The entertainment industry has always recognized versatile talents who can leave a mark in various aspects of the craft. One such artist is Sharad Kelkar, known for his resonant baritone which has dubbed for prominent figures on the silver screen including the renowned Prabhas in the Hindi version of “Salaar: Part 1—Ceasefire”. His voice acting career shines bright, making him one of the most sought-after voice actors today.
However, Kelkar has a new direction in mind for his journey in the arts. He is shifting his axis, choosing to put a greater emphasis on his on-screen acting pursuits over his voice-acting contributions. His decision, influenced by his desire for audiences to recognize and appreciate his acting capabilities, marks a significant shift in his career trajectory. “I haven’t dubbed for a Hollywood film for ages. I want to concentrate on my acting career. I want people to notice my acting skills over my voice. Acting is my main profession and passion,” he reveals.
Despite this strategic pivot towards acting, Kelkar has opted to lend his voice in an exceptional case—a choice influenced by compelling character development and unique storytelling. He voices Raavan in the acclaimed third season of “The Legend of Hanuman” on Disney+ Hotstar. The creative minds behind the series, Sharad Devarajan and Jeevan J King from the production house Graphic India, have reimagined an iconic villain with nuanced layers that intrigued Kelkar. “The dubbing was done before, and the animation was created on it. So, I had the liberty to present Raavan the way I wanted to. The characterisation is so in-depth,” Kelkar expresses with enthusiasm.
Unlike classic portrayals that often box Raavan into a monolithic antagonist role, “The Legend of Hanuman” explores a wider emotional spectrum. The character is imbued with softness, friendliness, and emotions that humanize him beyond his notorious legacy. Kelkar found this fresh take both challenging and rewarding, which ultimately compelled him to breach his self-imposed dubbing hiatus.
Looking forward, the year 2024 stands as a pivotal horizon for Sharad Kelkar. He has multiple exciting projects that are sure to kindle the interest of cinephiles and television aficionados alike. Among them is “Indian Police Force”, a much-anticipated series directed by the prominent Rohit Shetty and situated within the thrilling universe of Shetty’s cop dramas. The series promises to be on par with the adrenaline-infused narratives of films from the “Singham” franchise to the action-packed “Sooryavanshi” from 2021.
In a significant personal milestone, Kelkar will also be seen making his Tamil film debut with the science-fiction venture “Ayalaan”. The project boasts of high-tech visual effects and represents another domain for Kelkar to showcase his acting prowess in an industry that continues to grow both in scale and global reach.
Sharad Kelkar’s deliberate transition from voice acting showcases the journey of an artist seeking to reinvent and rediscover his passion for performance. While his voice may have become synonymous with iconic characters and powerful leads, it is the intricacies and facets of on-screen acting that Kelkar now seeks to explore.
Kelkar’s professional shift is a testament to the evolving masteries of an artist unhindered by boundaries and a reminder of the potential within the industry for versatile talents to maneuver through varied pathways of creative expression. Fans will be watching eagerly as they witness Sharad Kelkar embrace a new chapter, one that reassures his standing as both a formidable actor and a voice artist of rare distinction.
