Bridal mehendi have some of the of most intricate creations of the artists. There is one mehendi artist who is Bollywood’s favourite and that too since ages. She is known for her attention to detail and fine line designs that adorn the hands of several people. Her elite list of clients features Radhika Merchant, Isha Ambani, Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor and so on and so forth. Also, she shares a very special connect with the Ambani family.Today she is a celebrated artist amongst the big names, but it did not come easy to her.
This talented mehendi artist is Veena Nagda from Gujarat. She is the lady behind all the creative art work with the use of henna that brides flaunt. She is not just another mehendi artist, but her expertise goes beyond it- from the colour of henna, mixing of the paste, kind of consistency of the mehendi, she works with the details.
Hailing from Gujarat, Veena Nagda was born in a middle class Gujarati family. Trapped by the societal stigmas, according to report by The Better India, she was made to drop out from school after she completed her class 10th. The youngest of 5 sisters, she started learning embroidery at the age of 17. Reportedly, she got her big break when she first applied mehendi to actress Poonam Dhillon. And rest is history.
In an interview, Veena opened up about her relations with the Ambani family. She recalled the time when she first put mehendi to a six-year-old Isha Ambani and Shloka Mehta. According to Bollywoodshaadis report, they share a close association of over 38 years.
She has worked in movies Ever happy in every home, Patiala House, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, God Tussi Great Ho, U Me Aur Hum, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaaniamong others.
Do you remember Ranbir Kapoor’s iconic mehendi hands from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil? No points for guessing who was the artist behind it! Veena Nagdas’ one of the famous works is Ranbir’s iconic and intricate mehendi. She also had a cameo in Rani Mukerjee and Saif Ali Khan Hum Tum!
In an interview with Pinkvilla's Hindi Rush, she talked about several of her stories, her experiences. When asked about her fees and charges, the answer left everyone surprised. “Look, this blog looks like it is charging a lot. Please tell me, my charge is normal like everyone else, being a celebrity is normal, because I myself am from a normal family. Look who is talking, he will do it. Like about me also Veena ji takes 2 lakhs and 5 lakhs, whereas I don't take it. “I don't have any inta charges, I have normal charges.”
The artists revealed that she started by charging only Rs 25 at the Ambani’s Veena recalled that Mukesh Ambani’s mother once advised her that she should have phone for her contacts and so she did!
In an interview, Veena was quoted by Jagran TV saying, “As for my normal charges, for the bride, it starts from Rs 3,000 to 7,000 rupees, and includes both hands and feet. For guests, it is Rs 50 to Rs 75 per hand. I don’t charge for celebrity weddings. They pay me according to their wishes and it has always been more than expected.”
