For over the time dubbing artists have become the integral part of cinema, especially in the era of pan-Indian films where movies are breaking linguistic barriers and reaching diverse audiences. One of such renowned voice artists is Rajesh Khattar, who is currently gaining all the attention for his stupendous work voicing SP Bhanwar Singh Shekawat’s character in the Hindi version of Pushpa 2: The Rule which released on December 5, 2024. The film that continues to achieve unprecedented success collecting more than ₹1800 crore globally and ₹800 crore in its Hindi version alone. Despite this, Rajesh Khattar highlights how dubbing artists rarely get their due.
In an exclusive interview with Lehren Retro, Rajesh Khattar made some strong points about the need for better remuneration and royalty for dubbing artists. He voiced upon how directors, writers, musicians and other crew members of a film are acknowledged for their contributions, and the voices behind dubbed films remain largely overlooked.
Reflecting on his career, the Don actor said, “If we calculate the business generated by the films I’ve dubbed for, it must exceed ₹3000–4000 crore conservatively. How can anyone negate the contribution of dubbing artists in these successes?” As Rajesh Khattar has been in the dubbing industry for over 25 years, lending his voice to over 400 films, animated series and live-action projects. From iconic franchises like The Matrix, X-Men and Shrek to South Indian hits like Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Ghajini, Khattar’s contributions are immense if we deep dive into his filmography.
ALSO READ: What If AR Rahman Composed The Music Of A Marvel Movie?
Mr Khattar further noted that while singers and musicians have fought long and hard for royalties, dubbing artists are still struggling. Using a popular Hindi phrase he added, “Dilli bahut durr hai,” expressing the pain and distant dream of receiving royalties for their work.
For more detailed and thought-provoking insights shared by actor and dubbing artist Rajesh Khattar, watch the full exclusive interview below:
Rajesh Khattar further voiced over the importance of valuing voice artists, especially in an industry where dubbed versions often surpass original films in revenue. Also, no doubt it is widely known how Pushpa 2‘s ongoing Hindi success major chunk of applaud goes to the efforts of the dubbing team, whose work resonated with audiences.
ALSO READ: Why did Bipasha Basu Refuse to Work with Kareena Kapoor Khan After Film Ajnabee?
