Renowned makeup artist Vikraman Nair passes away at 81, worked on Hera Pheri, Thalavattam and over 150 films

Makeup Artist Vikraman Nair passes away at 81

Veteran makeup artist Vikraman Nair, better known in the film world as Mani, has passed away at the age of 81. He had been keeping unwell due to age-related issues.

With his death, the industry has lost one of its quiet but essential storytellers, a man who shaped how characters came alive on screen without ever stepping into the spotlight himself.

A Journey Across Decades and Languages

Vikraman Nair’s career kicked off in 1975 with Swami Ayyappan, directed by P. Subramaniam. From that small beginning at Maryland Studio, he went on to work in over 150 films, covering Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi cinema.

For Malayalam audiences, his name was almost synonymous with Mohanlal’s biggest hits—Chithram, Kilukkam, Thenmavin Kombath, Kalapani, Chandralekha, Vandanam, Thalavattam—all carried his touch. In Bollywood, his most famous outing was Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri, which later achieved cult status.

The Filmmakers Who Trusted Him

Mani was not just another technician. Directors like Priyadarshan, Venu Nagavalli, and Sreekumaran Thampi swore by him, making him their constant collaborator. He also worked on Lal Salam, Virasat, and Mammootty’s Megham.

Interestingly, Mani was the first to do on-screen makeup for actresses like Sridevi and Srividya , way back during Kumarasambhavam in 1969. At the time, nobody could have guessed how far those two names would go, but Mani was there at the very start.

Beyond the Film Sets

In 1995, Mani’s skills reached a global stage when he worked at the Miss World pageant in Bangalore.

His career also encompassed television, featuring popular serials like Swami Ayyappan and Kadamattathu Kathanar. Even in this medium, his work spoke softly but carried great impact.

His passing creates a void not only in the Malayalam industry but in Indian cinema as a whole. To many, he was more than a makeup artist; he was a dependable presence who made actors and characters truly memorable.

Also read: Rani Mukerji reacts to 8-hour work shift debate amid Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit and Kalki sequel, 'Don't do the film, nobody is forcing'

FAQs

1. Who was Vikraman Nair (Mani)?
Vikraman Nair, commonly known as Mani, was a seasoned Indian makeup artist who contributed to over 150 films in Malayalam, Hindi, and Tamil cinema.

2. What are some of Vikraman Nair’s notable works?
He was responsible for the makeup in iconic films such as Hera Pheri, Thalavattam, Chithram, Kilukkam, and Thenmavin Kombath.

3. Did Vikraman Nair work outside films too?
Yes. He worked on the Miss World 1995 pageant held in Bangalore and also contributed to TV shows like Swami Ayyappan and Kadamattathu Kathanar.