When is India going to grow up and give its women their due! And of all the vocations to keep away women from, is none other than as a make-up artist.

Yes, believe it or not the Bollywood make-up artist union is not dominated by men but does not include any women and a person to vouch for this is director-choreographer Farah Khan who wanted a make-up artist called Namrata to work on the characters of Om Shanti Om, but the head of the make-up artist's union raised an objection because she is a woman.

The rules of the union are age old catering the interests of the older members. They are aggressive, ancient and male-dominated in their approach. Making it difficult for any newcomer especially a woman to take the lead!

Farah had to give in for the sake of the film, however, she got Namrata to work on the special effects, when the characters age.

Its also a known fact that during Dil Chahta Hai, there were times when the female make up artists had to be hidden whenever union members barged in to create a ruckus.

The union members are a terror for both make-up artists and even production houses threatening to create complications in the shoot if a female make-up artist is hired.

Farah says that the Indian Motion Pictures Association (IMPA) is not willing to do anything about the men who create these restrictions.

Farah says she's willing to support these women in every way, she thinks the women need to stand up for themselves.

" Pandharidada Juker, who has made up names such as Meena Kumari and Dharmendra over the last 42 years with Yash Raj Films, says that's the way things are.

"Yes, there is a rule that women cannot be make up artists," he says, "We haven't made them members of the association yet. There are around 3,000 male make up artists already, and no woman can just come up and do the make up.