Sharad Kelkar: Dubbing artists are not promoted enough in Bollywood

Actor Sharad Kelkar has dubbed in Hindi for Telugu actor Prabhas in SS Rajmouli’s Bahubali franchise, which is breaking records at the box office. Sharad, who has also dubbed in Hindi for Hollywood films such as Dawn of the Planet of Apes, Mad Max: Fury Road, XXX: Return of Xander Cage,says that a dubbing artist should be given more credit and recognition.

“At times, I feel that the dubbing industry is a little left out [from Bollywood] and artists don’t get their due. In Hollywood, if any animation film is dubbed, the artists are promoted in a big way, but that’s not the case in India and Bollywood,” says Sharad, who has acted in films such as Mohenjo Daro (2016), Rocky Handsome (2016) and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram - Leela (2013).

It’s not just the lack of recognition, Sharad feels that even the pay isn’t good enough. “Although I am not a dubbing artist, it’s not a feasible industry for everyone because of commercial reasons. I don’t work for money, but for others, it is sad. If not commercials, then maybe they should get the [due] recognition. Whether the film does well or not, the [budding] actor should be promoted,” adds the actor.

The actor hopes that things will change in the future. “Earlier, dubbing artists such as Ameen Sayani, Vishnu Sharma and others got the recognition. May be with Rajamouli sir’s film, which has done so well, people will start noticing the hard work of dubbing artists,” concludes Sharad.