The Mumbai premiere of Minions and Monsters was packed with excitement as the Hindi voice cast gathered to watch the film with audiences for the very first time. Among them was acclaimed voice actor Adityaraj Sharma, who lends his voice to Max, a key character in the Hindi version of the animated adventure. Speaking exclusively at the premiere, Sharma reflected on the joy of being part of the beloved franchise, the art of voice acting, and why animation today is no longer just children's entertainment.
Expressing his excitement before watching the complete film, Sharma said the response to the franchise over the years gave him confidence that audiences would embrace the latest installment as well. "Everyone in India is very excited too. We've dubbed it into Hindi. We've seen bits and pieces and were really excited by what we saw. Now, we've come to the theater for the premiere to watch the whole thing together. Let's see how it turned out. I'm sure people will enjoy it—just as they enjoyed all the previous parts, this one will receive just as much love" said Adtiyaraj.
Without revealing too much about the story, the actor teased his role in the film while encouraging audiences to experience the surprises themselves. "My character is Max; he's the director who brings all the Minions on board. I won't reveal too much more—you should all go watch the movie; it's very entertaining and full of twists and turns."
Having dubbed for several international productions, Sharma believes Minions and Monsters has a unique charm that makes it enjoyable for viewers of all ages. "To be honest, Minions isn't just for kids; even adolescents or older people would enjoy it because they have their own unique, mimicked language—one that you understand even without literally understanding the words. It's very cute. And with the monster angle introduced in this movie—I won't reveal too much—it's packed with every element possible in cinema."
While the final performance may appear effortless on screen, Sharma explained that voice acting comes with its own set of technical demands. "Not exactly, but yes, there were plenty of challenges for an artist. You had to navigate ups and downs, you know? So that was a challenge, but there's fun in that challenge too."
Opening up about the dubbing process, Sharma revealed that there is no secret formula before stepping into the recording booth. Instead, it is a collaborative process that evolves during the session.
"There isn't any specific 'prep' as such, but yes, auditions happen first. Many artists are called in. They see which artist can suit and match the actual voice, and how well they can modulate their range—going up and down. So, that's basically it. There aren't really any props involved as such. It depends on how the script is written—whether changes need to be made. When you come on board—the writer has already written the script, of course—but while performing, you might get ten different ideas. You have the dubbing director, the director, sound engineers, the team, and the artist themselves all present. So, during the session, you get to explore various different variations."
The actor also spoke about the growing appreciation for voice artists in India, something he says has been made possible through social media and the increasing popularity of animated and dubbed content.
"Yes, I am truly very lucky that voice talent is receiving so much recognition now—thanks to social media and the great projects coming out, like animation... And not just animation, but live-action movies too. Voice actors are getting a great platform through these, and I'm happy about it. I feel lucky."
Sharma, who is also widely known for voicing Hiranyakashipu in Mahavatar Narsimha, reflected on how different the two projects were from a performance perspective.
"Regarding Narasimha, the language was quite distinct. Narasimha featured the kind of Hindi that was typical for that era—it was heavy, rich Hindi with a strong, earthy, desi feel. Unlike Minions. Minions is all about—that English humor... well, not British, but American humor; it's playful and cheerful. It's a story with a moral lesson where children learn something. Kids enjoyed that one, and I'm sure they'll enjoy this one too. The way they enjoy each is different."
Asked whether audiences can expect him to return for another Mahavatar film, Sharma remained hopeful but cautious. He said, "Yes, yes. There's no news from the director or production house yet. So, if it happens, we'll see."
With his work spanning mythology, live-action dubbing and now one of the world's biggest animated franchises, Adityaraj Sharma continues to establish himself as one of the most versatile voices in the Hindi dubbing industry. As Minions and Monsters arrives for audiences, Sharma is confident that the film's humour, heart and family-friendly entertainment will once again strike a chord with viewers of every age.