'Tattoos Were Linked To Crime And Drugs': Celebrity Tattooist Sunny Bhanushali On How India's Ink Culture Has Changed

Once seen as a symbol of rebellion and tied to crime and drugs, tattoos in India have dramatically shifted in perception. Celebrities such as Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Kriti Sanon now proudly display ink, with Sunny Bhanushali, the celebrity tattoo artist behind their designs and founder of Aliens Tattoo, witnessing this transformation firsthand.

In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Bhanushali discussed the evolution of India's tattoo culture and the current trends shaping the art form. When he began his career, tattoos were considered underground art linked to criminal elements. Bhanushali aimed to change that image and bring tattoos into mainstream culture. Today, tattoos are viewed as a creative profession and a legitimate career, not just something belonging to the fringes of society.

The shift in perception has also led to a more diverse range of people embracing body art. Bhanushali has noticed a significant increase in the number of women getting tattoos, from 10% to 30%. This change is partly attributed to tattoos becoming more visible in popular culture, with film stars and cricketers openly displaying ink.

While traditional tattoos with cultural significance still exist, they now serve more as personal stories rather than ritualistic practices. Gen Z is more open to tattoos as a form of self-expression and requires less external approval compared to previous generations. However, the size of tattoos has not changed much among younger customers compared to millennials, with an increasing trend of starting with small designs before adding more pieces over time.