| Khin San Win | |
| Native Name Lang: | my |
| Birth Date: | 1965 6, df=yes |
| Nationality: | Burmese |
| Years Active: | 1983–present |
| Birth Place: | Yangon, Myanmar |
| Occupation: | Make-up artist, fashion designer, actress |
| Alma Mater: | University of Yangon |
Khin San Win (Burmese: ခင်စန်းဝင်း; born 8 June 1965) is a Burmese make-up artist, fashion designer, hair specialist turned actress after three decades-long experience in the Myanmar makeup industry. For decades she was known by the nickname Ma Gyi San while working as a make-up artist in Myanmar, before her acting debut.[1] [2] [3] [4] Khin San Win featured on The Myanmar Times "Top 10 Make-up artists" list in 2018.[5]
Khin San Win was born on 8 June 1965 in Yangon, Myanmar, and was raised with three brothers and one sister. She favoured a female identity and was constantly misunderstood, discriminated against, abused and treated with violence, even within the family.
She attended high school at Basic Education High School No. 2 Dagon and graduated from University of Yangon.[6]
At the age of 18, she learned from make-up artists Ko Toe and Sandi. When she was aged 21, she opened a hairdressing salon on 34th Street in Yangon. She offered to work for popular movie stars and made a name for herself in the make-up industry. She rose to prominence while working with actresses Htet Htet Moe Oo, Htoo Mon, Myo Thandar Htun and others, arranging their hair and changing their look. She started a dress service when in 1991.[1]
She owns a bridal make-up and wedding dress service, teaches make-up classes and enjoys popularity amongst the country's LGBT community. She then became an actress.[7] [8] [9]
She made her acting debut with a leading role in the film Ma Gyi San and Her Lovers, alongside Htet Aung Shine and Zwe Pyae, directed by Myat Khine. The film was released in 2016.[4]
In 2017, she starred in her second film Tanay Mhar Maung Ko De A Kyaung Tway Pyaw Pya Ya Oo Mal, alongside Aye Chan Maung, directed by Naing Myo Tun (Yangon University). The film was released on 27 February 2018.[10] [11]
In 2018, she took on her first big-screen role in comedy film Kyar Kyar Kyite Kyite, where she played the main role with Myint Myat, Min Maw Kun, Nyi Nyi Maung, Linn Linn and Ma Htet.[12] [13] The film was directed by Pyi Hein Thiha which premiered in Myanmar cinemas on 29 August 2019.[14] [15] Her portrayal of the LGBT character earned praised by fans for her acting performance and character interpretation, and experienced a resurgence of popularity.
Khin San Win is a supporter of the LGBT rights in Myanmar, she actively participated in many LGBT rights campaigns in Yangon. She is lobbying for the abolishing of Article 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code.[16]