From 75 To 95: Naseeruddin Shah's Remarkable Transformation For Main Vaapas Aaunga Role

Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga has emerged as one of the surprise successes of the year, earning widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike while crossing ₹70 crore at the worldwide box office. The film, described by many as a "sleeper hit," has drawn praise for its emotionally layered storytelling, Partition-era romance and compelling performances. Among its most talked-about aspects is the remarkable transformation of veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who, at 75, convincingly portrays a 95-year-old Sikh man through an intricate combination of prosthetics and makeup.

The transformation was crafted by acclaimed look designer and prosthetics artist Soamaa Goswami, who has previously worked on projects including Sam Bahadur, Subedaar, Daldal and the upcoming Alpha. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Goswami shared details of the painstaking process involved in ageing Shah by two decades. She said the objective was to create a realistic appearance that reflected not only advanced age but also the character's emotional journey, ensuring the makeup never distracted from the performance.

Speaking about working with the veteran actor, Goswami said Shah's professionalism made the demanding process significantly easier. "He doesn't like being disturbed. In between shots, if make-up needs a touch-up, do it; otherwise don't," she said, explaining that the actor preferred staying immersed in his character between takes. According to Goswami, this approach required the makeup team to work efficiently and minimise interruptions while maintaining the continuity and realism of the prosthetic look throughout the shoot.

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Main Vaapas Aaunga carries several hallmarks of an Imtiaz Ali film, blending themes of love, separation and self-discovery through multiple timelines and emotionally complex characters. Set against the backdrop of the Partition, the film follows a poignant love story that unfolds across different phases of the protagonists' lives. The narrative demanded distinct looks for characters across decades, making the makeup and prosthetics department a crucial part of the storytelling process. Goswami said creating authentic age transitions and period-specific appearances required careful planning and close collaboration with the film's creative team.

The prosthetics artist also spoke about reuniting with director Imtiaz Ali after Amar Singh Chamkila, describing the collaboration as creatively fulfilling. She highlighted the director's attention to detail and his emphasis on ensuring that every visual element complemented the emotional tone of the story. In addition to Shah's transformation, Goswami said she enjoyed designing looks for younger cast members Vedang Raina and Sharvari, whose appearances also evolved across different timelines in the film.

The film's strong word-of-mouth has played a significant role in its commercial success, helping it achieve worldwide collections exceeding ₹70 crore despite modest initial expectations. As audiences continue to appreciate its performances, storytelling and technical craftsmanship, the work behind the scenes—including Shah's striking physical transformation—has also come into focus. Goswami's insights offer a glimpse into the extensive preparation and artistry required to convincingly portray the passage of time, demonstrating how prosthetics and makeup can enhance a character's authenticity while allowing an actor's performance to remain at the forefront.

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