1. Personal & Professional Background
Can you tell us about your journey into the world of voiceover acting?
My journey in the voice over industry so far has been amazing. There’s a lot of hard work behind it, a long journey filled with effort and dedication. Alhamdulillah, things are going well, and I’m grateful for that. Your journey can also be successful if you stay committed to your struggle and maintain consistency. Being persistent is crucial in any field. No matter what you do, dedication and perseverance are the keys to success.
What inspired you to pursue voiceover, especially in dubbing for dramas and cartoons?
I was inspired by watching dubbed dramas. Even before that, I had a natural talent for mimicry. I could imitate voices very well, especially cartoon characters. Growing up, I could easily copy the voices of the cartoons I watched, but I never really thought about dubbing as a career at that time. It was when I started watching dubbed dramas, particularly Turkish ones, that I became curious. I remember watching Mera Sultan and Manahil Aur Khalil during my childhood and wondering why these characters didn’t look like us or speak our language originally. That’s when my mother explained the concept of dubbing to me. It fascinated me that someone could voice a character in a completely different language and make it feel natural. That’s when I first realized the power of voice acting and became interested in this field.
Is voice acting a sustainable career for you, or do you pursue other work for additional income?
I would say that voice acting can be a great source of additional income. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, this industry doesn’t have consistent growth. It expands for a while, then slows down, and this cycle keeps repeating. For example, back in 2012-13, when the industry was thriving, I wasn’t a part of it yet and didn’t even know much about it. At that time, there was a lot of work, and many people were involved in it. After the success of Ertugrul Ghazi, there was a rise in dubbing projects in Pakistan, especially for cartoons and TV shows in Urdu. Before that, dubbing wasn’t as common, even on Cartoon Network, Kids Zone and other kids’ channels. The real push for dubbing started only a few years ago. In my opinion, one should have a stable profession, a fixed job,because relying solely on dubbing or voice acting can be uncertain. In the commercial industry, success is possible, but it largely depends on clients approving your voice. That’s why I believe having a secure job is crucial, and voice acting can be an excellent side business or additional work. It’s a fantastic field, and anyone passionate about it can definitely make a mark.
How do you prepare yourself for switching between different languages while dubbing?
Before dubbing, I always prepare myself by first understanding the character’s requirements. Who is the character? Is it a female, a child, or a teenager? Since I also voice teenagers and young kids, it’s important to analyze the role carefully. Apart from the character, I also consider the niche of the project. Is it targeted at Gen Z, related to history, or focused on politics? If it’s a historical drama, for example, strong Urdu skills are essential. You need to understand the language style and the environment of that era. Take Ertugrul Ghazi, for instance, if we hadn’t used a historical tone and vocabulary, the dubbing wouldn’t have matched the essence of the drama. So, my preparation involves immersing myself in the time period and the specific tone required for the project.
What has been your most challenging and most enjoyable dubbing experience so far?
The most enjoyable dubbing experiences for me have been those where I get to voice fun and unique characters, especially in family dramas and cartoons. The enjoyment largely depends on the character itself, some roles are so engaging that they make the entire dubbing process exciting. I particularly love dubbing for cartoons because they don’t have to follow real-world logic. While they might be inspired by real stories, they are fictional, which allows for more creative freedom. I’ve voiced a variety of characters, including a robot and even animals! One of the most fun experiences was dubbing for Jungle Book, where I played a baby monkey. It was a thrilling challenge because, as a human, I had to sound like a mischievous little monkey jumping, climbing trees, and expressing emotions in an entirely different way. Similarly, I also voiced a baby crocodile, which required a rough, somewhat raspy voice to match its personality. Since crocodiles are known to be dangerous, their voice couldn’t sound too soft or sweet, it had to feel natural. As for challenges, one of the biggest ones is ensuring that the character’s voice feels authentic, not like a human forcing a voice behind it. For example, when dubbing 100% Wolf, I focused on making sure my dubbing blended so seamlessly with the character that it felt like the character’s own voice rather than an actor speaking behind it. I believe the true art of voice acting is when the audience forgets that someone is dubbing and fully connects with the character. That’s what I always aim for in my performances.
How do you adapt your voice to fit different characters, from serious drama roles to animated cartoons?
Adapting my voice to different characters depends entirely on the nature of the role. Cartoons and dramas are completely different worlds, and each requires a unique approach. When dubbing for cartoons, I need to bring in 100% energy because animated characters are exaggerated in their expressions, movements, and speech. Unlike dramas, where dialogue delivery can be slower and more natural, cartoons demand a high level of enthusiasm and variation in tone. Since animated characters don’t exist in real life, their voices must be performed in a way that brings them to life and makes them feel believable in their own universe. Anime, in particular, is very different from regular cartoons. Since most anime originates from Japan, many projects require extremely high-pitched tones, intense emotions, and even frequent screaming. Adapting to these characters means fully committing to their energy and emotional range so that the performance feels authentic. Dramas, on the other hand, are based on real life. They reflect everyday emotions, making it essential to deliver dialogues in a natural and relatable way. The key to adaptation in drama dubbing is understanding the project and its setting. I always ensure that my voice matches the time period, culture, and emotional depth of the character. For instance, if my character belongs to a historical setting from 100 or 200 years ago, I immerse myself in that world to make my performance convincing. People often ask me if I still remember the voices of the characters I’ve dubbed. My answer is always yes! That’s because I mentally transport myself into the world of that character. If it’s an animated project, I know whether I am in a kid’s zone or dubbing for Cartoon Network, and I adjust my performance accordingly. Similarly, in dramas, I place myself in the character’s time and environment, which helps me adapt my voice naturally to fit each role.
What are the key challenges in dubbing foreign-language dramas into Urdu? Dubbing foreign-language dramas into Urdu comes with several challenges, especially in languages like Korean, Turkish, Spanish, and Persian. One of the biggest difficulties arises with Korean dramas because their sentence structures and speech patterns are quite different from Urdu. For instance, Korean speakers often extend the last syllable of a sentence, whereas in Urdu, we tend to finish our sentences more abruptly. If we directly translate and dub a line, it may feel awkward or out of sync with the character’s expressions. To overcome this, we carefully select words and adjust sentence structures so they fit naturally within the timing of the original dialogue. This requires a lot of coordination between voice actors, scriptwriters, and audio engineers. Sometimes, we have to slightly modify the script while keeping the meaning intact to ensure a smooth and natural delivery. In the end, it’s all about selecting the right words and timing them perfectly to maintain both the authenticity of the character and the fluency of the Urdu language. How do you ensure that emotions and expressions remain authentic in a dubbed performance? Authentic emotions in dubbing come from skilled voice acting that perfectly matches the original actor’s expressions and intent. Unlike original acting, dubbing requires replicating another performance with precision.If the voice lacks the right emotions, it feels that flat and lifeless.A great dub seamlessly blends voice, expressions, and emotions, making it feel natural and true to the character. Has any actor whose voice you have dubbed ever given feedback on your work? As an artist, it’s an incredible feeling when the original actor of a dubbed character appreciates your work. Alhamdulillah, I’ve been very lucky in this regard, as I’ve received positive responses multiple times from actors whose voices I’ve dubbed. For example, when I dubbed Usman’s character in Ertugrul Ghazi, he personally sent me a message appreciating my work. Later, when he visited Pakistan, he even expressed a desire to meet me. Unfortunately, I was in Karachi, and he was in Islamabad at the time, so we couldn’t arrange a meeting due to some ongoing commitments. But just knowing that he valued my work enough to reach out was a huge honor. Similarly, when I dubbed for Hamari Kahani, I sent my work to the actor, and they responded with great appreciation. Many artists I’ve dubbed for have sent me warm wishes and encouraging feedback. I even worked on a sitcom, Seven and Me, and when I shared my work, the actress followed me on social media, just like Usman and others. Receiving recognition from the original actors is a huge motivation for me, and it reassures me that I am doing justice to their performances through my voice
Have you ever faced difficulties matching the lip-sync in dubbing? How do you handle it? Lip-syncing in dubbing is challenging since translations don’t always match lip movements. To handle this, we carefully choose words that align with the character’s mouth, focusing on the opening sounds. Using synonyms and adjusting pacing helps maintain a natural flow, ensuring the dialogue looks seamless.
3 Cartoon & Animated Voice Acting
What are the major differences between dubbing for dramas and Cartoons?
Dubbing for dramas and cartoons requires different approaches. In dramas, the focus is on
natural, subtle emotions that align with the original actor’s expressions. In
contrast, cartoons, especially anime, demand high energy, exaggerated emotions,
and intense vocal performances, often leading to vocal strain. Unlike
controlled drama dubbing, cartoon dubbing can be physically exhausting due to
frequent shouting and action scenes. Beyond these, voice-over work spans
various categories, including commercials and general voice acting, each requiring
distinct skills. Versatile artists excel by mastering variations, strong
expressions, and maintaining the right energy.
4. Industry Insights & Personal Growth
How do you train and improve your
voiceover skills?
Improving voiceover skills requires practice, clear pronunciation, and fluency in Urdu.
Vocal consistency is key, maintaining a character’s voice throughout dubbing is essential. expressiveness matters, as dubbing is about conveying emotions, not just reading lines. Voice care, hydration, and vocal exercises help maintain clarity. Mastering Urdu, the
primary language in Pakistan’s dubbing industry, is crucial before attempting
foreign language dubbing.
Many dubbing artists are now leveraging social media to grow their audience. How has social media impacted your career, and which productions have you worked on that gained significant attention?
Social media has been a game-changer in my dubbing career, giving me visibility and recognition that artists in Pakistan often lack. My Dora dubbing video went viral on Facebook, leading to interviews and a growing fan base, especially from India, Dubai, and Bangladesh. I’ve worked with Urdu One, Kids Zone Pakistan, Gill’s Studio, and Ak studio, among others. I’m grateful to mentors like Ajay Kumar and Sara Gill, As well as fellow artists who supported me. Social media has amplified my work, helping me connect with a global audience.
What advice would you give to
aspiring voiceover artists, especially those interested in dubbing?
Aspiring
dubbing artists should focus on clear pronunciation, strong expressions, and
continuous practice. Dubbing isn’t just about speaking, it’s about acting with
your voice. Many struggle in auditions because they haven't practiced enough.
Before entering the industry, I dubbed
various videos at home, challenging myself with different emotions like
crying or shouting. Auditions are key; if you’re not prepared, you won’t get
opportunities. The best way to improve is to watch dramas. Pick scenes. And
practice dubbing them. This industry moves fast, so be ready before your chance
comes, practice is the key to success.
Roughly how many characters have you
voiced so far? Can you name some of the most famous ones?
I’ve voiced many characters throughout my career, and some stand out as unforgettable. One of my earliest major projects was Hamari Kahani, where I voiced mini Sheraz and Arzoo. I had watched the first season as a viewer, never imagining I'd later be part of its dubbing
team. Similarly, when Ertugrul Ghazi first aired, I had no industry connections, yet years later, I
dubbed Osman and Cholpan Khatun.
I’ve also voiced Dora in Dora the Explorer, Raven in Teen Titans, Daphne in Scooby-Doo, and Bulma and Zeno in Dragon Ball. Other notable works include Hunter x Hunter and Snow White in Seven & Me. Dubbing has allowed me to explore a wide range of characters, from historical figures to animated icons, shaping my journey as a voice artist.
Do you think AI-generated voices
will impact the future of dubbing and voiceover work?
Ai is making strides in voice generation, but it still lacks the emotional depth and
expressions needed for dubbing. While AI works well for short recordings or
cost-saving projects, the majority of the industry still relies on human voice
actors. In the future, AI might improve enough to add better expressions, and
voice actors may even provide samples for AI to generate entire performances.
However, true acting and emotional nuance remain unmatched by AI. While
technology keeps evolving, for now, human voiceover artists are still
essential. I leave the future to Allah, and as long as my voice is needed, work
will continue.
