A still from Kantara.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Suraj Sudhan, a radio jockey based in Kochi, is on the top of the world. The voice of Rishab Shetty in the Malayalam version of the Kannada blockbuster Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, Suraaj is basking in the attention coming his way. “When I gave the voice test, I had no idea it was for a lead actor and for a film such as Kantara,” says Suraaj.
Better known as RJ Suraaj, he has been a radio jockey for over 11 years, and a dubbing artiste since 2019, lending his voice to short films, web series and feature films, but this is a break he had been waiting for, says Suraaj. “My excitement has not died down. This is the biggest film in my career and now I believe that dreams do come true.”
Once he got through the crucial selection test, it was revealed that he would be dubbing for Rishab Shetty and that was the “moment that changed his fortunes”, believes Suraaj.
Suraj Sudhan with Rishab Shetty
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The brief he got for the dubbing was to keep it simple and “ordinary”. “Rishab Shetty was playing the role of an ordinary tribal man, Berme, and he wanted me to speak in a clear and simple way. He did not want an overly modulated voice,” adds Suraaj. While the shrieks and howls of the character as he transforms into the Bhootakola is that of Rishab Shetty’s, the yells in the fight sequences, as Berme, are Suraaj’s.
The dubbing was done in a studio in Kochi, between Suraaj’s work as an RJ. “Sometimes, the sessions would go late into the night.”
Suraaj has dubbed for actor Sivakarthikeyan in the Malayalam dubbing of the Tamil film Prince, for Unni Mukundan in the Malayalam dubbing of the Tamil film Yashodha, for Aamir Khan in the Malayalam version of the web series The Bads of Bollywood and for a Tamil crime series, Suzhal: The Vortex.
Suraaj says he thoroughly enjoyed dubbing for a comedy character in the Telugu fantasy film Hanu-Man. “It needed a lot of modulations and comical ways of talking. Usually, it is very hard to dub for comedy scenes, especially for actors such as Vadivelu and Santhanam. One has to deliver the dialogue in one stretch and it can be quite challenging. I have often found myself breathless,” he laughs.
Suraaj has dubbed for Malayalam films and series as well including Pappan, CBI and 1,000 Babies among others. Settled in Kothakulam in North Paravur, Suraaj has been a stage anchor and even got to act in two Malayalam films. “Cinema has always been a dream and for me, the break has come through my voice. I consider it a blessing,” he says.
Published – October 17, 2025 07:07 am IST
