Indian Stars Who Dubbed For International Blockbusters: Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon And More

Written By: Entertainment Desk

Oct 28, 2026 13:36 IST ⓘ

Meet the Indian stars behind familiar Hollywood characters’ desi voices.

The face belongs to a Hollywood star. The voice sounds unmistakably closer to home. Watching an international film in an Indian language can bring an unexpected pleasure: recognising the actor behind a superhero’s speech, a villain’s threat or an animated character’s perfectly timed joke. Over the years, Indian stars have stepped into recording studios to give familiar global characters a different personality, working within performances already created by someone else. It is a crossover that needs no airport appearance, international location or on-screen cameo.

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The latest pairing is Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, who have voiced Bear and Nikki in the Hindi version of Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’. The horror film’s uncut version arrives on JioHotstar’s Peacock Hub on October 30, 2026, giving the ‘Bhediya’ co-stars a distinctly unsettling reunion. From that fresh collaboration to Disney royalty and Marvel heavyweights, here are 18 Indian stars who gave international films a familiar voice.

1. Varun Dhawan - Obsession and Captain America: Civil War

From defending the world to making a catastrophically bad romantic wish, Varun’s dubbing résumé covers quite a distance. In ‘Obsession’, he supplies the Hindi voice of Michael Johnston’s Bear, whose attempt to make his crush love him unleashes a nightmare. Written and directed by Curry Barker, the film also stars Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter. It reached Indian cinemas on May 29, 2026; this Hindi OTT version premieres on October 30. Varun said revisiting the film so closely while dubbing helped him notice details he had previously missed.

He had earlier voiced Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers in the Hindi version of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, released in India on May 6, 2016. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film pits Captain America against Iron Man over superhero accountability, with Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan among its stars. Varun admitted that playing such a measured leader through his voice was a challenge.

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2. Kriti Sanon - Obsession

A reunion with Varun sounds reassuring – until you hear what their characters are dealing with. Kriti voices Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, in Obsession’s Hindi dub, premiering on JioHotstar on October 30, 2026. Curry Barker’s horror film, released theatrically in India on May 29, 2026, follows a wish for love that becomes a frightening lesson in trying to control another person. The original ensemble includes Michael Johnston, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter. Kriti said this was her first experience dubbing another actor’s performance and described Nikki as an edgier character than she had explored before.

3. Shah Rukh Khan - The Lion King

Bollywood’s King lending his voice to a king of the Pride Lands was almost too neat a casting opportunity to resist. Shah Rukh voiced Mufasa, originally performed by James Earl Jones, in the Hindi version of ‘The Lion King’. Jon Favreau’s photoreal computer-animated reimagining released in India on July 19, 2019, following Simba’s journey through loss, exile and the responsibility of reclaiming his place. The English cast includes Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner. With son Aryan voicing Simba in Hindi, the father-son connection added another layer to scenes already designed to tug at the heart.

4. Aryan Khan - Mufasa: The Lion King

Aryan returned as the Hindi voice of Simba in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, while Shah Rukh voiced Mufasa and AbRam voiced young Mufasa. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film released in India on December 20, 2024. Rafiki recounts Mufasa’s early life to Simba’s daughter Kiara, tracing an orphaned cub’s connection with Taka and the journey towards his future kingdom. The English cast includes Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Donald Glover as Simba and Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, alongside Beyoncé and Mads Mikkelsen. The family collaboration gave the same film three familiar Hindi voices.

5. Priyanka Chopra Jonas - The Jungle Book

Priyanka’s Hindi voice for Kaa made a brief encounter in the jungle feel deliciously dangerous. Scarlett Johansson voiced the python in the English version of Jon Favreau’s ‘The Jungle Book’, which released in India on April 8, 2016. Neel Sethi plays Mowgli, the human child raised by wolves whose home becomes unsafe when Shere Khan threatens him. The English voice cast features Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba and Lupita Nyong’o. The Hindi ensemble was a casting event in itself: Irrfan Khan voiced Baloo, Om Puri voiced Bagheera, Nana Patekar voiced Shere Khan and Shefali Shah voiced Raksha. Priyanka had plenty of formidable company behind the microphone.

6. Parineeti Chopra - Frozen 2

Disney found a family connection for its famous sisters: cousins Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra voiced Elsa and Anna, respectively, in the Hindi version of ‘Frozen 2’. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, the sequel released in India on November 22, 2019. It sends the sisters beyond Arendelle to investigate Elsa’s mysterious calling and the origins of her powers. Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell lead the original voice cast, supported by Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad. Parineeti said she recognised Anna’s personality in herself, while Disney highlighted the cousins’ existing chemistry. Their first film collaboration came with an enchanted forest and some unusually demanding family history.

7. Ranveer Singh - Deadpool 2

If any superhero could accommodate Ranveer’s verbal energy, surely it was the one who rarely stops talking. He voiced Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, alias Deadpool, in the Hindi version of ‘Deadpool 2’, released in India on May 18, 2018. Directed by David Leitch, the film follows the foul-mouthed antihero as he tries to protect a young mutant from time-travelling soldier Cable. The original cast includes Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison and Karan Soni. Ranveer’s assignment involved carrying over the wisecracks and irreverence of Reynolds’ performance while making the humour land in Hindi.

8. Tiger Shroff - Spider-Man: Homecoming

Tiger took his superhero enthusiasm into the recording booth – and apparently brought the mask along. He provided the Hindi voice of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, directed by Jon Watts and released in India on July 7, 2017. The film follows a teenage Peter balancing school with his determination to prove himself, while confronting the Vulture. Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon feature in the original cast. Tiger told The Indian Express that he wore a Spider-Man mask while dubbing and physically reacted to the action. Voicing his childhood favourite was, in his words, a step towards the dream of playing him.

9. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Some characters need a voice that can suggest elegance and danger in the same sentence. Aishwarya became the Hindi voice of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent in ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’, released in India on October 18, 2019. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the fantasy sequel tests the bond between the horned fairy and Aurora as a royal marriage draws them into new alliances and conflict. Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sam Riley and Harris Dickinson also star. Disney India specifically cited Aishwarya’s poise and persona when explaining the choice. The result paired one globally recognisable screen presence with the voice of another.

10. Kajol - Incredibles 2

Saving the world is one thing. Doing it while the family’s domestic arrangements are being renegotiated is quite another. Kajol voiced Helen Parr, alias Elastigirl, in the Hindi version of ‘Incredibles 2’, directed by Brad Bird and released in India on June 22, 2018. With Helen leading a campaign to restore public faith in superheroes, Bob faces the demands of looking after their children – until a fresh threat requires everyone’s powers. Holly Hunter voices Helen in English, with Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson and Bird himself also in the cast. Kajol’s role put her at the centre of the action, giving the superhero mum both authority and warmth.

11. Ananya Panday - Inside Out 2

Ananya did not play Anxiety, despite how relatable that casting might sound. She voiced Riley, originally performed by Kensington Tallman, in the Hindi version of ‘Inside Out 2’. Directed by Kelsey Mann, the Pixar sequel released in India on June 14, 2024. Riley’s entry into adolescence brings unfamiliar emotions into her mental headquarters, disrupting Joy and the others as she navigates friendships and hockey camp. The English cast includes Amy Poehler as Joy, Maya Hawke as Anxiety, Phyllis Smith as Sadness and Lewis Black as Anger. Ananya spoke about the character bringing back memories of growing up: a recognisable emotional starting point, even without a tiny control room inside one’s head.

12. Vivek Oberoi - The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The heroes do not get all the interesting dubbing jobs. Vivek voiced Jamie Foxx’s Max Dillon, alias Electro, in the Hindi version of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’. Marc Webb’s sequel released in India on May 1, 2014, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Foxx and Dane DeHaan. As Peter Parker struggles with love, responsibility and secrets connected to Oscorp, Max’s transformation gives him a dangerously powerful adversary. Having played Kaal in ‘Krrish 3’, Vivek was already familiar with the demands of a comic-book villain. This time, the challenge was to make another actor’s transformation – from overlooked employee to electrical threat – convincing in a different language.

13. Arjun Kapoor - Ice Age: Collision Course

A one-eyed weasel might be an unexpected addition to a Bollywood actor’s filmography, but Buck is hardly short of personality. Arjun voiced the Hindi version of Simon Pegg’s Buck in ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’, which released in India on July 15, 2016, ahead of its July 22 US opening. Directed by Mike Thurmeier and co-directed by Galen T. Chu, the adventure brings Buck together with Manny’s herd to tackle a cosmic catastrophe set in motion by Scrat. Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Lopez also feature in the original voice cast. Arjun said the Hindi interpretation gave Buck a streetwise, “tapori” flavour.

14. Rana Daggubati - Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame

After Bhallaladeva, Rana found another commanding villain to voice: Josh Brolin’s Thanos, in the Telugu versions of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Both were directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. ‘Infinity War’, released in India on April 27, 2018, follows the Avengers’ attempt to stop Thanos collecting the Infinity Stones. ‘Endgame’, released on April 26, 2019, follows their desperate effort to undo the consequences. The ensemble includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo. Rana described the work as a learning experience and said receiving the Endgame script earlier allowed more preparation and corrections for the Telugu dialogue.

15. Mahesh Babu - Mufasa: The Lion King

Shah Rukh’s Hindi Mufasa had a Telugu counterpart in Mahesh Babu, who voiced the title character in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. Directed by Barry Jenkins and released in India on December 20, 2024, the film explores the future king’s beginnings, his bond with Taka and the experiences that shape his destiny. Aaron Pierre voices Mufasa in English, alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Donald Glover and Beyoncé. The Telugu version also brought back Brahmanandam as Pumbaa and Ali as Timon. It is a particularly neat example of how one international film can arrive with several sets of local stars – each giving the same cinematic world a different familiar voice.

16. Akshay Kumar - Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Before Indian cinema gave Akshay a full-fledged robotic transformation, Hollywood handed him the voice of an iconic machine. He dubbed Optimus Prime, originally voiced by Peter Cullen, for the Hindi version of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. Directed by Michael Bay, the film released in India on June 29, 2011, starring Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and John Turturro, alongside its voice cast. A discovery linked to a secret lunar mission pulls the Autobots into another battle with the Decepticons, with Earth’s future at stake. Akshay recorded his portions while in London for ‘Housefull 2’ – quite a switch from comedy to commanding the Autobots.

17. Vijay Sethupathi - Avengers: Endgame

Tony Stark’s technological genius came with a familiar Tamil voice when Vijay Sethupathi dubbed Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the superhero epic released in India on April 26, 2019, bringing together Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Josh Brolin, among many others. Following Thanos’ devastating victory, the surviving Avengers attempt a desperate mission to reverse what happened. Vijay’s assignment placed him inside some of the franchise’s most emotionally charged moments. Andrea Jeremiah voiced Black Widow in Tamil, while A.R. Murugadoss wrote the Tamil dialogues, making this a particularly star-studded localisation effort.

18. Sonakshi Sinha - Rio 2

Sonakshi’s Hollywood dubbing adventure came with feathers, family complications and a little singing. She voiced Jewel, originally performed by Anne Hathaway, in the Hindi version of ‘Rio 2’, released in India on April 11, 2014. Directed by Carlos Saldanha, the animated sequel follows Jewel, Blu and their three children as they leave their comfortable surroundings for the Amazon, where Blu struggles to fit into Jewel’s world. The English voice cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Andy Garcia, Bruno Mars, Jamie Foxx and Jemaine Clement. Imran Khan voiced Blu in Hindi, and Sonakshi also sang for the dubbed version.

Honourable mentions

The recording booth has welcomed plenty of other familiar names. Imran Khan voiced Blu in Rio 2’s Hindi version, while Andrea Jeremiah became Black Widow’s Tamil voice in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Venkatesh and Varun Tej supplied the Telugu voices of Will Smith’s Genie and Mena Massoud’s Aladdin, respectively, in ‘Aladdin’ (2019). The 2019 ‘Lion King’ assembled another impressive regional roster: Nani voiced Simba in Telugu, Siddharth voiced Simba in Tamil, and Arvind Swami voiced Scar in Tamil. Arvind’s connection runs particularly deep – he had previously voiced Simba in the Tamil version of the 1994 animated original. Another notable collaboration brought Amitabh Bachchan, Parineeti Chopra and Gulshan Grover together as the BFG, Sophie and the Fleshlumpeater in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The BFG’ (2016) – an impressive dubbing lineup, although the film itself was not a box-office blockbuster.