In an entertainment industry where makeup is a must on film sets, one veteran actor is a standout exception.
With over 50 years of experience, the legendary actor Javed Sheikh has never worn makeup.
Appearing as a guest on After Hours with Ushna Shah, the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor explained why he refuses to wear makeup on set, even when it’s required of others.
The host asked, “I found out that you never wear makeup. You still haven’t had any touch-ups, nothing?”
Javed Sheikh said, “Yes, never. Look, here, it’s okay, everyone does it, but I keep watching. So when I was in India, the films I did there, it was very much a requirement for everyone. Every girl had to do it, but the men were doing it too. So when I first went to the set, my first film was Shikar with Shahid Kapoor. So they said, ‘Sir, come an hour earlier so we can do your makeup.’ I said, ‘I don’t do it.’ They said, ‘No, it’s not allowed.’ I said, ‘What’s not allowed? Is it written somewhere?’”
The Quaid –e- Azam Zindabad actor recalled how he stood firm on his decision not to put anything on his face, “They said, ‘It will shine a little.’ I said, ‘this is prosperity.”
The host asked, “Sheikh Sahib, I know you have big well-guarded secrets behind why you’re looking so good, but if you could share a bit about your diet or your routine?”
Javed Sheikh replied, “Yes, see, discipline is something you should have in life, in everything. And I have discipline not just in food, but in everything I do. You see, living for 50 years isn’t an easy task, and Alhamdulillah, I still don’t have free time. I know, I have so many films, so many dramas. And besides that, I am doing a lot of things. I’ll tell you later. So there has to be discipline in life. And yes, I take care of my food. I sleep for 6 hours, not less than that.”
“The reason is, at least for a normal body, you need seven to eight hours of sleep. People say, ‘I slept for two hours, three hours, and worked. I was fresh.’ But the thing is, you may look fresh, but you don’t realize that you missed out on four or five hours of sleep. It gets written on your body,” the A-lister pointed out.
The host asked, “You have many stories, many tales. What about your family, especially your sister-in-law?”
“Well, I was married twice, the first time, it was to the mother of my children, Momal. And then, I got married to Salma Aga. Both marriages lasted around three years,” Javed Sheikh replied.
Lastly, Javed Sheikh also shared his thoughts on the entertainment industry. He stressed the importance of professionalism, saying. “Actors should support their producers and ensure that the producer’s investment doesn’t go to waste. It’s the actor’s responsibility to cooperate and be professional in every way. I’ve always tried to cooperate with everyone, even when it’s difficult, and that’s why I’ve earned respect in the industry.”
