Rani Mukerji has revealed that her voice was dubbed in the 1998 movie, Ghulam, because makers thought it is unusual from what a woman normally sounds like.
Speaking to Galatta India, she said, “It wasn’t a very normal-sounding voice. It’s different. But at that time, they were taking this big bet on a newcomer with Aamir Khan, who was already established.”
“That’s what director Vikram Bhatt explained. They were just going with the chatter that was happening in edit rooms: ‘This girl has a different voice,’ ” the actress expanded.
She had debuted with Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat in 1996, and Ghulam was her second movie in line, co-starring Aamir.
While he had already made a big name with various movies, Rani was a mere fresher who the producers were gambling with, but they weren’t sure whether her voice would work for the film.
It however wasn’t a big deal back then because many other actors, specifically those from the South, were voiced over.
“Especially Sridevi ji,” the actress recalled, “I remember Aamir telling me, ‘Your favourite actress is Sridevi. Her voice was dubbed in so many films. It doesn’t matter. We have to do what’s best for our film.’ ’’
Rani’s third movie was the blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which turned her into a prominent figure overnight.
Director Karan Johar had retained her original voice for the production because he “loved it.”
Interestingly, the celebrity went on to sign Dil Bole Hadippa! in 2009, where even when she’s pretending to be a man for a better part of the picture, she speaks using her natural vocal chords instead of being dubbed over by a male counterpart.
