Achieving A Hair High

What does it take to prove your mettle in the challenging wo rld of Bollywood? And how far does pa ssion take you? Celebrity hairstylist Priyanka Borkar reveals in a tête-à-tête with SAYONI BHADURI.

Keeping abreast with international style trends and executing them effortlessly while keeping Indian sensibilities in mind is no easy feat. But it is a piece of cake for Priyanka Borkar who has over a decade’s experience as a hairstylist. She has been the creative hands behind some of Indian celebrities’ flawless hairstyles including Bipasha Basu, Shilpa Shetty, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Athiya Shetty, Vaani Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, and Jacqueline Fernandez.

Borkar’s big break in Indian film and fashion industry was granted by her mentor Kanta Motwani in 2009. Since then she has been erstwhile Miss World and now global celebrity, Priyanka Chopra’s go-to hairstylist. Borkar has extensively worked with her for editorial features and covers, red carpets, events, commercials, fashion shows, etc.

How did you get into the field of hairstyling?

Honestly, I didn’t aspire to be a hairstylist. It was my mother who suggested that I take up a course in hairstyling. During the course I realised that I quite enjoyed the process. My mother has always been my role model and has experience in the same field. I grew up looking at her make women look beautiful and that added to my curiosity.

What got you interested in styling for Hindi films?