14 April,2014 01:37 PM IST | | Shakti Shetty
While their Hollywood counterparts do it with a lot of pride, Bollywood actors are slowly opening up to the idea of lending voice to animated characters
Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shah Rukh Khan
One of the reasons - other than big budget and use of latest technology - why Hollywood's animation films click with global audiences is the fact that they usually have a known star cast lending voice to their characters. And although animation films are still at a nascent stage in India, more Bollywood actors are now willing to dub for films in this genre - be it an Indian or an international production. hitlist points out a few recent instancesâ¦
Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor
Film: 'Roadside Romeo' (2008)
Lowdown: Saif Ali Khan has lent his voice to the titular character in this animation venture. To add to this, the character of Laila, Romeo's girlfriend, was voiced by Saif's then-girlfriend-now-wife, Kareena Kapoor.
Shah Rukh Khan
Film: 'The Incredibles' (2004)
Lowdown: With the Hindi version of this film, King Khan made his grand debut as a voiceover artiste. He voiced the character of Lajawab, who is the protagonist of the animation franchise. His decision to dub for this film then paved the way for other Bollywood actors to follow suit.
Priyanka Chopra
Film: 'Planes' (2013)
Lowdown: This Disney venture had a plane named Ishani and voicing the character was our very own Piggy Chops. It marked her debut as a voiceover artiste. Interestingly, she bagged this Hollywood project after the release of her single, Exotic.
Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha
Film: 'Rio 2' (2014)
Lowdown: The two couldn't save last year's film, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobara, from tanking at the box office. But both are now lending their voices to the Hindi version of this sequel. Imran and Sona are voicing the birdy characters, Blu and Jewel, respectively.
John Abraham
Film: 'Alibababa Aur 41 Chor'
Lowdown: Given the project's scale of production, this upcoming animation film is supposed to signal a breakthrough in the industry. While not much is known about the cast, John is supposed to do the voiceover for the protagonist, Ali Baba.
Shreyas Talpade
Film: 'Dashavatar' (2008)
Lowdown: In this film that centres around the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Shreyas has lent his voice to the likeable character of Narad in this mythology fest. Till date, it's the only Bollywood animation venture he has done a voiceover for.
