The moustache, an emblem of manhood, has played a vital societal role for centuries. A display of virility, a method of attracting a mate and a means of communication between men.
It is not surprising then, that almost every Lollywood hero sports a moustache, which he twirls at perilous moments, signalling his pride and strength. Sultan Rahi’s lasting legacy includes not just the sizable number of films he’s starred in, but also the portentous bush he sported on his upper lip.
Lollywood is not, so far off the mark from reality. An amusing report from AskMen.com establishes the subcontinent amongst top contenders in its ‘Top 10: Moustache-Dense Countries’ feature. Pakistan comes in at number 3, while India comes out at top, as the country with the most moustache toting men.
The current facial hair trend in Bollywood is also a truthful reflection of this culture.
The power of the moustache is in full flow in Bollywood. Screen idols are banking on it to look different on screen - Saif Ali Khan has gone for the zappa, Aamir Khan boasts the chevron and Shahid Kapoor, the painter’s brush.
When Salman Khan was seen as funny cop Chulbul Pandey, sporting a pencil moustache in the super duper hit Dabangg, his fans went crazy, especially those from Uttar Pradesh where the movie was set.
Another popular actor to be seen on screen with a moustache is Abhishek Bachchan in Dum Maro Dum. Director Rohan Sippy, who keeps changing his facial hairstyle in real life, has cast the actor as a cop in this suspense thriller. Abhishek, who usually has a stubble, sports a moustache in the movie to look like a real cop.
Aamir is also taking the trend forward with his bow-shaped chevron on his upper lip for Reema Kagti’s second directorial venture. Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist, who tries to look different in all his films, whether it was Dhobi Ghat, Ghajini or Taare Zameen Par, had earlier grown a moustache for the period film Mangal Pandey.
Another Khan, Saif Ali, has also joined the bandwagon for his role of a teacher in Prakash Jha’s issued-based Aarakshan. “A lot of men do. If you think of a teacher in a rural town, they have a moustache. Most Indians would have it. So it was a demand for the character and I had to wear it,” said Saif, who dons a similar look in his home production Agent Vinod.
After the stupendous success of comic caper Yamla Pagla Deewana, Sunny Doel has turned serious for his next film Mohalla Assi that will see him as a pandit in dhoti-kurta, moustache and a small ponytail.
Even Om Puri will be seen with one in his upcoming film Teen Thay Bhai.
Neil Nitin Mukesh of Johnny Gaddar fame, who sports a stubble in real life, was seen wearing a moustache as an army major in Vishal Bharadwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf. “I really liked my look in 7 Khoon Maaf, it’s very interesting and different. This is the first time I ever sported a moustache and I really like it,” said Neil.
It took almost a year for Vivek Oberoi to grow a thick moustache for his role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakta Charitra.
Yesteryear dancing star Rishi Kapoor, who in his heyday preferred a clean shaven look, went for a complete makeover for Do Dooni Chaar. He played a middle-class man in the film, and his role of a teacher required him to sport a moustache. And he did so.
In fact Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, mostly clean shaven for his romantic roles, wore a moustache in Amol Palekar’s Paheli and Yash Raj Films’ Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
Now, with the new trend, one wonders if Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor are twirling their long kept moustaches in delight.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2011.
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