This story is from January 10, 2008

Till tattoo do us part

TEJASWINI TIRTA / TNN / Jan 10, 2008, 00:00 IST

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Apparently, Saif Ali Khan has had Kareena Kapoor’s name tattooed on his forearm. Sign of love forever or folly?

doweshowbellyad=0; Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor (TOI Photo) More picsSaif Ali Khan seems ready to announce his love for Kareena Kapoor to the world. Inspired by soccer star David Beckham, he has reportedly had ‘Kareena’ tattooed in the Devnagari script on his forearm.
Trends, however, show that name tattoos rendered in the heat of passion can sometimes be cause for regret once emotions cool down.
“I get at least two customers a month asking me to tattoo their lover’s names on their bodies. Almost 80 per cent of them come back later asking for the tattoos be removed,” says tattoo artist Pradeep Menon. “Nothing is permanent today. Definitely not tattoos,” says photographer Waseem Khan.
In showbiz especially, name tattoos are as short-lived as some of the relationships. There’s Johnny Depp’s ‘Winona Forever’ arm tattoo that has been edited to ‘Wino Forever’.

Pamela Anderson’s ‘Tommy’ finger tattoo reads ‘Mommy’ after their split. And Tom Arnold has no choice but to look at his ex-wife Rosesanne’s face inked permanently on his chest whenever he takes off his shirt. Angelina Jolie has had several tattoos lasered off, the most talked-about being Billy Bob Thornton’s name.
“People have always got tattoos of their partners’ names to express their love. It’s just that now that Saif has it, it’s being talked about,” says tattooist Sameer Patange. But most tattoo artists say they discourage customers from getting name tattoos. “

Permanent name tattoos are a ridiculous idea unless you are 100 per cent sure about what you’re doing. Then again, it’s a personal choice. But it’s the duty of every tattoo artist to advise people to think hard before going ahead,” says Sameer.
“Even if someone insists on getting their lover’s name tattooed, I suggest they get it in a foreign language, so it’s meaning is known only to that person,” says Pradeep. “I’m not a great fan of permanent tattoos, be it names or images,” says Waseem. “It’s like trying to make permanent something that’s inherently transient.”
Pradeep sees negative connotations in name tattoos. “A name belongs to one person. Having someone’s name written on your body is like taking it away from them. The person getting the tattoo now has a part of you and you don’t have enough of yourself,” he says.
And it’s costly too. “A simple permanent tattoo costs between Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000. And prices can go higher. It costs 10 times more to get a tattoo off — through laser or plastic surgery — and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get your original skin tone back,” says Sameer.
Not that everyone who gets a name tattoo takes it off eventually. David Beckham has Victoria’s name on his arm in the Devnagiri script, and his three sons’ names in different spots on his back. Melanie Griffith can still show off husband Antonio Banderas’ name.
For some people, it’s forever. Like hairstylist Kevin Billings and his wife, who both have each other’s names tattooed on their arms. “I got my wife’s name tattooed even before marriage. My wife got my initials tattooed much later. A lot of people think it’s stupid, but if you believe in the relationship, why not?” asks Kevin.

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