair, opt for a mask and conditioner that can help close the hair cuticles post a shower.”

Cosmopolitan: Can you share some styling hacks for the straight and curly-hair girl?
 

AT: “For curly hair, swap your regular dryer with a diffuser dryer and apply a curl cream before styling the hair. Braid your hair overnight to define your waves. For a straight mane, go in for a layered haircut to frame the face and accentuate your features—consider bangs.”

Cosmopolitan: How should one go about choosing the right products for their hair?

AT: “Curating a haircare arsenal takes time and patience. You need to keep close tabs on how your hair reacts and behaves to different stimuli. For instance, seasonal changes can change the nature of your hair as well. During winter, you may experience a flaky scalp, and if you use dry shampoo, it’ll only make it worse. Observe your hair, followed by a trial and error of products.”

Cosmopolitan: In your opinion, has the definition of beauty evolved over the years?

AT: “The film industry is in the process of evolving. Today, we artists have a responsibility not only towards the actors, but also their fan base. I’m grateful to be in a position where I can inspire others to pursue hairstyling as a career.”