Prithviraj – I dubbed for Aadujeevitham in Kannada because an actor’s voice is a large part of his performance

Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s passion project, Aadujeevitham, based on the true-life story of a Malayali forced into slavery as a goatherd in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and his eventual escape from this after a few years, is releasing in theatres on March 28. Directed by National Award-winning director Blessy, Aadujeevitham is releasing in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English, with Hombale Films distributing it in Karnataka.

In Bengaluru as part of the film’s promotions, Prithviraj, who shares a close association with the banner, spoke at length about the Kannada version and the reason he chose to dub for himself yet again. In getting Hombale Films to distribute the film, the actor said that given his close association with Vijay Kiragandur, who is a close friends and co-associate, he had the liberty to not ask and, instead, tell the latter that he has to do the needful for the Karnataka release. Vijay, of course, said okay without batting an eyelid.

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Prithviraj: Attempted the misadventure of dubbing in Kannada again; pardon the bad Kannada

As for the Kannada dubbing, Prithviraj says that the team worked as hard as they could on this version as well. The idea was to create as much of originality, while also keeping the Malayali culture and nativity within the film for the audience who would like to see Aadujeevitham in Kannada. “I have once again attempted the misadventure of dubbing in Kannada. So, when you watch the film, pardon the bad Kannada. I really look forward to hearing what you think of this passion project that we are presenting on March 28,” he said.

Elaborating on his reason for dubbing himself, Prithviraj said that an actor’s voice is a large part of his/her performance and he was not ready to let go of that control, which is also why he chose to lend his voice to his role in Salaar: Ceasefire. “I am blessed with an affinity for languages. When I listen to someone speaking a language, I can reciprocate and reproduce if I have the lines with me. This is not the first time I have dubbed in Kannada; I have done it for Salaar. My take as an actor is that your voice, and the way it lends itself to the lines you speak, form a large part of your performance. I feel a little uncomfortable letting go of that control. I am not comfortable letting someone else perform that part for me.”

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While on the topic of dubbing, Prithviraj also noted that whenever actors attempt dubbing in multiple languages, it is normally in their home language, which, in his case is Malayalam, and then maybe in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Not many dub in Kannada, the reason for which he is unsure of. This is also why, when Prashant Neel first narrated Salaar to him, Prithviraj insisted on being allowed to dub in all 5 languages. “Prashant asked me, ‘Kannada also?’ and I said, ‘Yes’. I was very keen to dub in Kannada. I am fully aware that my Kannada is not perfect, but you are an intelligent audience, you will know that it is a Malayali actor attempting to dub in Kannada and you will forgive me for the mistakes,” said Prithviraj.