A CUT Above

Hakim Aalim takes Kannagi Desai behind the scenes, revealing the precision, instinct, & artistry behind every transformative style

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“You have to see your client from far away,” Hakim Aalim says, stepping back to study a fresh cut, his eyes scanning every angle. “Nobody looks at themselves up close all day—it's about the overall impact.”

In the dim hum of his natural habitat, mirrors reflecting a flurry of movement, his domain—whether it's a film set, a backstage dressing room, or the quiet sanctuary of his barbershop-is where transformations take place. Here, a haircut isn’t just about technique; it’s about presence, perception, and the alchemy of shaping someone's best self. He works with the ease of a man who has spent decades moulding not just hair but identities. Every snip of his scissors and flick of his comb is deliberate, almost like a conductor fine-tuning an orchestra.

He works with the precision of an artist, his hands moving swiftly, adjusting for bone structure, texture, and personality in a way no reference photo can replicate. From shaping the signature looks of Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan to crafting the transformations of M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya, Aalim’s chair has seen India’s biggest icons. His work on films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Ghajini (2008), Rockstar (2011), and Agneepath (2012), as well as recent hits like Kabir Singh (2019), Pathaan (2023), and Animal (2023), cemented his place as the silent architect behind some of cinema's most defining character aesthetics. And yet, his approach remains personal, intuitive, and uniquely attuned to the individual in front of him. “A great cut doesn’t start with the clippers,” he says, brushing stray hairs from his wrist. “It starts with understanding the person in the chair.”

BEYOND THE MIRROR