Nov 01, 2026 4:00pm IST
Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh: Indian Stars Who Have Voiced Iconic Hollywood Characters
Remember when Mufasa spoke in Shah Rukh Khan’s unmistakable baritone, Deadpool cracked jokes in Ranveer Singh’s trademark style or Spider-Man sounded like cricketer Shubman Gill? Hollywood’s biggest characters have had some interesting encounters with some of the biggest actors in the Hindi film industry and other popular celebrities, giving Indian audiences another reason to embrace their favorite franchises.
The latest example is Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who have lent their voices to the Hindi version of the horror film “Obsession.” Sanon voices Nikki, originally played by Inde Navarrette, while Dhawan voices Bear, played by Michael Johnston. The collaboration brings two familiar Indian faces to a film whose appeal rests on suspense, unsettling emotions and unpredictable characters.
But this is not Dhawan’s first Hollywood dubbing assignment. In 2016, he voiced Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America, in the Hindi version of “Captain America: Civil War.” For Sanon, “Obsession” marks her first experience dubbing for another actor’s on-screen performance.
It is a different kind of acting challenge. A familiar face might sell a ticket, but a voice has to do the heavy lifting.
When Shah Rukh Khan became the king of the jungle
Few casting choices have been as instantly recognizable as Shah Rukh Khan voicing Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King” (2019). Khan brought his commanding voice to the wise lion, while his son Aryan voiced Simba. The father-son casting added another layer of appeal to a story about a father preparing his son for the responsibilities of kingship.
Khan had previously voiced Mr Incredible in Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” His deep, distinctive voice suited a superhero who is equally powerful, exasperated and devoted to his family.
There is a reason studios gravitate towards established stars. A recognisable voice gives audiences an immediate connection with an unfamiliar character, particularly in family entertainment. In “The Lion King”, the casting also connected one of India’s biggest stars with one of Disney’s most enduring stories.
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Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra’s royal sister act
If there was ever a dubbing assignment that benefited from a real-life relationship, it was “Frozen 2” (2019). Priyanka Chopra voiced Elsa, while her cousin Parineeti Chopra voiced Anna. The casting brought two recognisable Indian actors into a story whose emotional core is the bond between sisters.
Priyanka had previously voiced Ishani, an Indian racing plane, in Disney’s “Planes” (2013). She subsequently voiced Kaa, the hypnotic python originally voiced by Scarlett Johansson, in the Hindi version of “The Jungle Book” (2016). Her measured delivery suited a character whose greatest weapon is the ability to charm and disarm its prey.
The film also assembled an impressive Indian ensemble. Irrfan voiced Baloo, Nana Patekar voiced Shere Khan, Om Puri voiced Bagheera and Shefali Shah voiced Raksha.
From Deadpool to Captain America
When it comes to matching a character’s personality, Ranveer Singh voicing Ryan Reynolds’ irreverent antihero in “Deadpool 2” (2018) was an intriguing pairing. Singh’s energetic persona and appetite for outrageous humor made him an appealing choice for a character who routinely breaks the fourth wall. His casting also generated promotional buzz around the Hindi version.
Dhawan’s earlier Marvel assignment offered a different challenge. Voicing Captain America in “Captain America: Civil War” required him to recreate Evans’ performance rather than simply bring his own screen persona to the role. The casting also gave Disney India an opportunity to connect with younger audiences through a popular star.
The roster extends further. Tiger Shroff voiced Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017), while Kajol voiced Elastigirl in Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” (2018). Aishwarya Rai Bachchan voiced Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (2019).
Shubman Gill swings into Spider-Man’s universe
One of the more unusual additions came in 2023, when cricketer Shubman Gill voiced Pavitr Prabhakar, the Indian Spider-Man, in the Hindi and Punjabi versions of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”.
This was particularly clever casting. Pavitr is an Indian superhero, so bringing in a cricketer with a massive following gave the character an additional connection with young audiences. Gill’s involvement also offered Sony Pictures India a promotional hook beyond traditional film marketing.
The example illustrates why dubbing has become more than a translation exercise. It can make a global property feel locally relevant through an actor’s popularity, a character’s cultural identity or both.
Why Hollywood wants Indian stars behind the microphone
Ultimately, the strategy is about reach. Dubbing allows studios to connect with viewers who prefer watching films in Hindi and other Indian languages. Casting a familiar celebrity adds marketing muscle, creating opportunities for interviews, promotional videos and social media conversations.
The approach works particularly well for animation, superhero adventures and family entertainment, where recognizable voices can attract audiences across age groups. It can also introduce younger viewers to international franchises through performers they already follow.
However, celebrity casting comes with a catch. Voice acting is not simply about sounding like oneself. Performers must match the original character’s emotional rhythm, synchronize dialogue with the on-screen performance and preserve the nuances that make the character believable.
That is what makes Dhawan and Sanon’s “Obsession” collaboration interesting. Their names may draw attention to the Hindi version, but the real test is whether they can recreate the unease and emotional shifts of horror without letting their celebrity personas overwhelm their characters.
Hollywood can borrow our stars, but the voices must still belong to the characters.
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