Vikram Gaikwad, a National Award-winning makeup artist renowned for his transformative work in Indian cinema, passed away on Saturday in Mumbai at the age of 61. Gaikwad, who lent his artistry to films like ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘URI: The Surgical Strike,’ had been admitted to Hiranandani Hospital in Powai three days prior to his death due to blood pressure-related issues. His younger brother, Dr. Prasanna Paranjpe, told PTI that Gaikwad was "quite well when he was admitted" and that his sudden demise was unexpected. Gaikwad's last rites were performed at the Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar.

Gaikwad's career spanned decades and included work in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and South Indian cinema. He was known for his ability to transform actors into memorable characters, contributing significantly to the visual storytelling of iconic films. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mourned Gaikwad's death, calling him "a magician who brought characters to life on the silver screen". Shinde emphasized Gaikwad's instrumental role in shaping the visual legacy of Indian cinema, particularly in historical and biographical films.

Aamir Khan, who collaborated with Gaikwad on several films, expressed his sorrow in a heartfelt message shared by Aamir Khan Productions on Instagram. Khan conveyed his condolences to Gaikwad's family, acknowledging the profound loss felt by everyone at AKP (Aamir Khan Productions).

Vikram Gaikwad's filmography boasts an impressive array of films, including ‘83’, ‘Sanju’, ‘Shakuntala Devi’, ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Balgandharva’, ‘Katyar Kaljat Ghusali’, ‘Ponniyin Selvan', and ‘O Kadhal Kanmani’. He received his first National Film Award for Best Makeup Artist in 2012 for ‘The Dirty Picture,’ followed by another in 2014 for the Bengali film ‘Jaatishwar’. Gaikwad's work extended beyond Bollywood, as he was equally revered in Marathi cinema for his contributions to historical dramas such as 'Balgandharva', 'Ani… Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar', 'Lokmanya', 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusali', 'Fatteshikast', 'Pawankhind', and 'Sher Shivraj'. He also worked in theater, most notably in the play ‘Janata Raja’, which depicts the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Gaikwad began his career with the film 'Sardar' and went on to become a transformative force in makeup artistry for both Bollywood and regional cinema. He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Makeup Artist seven times.

Several figures from the film industry have expressed their grief and admiration for Gaikwad's talent. Filmmaker Jabbar Patel, who collaborated with Gaikwad on the film 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar', lauded him as a "magician". Actor Aamir Khan mourned the loss, calling him "a true master of his craft". Eknath Shinde, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated that Gaikwad's passing was an "irreparable loss to the world of cinema and art".

Vikram Gaikwad's death marks the end of an era in Indian film makeup. He was not just a makeup artist but a storyteller, helping audiences believe in the characters and worlds created on screen.