Salman Khan’s thin moustache in a police officer’s avatar in Dabangg was the talk of the town. His moustache was just like actor Shatrughan Sinha’s, the star told masses. His fans barely got over his new look, when they saw Shahid Kapoor sporting one in his dad’s directorial debut Mausam. His co-star Sonam Kapoor was all praises for him, for he reminded her of dad Anil. That was not all, as a bevy of stars — Ajay Devgn in Singham, Emran Hashmi in The Dirty Picture, Jannat 2 and now upcoming Shanghai, Abhay Deol in Shanghai, Akshay Kumar in Rowdy Rathore and Aamir Khan in upcoming Talaash — will be seen sporting them. Moustaches are making their presence felt on the silver screen, and whether it will trigger off a trend remains to be seen.
“It depends on whether an individual wants to follow this Bollywood trend or not. It can be an inspiration for many, but many may play conservative. It’s unlike a style trend and boys need guts to break the rule,” feels freelance stylist Ranjunee Chakma.
Make-up artist Ambika Pillai feels that it certainly can’t be a trend in the north. “Not many will follow it because twirled up moustaches like Akshay’s in Rowdy Rathore are more of something that truck drivers sport! But it may find a better fan following down south where many people grow moustaches,” says she.
Unlike the time when the goatee became a sudden rage after Dil Chahta Hai, moustaches are taking a while to pick up. Actor Ronit Roy, who will be seen sporting a moustache in two of his upcoming movies, feels it’s a personal choice.
Ronit says, “Actors grow one if the role demands it. Otherwise, facial hair is a very personal issue. Men who wear a moustache will not go clean and the clean ones would not want one. But I am very comfortable keeping one. The only thing I don’t like about my moustache is that it pokes my children when I cuddle them.”
Varun Dutta, director Looks salon, feels that the trend may slowly catch up. “The movie has just released. It’s too early to say if this look will catch the fancy of youngsters. We may see a demand in sometime probably. Meanwhile, people who keep moustaches are sticking to their preference and those clean-shaven are opting for a stubble. But I am sure, this look will be a hit in small towns,” he says.