Shiva pride on Delhi’s arm

Ever since Sanjay Dutt, who played the role of Kancha Cheena in Agneepath, flaunted his Shiva tattoo, tattoo parlours in the city have noticed a steep rise in the number of people asking for a similar tattoo. Youngsters between the age group of 18-28 are queuing up to get the image of the aggressive Shiva inked on their body.

Ever since Sanjay Dutt, who played the role of Kancha Cheena in this year’s first blockbuster, Agneepath, flaunted his Shiva tattoo, tattoo parlours in the city have noticed a steep rise in the number of people asking for a similar tattoo. Youngsters between the age group of 18-28 are queuing up to get the image of the aggressive Shiva inked on their body.



"There has been a 60% increase in the demand for Shiva tattoos. We are getting around 15-20 requests for such tattoos in a week," confirms Mac from DNA Tattoo art, South Extension. "A lot of youngsters believe in lord Shiva and since Shivratri is also round the corner, they are getting such tattoos to express their faith," reasons Lokesh from Devilztattoo, Greater Kailash I, adding that a black Shiva tattoo costs around R25,000, while a coloured one costs R30,000.



Abhishaik Madhur of Indelible Tattooz at New Friend’s colony, says, "While many youngsters relate to Shiva, there are many who are getting it done after seeing Dutt’s tattoo in the movie." Chetan, owner of Scorpio tattoo Inn at Rohini, echoes the same. "The tattoo has shot to prominence post Agneepath," he says. Sunny who runs Herqules Tattoo Ink at Vikaspuri, agrees,"The demand for Shiva tattoos has considerably gone up. Even middle-aged people now want these tattoos though their percentage is still low compared to 20-year-olds."

Sidharth Sharma, 26, who recently got a Shiva tattoo says, "I am a big follower of lord Shiva and liked the way Dutt flaunted it in the movie, so I got it done." For some however, the tattoo is a form of self-expression. Sugandha Varma, an MBA student, says, "The tattoo is also an extension of my personality."