SC raps Cine Costume & Make-up Artist Association for misconstruing verdict

New Delhi, Jan 5: The Supreme Court today rapped the Cine Costume and Make-up Artist Association (Mumbai) for "misconstruing" its judgement on female make-up artists that they will be registered only as female make-up artists but not as hair dressers.

"Needless to say, the judgment has been absolutely misconstrued by the Association. It is, accordingly, directed that all concerned shall see to it that any person, male or female, can be registered with an association, if otherwise eligible, to become either a Make-up Artist or a Hair Dresser or a Costume Stylist, or all together, it shall be subject to deposit of the prevalent fees.

"Both, male and female artists shall enjoy the same benefit. To elaborate, a female artist can become a Make-up Artist and a Hair Dresser or a Costume Stylist. Similarly, a male artist can also work in all the categories.

"There cannot be any exclusivity or categorisation for any particular gender. This order shall be carried in letter and spirit," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said. The bench, also comprising Justice P C Pant, in its interim order, said the association will provide membership to female make up artists on subscription of Rs 15,000 only instead of exorbitant amount of Rs one lakh and above.

During the hearing, female artists through their counsel Jyotica Kalra, said the association was demanding Rs one lakh and one for registration as members.

"It is directed that the petitioners and their likes, shall be registered as a Make-up Artist or Hair Dresser or Costume Stylist, pending upon their application and eligibility, subject to deposit of fees of Rs.15,000/- for each category.

"Needless to emphasize, this is an ad-interim measure, subject to hearing of the registered Trade Union of Maharashtra and the Associations concerned, as far as the fees is concerned," the bench said.

Earlier, the apex court, on November 10, 2014, had put an end to a 59-year old practice in Bollywood that had restricted female make-up artist from pursuing the profession in the film industry.

PTI