Actor Sharad Kelkar recently visited Hyderabad to promote the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar animated series, Baahubali: Crown of Blood. Kelkar, known for lending his voice to Prabhas’ character in the Baahubali films, reprised his role for the animated series. During a press event with director SS Rajamouli and the rest of the series team, Kelkar shared insights into the dubbing process for the series and his experience working on it.
Reflecting on his journey from being a stammerer to becoming the beloved voice of Baahubali, Kelkar expressed gratitude to Rajamouli for the opportunity. He mentioned how his life changed after voicing Baahubali in Hindi, and how unexpected it was for his voice to receive such love and appreciation from the audience. Despite not appearing on screen, Kelkar’s voice resonated with viewers, leading to the opportunity to dub for Baahubali once again in Crown of Blood.
Kelkar admitted that dubbing for Baahubali without Prabhas as a reference was challenging initially. However, by channeling Prabhas’ character and imagining how he would deliver his lines, Kelkar was able to find his footing and deliver a compelling performance. He expressed hope that the audience would enjoy his portrayal of Baahubali in the animated series.
Speaking about Baahubali: Crown of Blood, the animated series is set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on May 17 in multiple languages. The series explores a dark chapter in the history of the Mahishmati kingdom, posing challenges for its two princes, Baahubali and Bhallaladeva. Rajamouli, the creative force behind the Baahubali franchise, entrusted Sharad Devaranjan as the show’s creator for this new venture.
In summary, Kelkar’s journey from a small-town boy with a stammer to becoming the voice of a beloved character like Baahubali is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. As audiences eagerly await the premiere of Baahubali: Crown of Blood, Kelkar’s portrayal of the iconic character promises to be a highlight of the animated series.
