KOTTAYAM: Venmani Suresh Vallabhan is a master haircutter who performs blindfolded. VIPs don't allow him to perform his show but he's the preferred hairstylist of political leaders and filmmakers. From Oommen Chandy to Yesudas, many celebrities have had their hair cut by Suresh showcasing his scissor skills.

KM Mani, PJ Joseph, Kanam Rajendran, Chrysostom Thirumeni, Madhu, Jayasuriya, Ganesh Kumar, Guinness Pakru, Vijayaraghavan, Siddique, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Rachana Narayanankutty and many more famous people have experienced Suresh's artistry. There's a photo gallery of VVIPs getting their haircuts at his barbershop in Thirunakkara, Kottayam. The 54-year-old has been running this barbershop for over 30 years.

For people like Oommen Chandy, who are in a hurry, he used to go to their lodgings to cut their hair. He did the same for Saint Chrysostom. VIPs would book appointments with him and his wife Beena takes care of the women's section.

Oommen Chandy can only spare five minutes, while Yesudas is more patient. After 13 years, Suresh came to Chennai to cut Yesudas's hair. Yesudas's hair is treasured, and he gifted 75 books to Suresh on his 75th birthday.

After completing the 8th grade, Suresh joined his father's barbershop, later starting a drama troupe and writing six plays. He also ventured into acting through the play 'Sukrithakshayam' and did mimicry. With the money he earned from cutting hair, he bought land in Kanjikuzhi, his hometown in Idukki, and turned it into agricultural land, naming it Smrithivanam. His daughter Akshara got married there and he started the Kairali Study Help Center for the locals.

Suresh, blindfolded, cuts all kinds of hair, a practice he began 20 years ago by memorizing exact measurements using a head dummy. Initially, people were hesitant to agree, but the first to let him try were auto workers in Kottayam.