Suniel Shetty calls dubbing the most fascinating aspect of filmmaking

In a long LinkedIn post, actor Suniel Shetty called dubbing the most fascinating aspect of filmmaking.

Chennai | June 27, 2023 06:29 PM IST

4 min read

Suniel Shetty was last seen in Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega. (Photo: Suniel Shetty/LinkedIn)

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Suniel Shetty, who has 35 years of experience in the Hindi film industry, took to LinkedIn to share his insights on the importance of dubbing in the ever-evolving process of filmmaking. In his recent post, he explained the hard work and discipline that goes into dubbing for a project.

He wrote, “Over the course of the 35-odd years I’ve spent in the film business, I’ve witnessed a remarkable evolution of the film industry. There are so many exciting aspects to filmmaking. However, none is as fascinating as dubbing. In the early years of my career, most films relied heavily on the dubbing process, where hours were spent in the studio meticulously recreating dialogues and sound effects to synchronize with the visual footage captured on set.”

Suniel Shetty also explained how, in the process of dubbing, an actor has to get into the character in a dark room, without the presence of an elaborate set and costumes. He wrote, “Dubbing is an intricate process, requiring technical precision and attention to detail. A lot more challenging than dancing for songs, even for a non-dancer like me. When I’m acting, there’s make-up, I’m dressed for my character, I am on a film set or location, all of which help me get into the character. In short, I’m in the right environment and set-up to play a particular character. But while dubbing, all I have are some visuals – primarily to get the lip-sync in place, and a dark studio. And we actors have to use our voice to relive the character, recreate the emotion and timing with nothing more than the visuals.”

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Describing how meticulous the art of dubbing is, the actor wrote, “Imagine the pursuit of perfection, rehearsing lines countless times to ensure every inflection and pause was just right. Even the smallest disparity between voice and image could disrupt the audience’s connection to the story. Dubbing also involves crafting a rich tapestry of sounds, capturing ambient noises, and adding post-production effects to elevate the cinematic experience. Every footstep, rustle of clothing, or creak of a door is recreated, highlighting the power of sound.”

He added, “Technological advancements have undoubtedly transformed the film industry, making sync sound more prevalent now. However, the skills I acquired while dubbing for years, helped me in so many different ways. The art of dubbing refined my voice modulation, helped me communicate with clarity, conviction and control. It honed my public speaking skills, sharpened my sensitivity to body language, all of which helped me in life beyond the movies. Let us remember that as we work hard towards our goals and aspirations, we need to embrace the approach used in those dubbing studios where attention to detail will define the quality of the final result.”

Along with his note, Suniel Shetty shared a picture of himself engrossed in the dubbing process for a project. He recently made his OTT debut with the Amazon miniTV series Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega.

In addition to acting, Suniel Shetty is also an entrepreneur. He owns the production house Popcorn Entertainment Private Limited and has invested in health and fitness startups. He is also the owner of several restaurants in Mumbai.

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