Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; May 19, 2017)

Repetitive defeats in court hasn’t detered the Cine Costume Make Up Artists and Hair Dressers Association (CCMAA) from causing distress to its female members.

After being ordered to induct women make-up artists, including Charu Khurana and Neha Kamra, into the association for a fee of Rs 15,000 in 2015, the union is now apparently demanding Rs 85,000 in addition to the standard Rs 5,001 for membership renewal.

Evidently angered by the “bullying”, Khurana, who recently completed work on S S Rajamouli’s magnum opus Bahubali 2, says, “The union is asking for Rs 85,000 [as donation] in addition to the renewal fee. We are told our cards will be renewed only if we pay this amount.’’

The much-acclaimed artist — whose clientele boasts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Barack Obama and Virat Kohli — has spearheaded the war against gender discrimination, and is ready to go up-in-arms against the association again. “I am consulting my lawyer and plan to go to the Supreme Court thereafter.”

Khurana is among 10 women make-up artists to have submitted a written complaint to the Amboli police against highhandedness of the union on May 16. Make- up designer Neha Kamra says, “I have been going to the union’s office to renew my membership, but they keep demanding more money. The committee members did not allow me to touch the rule book [ for reference].”

CCMAA general secretary Stanley D’Souza allegedly demanded that she return after May 19 since his lawyers were away.

Mid-day reached out to the association, but they remained unavailable for comment.