We know him as Kareena Kapoor
hairstylist but he is much more than that. He is a famous bridal makeup
professional. He has styled films like ABCD, ABCD-2, Dev D, Pyaar Ka Punchnaama
and many others for both hair and makeup. I think lot of people who aspire to
be hair stylist want to assist him. He is a celeb artist Purshottam Hans aka
Pompy. I think everyone who know him addresses him Pompy including me.
He is born and raised in Amritsar
and is a Punjabi by heart and looks. He is tall, dark, and handsome. He
assisted Cory Walia for many years. He assisted him in Fashion shows, did movie
Fashion where he appeared as well. He learnt makeup and hair styling by
assisting Cory. As per Pompy his passion for his work and guidance of his Guru
(Cory) made him what he is today.
He is so down to earth and was
very cooperative for this interview. Without his cooperation this interview
would have just been a dream. Are you ready? Yes, here you go..
Pompy – I have always been
passionate about hair styling since childhood. I picked up lot of tips and
tricks by watching television. I was maybe sixteen or seventeen when I first
cut my cousin’s hair.
Pompy – I come from an army
background so they expected me to go for similar profession. I am tall so they
expected from me that I will chose Defence. My mom used to laugh if I tried
doing her hair. But when she saw me how passionate I was about this profession
she allowed me to pursue my dreams. (As per R&W this is called perfect DDLJ
moment “Jaa Pompy Jee Le Apni Zindagi”)
Pompy – Yes I did a three month
course in Tony & Guy London, then an advanced course in Bangkok. I worked
for Lakme in Amritsar. I also assisted Cory Walia and learnt a lot from him. I
learnt both makeup and hair stylist. Lot of people know that I am a hairstylist
what they don’t know is that I am also good at makeup and have always been
balancing both. I am passionate about both interests.
R&W – How did you landed in
Bollywood?
Pompy – I was assisting Cory
Walia and he was really impressed with my work. I used to go everywhere with
him from fashion shows to movie sets. Slowly people started recognizing that he
is a talented guy and can do a good job. So it just happened for me. I am
fortunate that I didn’t had to go places to ask for work. I was just doing my
job and my passion took me to places. Fashion was the last film where I
assisted Cory Walia. My first solo project was Dev D.
Pompy – I was working back then
in Lakme Salon in Amritsar. Lisa Re was the brand ambassador of Lakme. She
visited Lakme Amritsar. I was a lot of excited to style her. She was so
gorgeous and I work with lot of gorgeous women (he shares cheerfully) so, yeah
she was my first celeb client.
R&W – You are personal hair stylist of Kareena Kapoor. Are you allowed to work with other actors/actress?
Pompy – Kareena is very beautiful person both inside and outside. She understands how an artist work. She has always
been cooperative about me working with other actors, and I respect her for that.
It’s a freelancing job and I am allowed to work with my choice of clients.
Recently I have styled her in Ki and Ka. I mostly do hairstyling for her but
only some time I do her makeup.
(Pompy has worked with so many
actors like Alia, Parineeti, Sonakshi, Khans and lot other biggies in B-Town.
He has styled so many great films and continues to do so)
Pompy - Well it depends from film
to film. For a film like ABCD where there are so many extras we might need a
team size of 25-26 and for a film like Ki and Ka two people are fine.
Pompy – Yes I have worked with
lot of clients from outside film industry. I do bridal makeup, styling on
regular basis. I have client base not only in India but also abroad.
R&W – Do you get paid by
actors directly?
Pompy – It depends. If I am
styling an actor for a film then it’s a producer expense. For an event
sometimes may be sponsors or actors also pay. If something is personal for
actor then definitely I get my pay from him/her.
R&W – How much travelling is involved?
Pompy – You can guess from the
fact that I have hardly been in India during Diwali.
Pompy – It’s a challenge but
after so many years of experience I don’t need training to learn something new.
Everyone in Bollywood gets inspired by Hollywood look. But their hair, texture
of hair, face cut is different. So similar hairstyle turns out to be something
different on an Indian face. Even if I know two hundred styles I have to work
according to hair and face.
R&W – Are you happy about
your earning or career?
Pompy – I am very happy and now
my family also thinks that I am doing something good for me. I am able to buy a
house for myself in one of the posh localities of Mumbai, Versova. I never
thought when I started that I will go this far. I am thankful to my well-wishers.
R&W – Please share some hair styling, hair care tips for working girls like me.
Pompy – I always tell my friends,
cousin that on regular days try to do braids, bun or a choti. There is so much
pollution out there. If hair are open then there are greater chances that dust
can effect hair. Tide hair looks very professional. I feel that if hair falling
on your face or desk looks really unprofessional. You can refer to some of the
styles I did for Kareena. Girls wear branded clothes but your hair has to look
right to make you look good.
R&W – What are you future plans? (Isn’t this a cheesy question but have become mandate for every interview)
Pompy – (I imagined him shouting
at me for asking this question but he is a sweetheart and said) I am ready to
open a salon or academy in Mumbai where I can train people, do hair styling,
make up.
I wish Pompy a great career ahead. I wish that he opens his academy soon and send me an invite as well, haha.
I hope you guys have liked the
interview.
Stick to R&W
Megha Gupta
Photo Credits – Pompy
That's the type of enthusiasm I am looking in a makeup stylist. I hope some day girls also make to that top stylist jobs. Lovely interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks dear
DeleteNice to know few things about Pompy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sims
DeleteVery well interviewed, Megha!
ReplyDeleteReally good one... Questions nicely framed..
ReplyDeleteGrt job meģha
ReplyDeletelovely interview girl!! great going to this one!! amazing person he is, and great work which he does.
ReplyDelete