For years, audiences have heard Shanoor Mirza's voice without always knowing the face behind it. From lending his voice to Hollywood icons like Super Mario and Superman to dubbing leading South Indian stars such as Thalapathy Vijay for Hindi audiences, Mirza has built an impressive career in voice acting. At the Mumbai screening of Minions and Monsters, the veteran dubbing artist spoke about voicing the film's main antagonist, the joy of working on the animated feature, and how the recognition for voice artists has finally begun to catch up with their contribution.
In Minions and Monsters, Mirza voices Dot, a character he describes as far more layered than a typical villain. Talking about it, he said, “My character in this is very interesting. He considers himself a villain, but he's actually a very soft, lovable guy who has come to take over Earth. His name is Dot. 'I have arrived to conquer Earth.”
While the character may have grand plans, recording the Hindi version was anything but serious. Mirza recalled that the atmosphere inside the dubbing studio was filled with laughter, making it one of his most enjoyable projects. "It was absolutely amazing; while we were dubbing, we couldn't stop laughing. Whenever a scene came up, we enjoyed it so much. We were laughing so hard that sometimes we'd forget our lines or need a retake. It was so enjoyable and interesting."
Having worked extensively across both international and Indian cinema, Mirza says animation has always remained close to his heart. Speaking about his diverse body of work, he explained: "Before this, I dubbed for Mario—that's my voice—and I've also voiced Superman. So, I've done all that; I do South Indian movies too, but I keep doing these kinds of projects as well."
Asked what makes his performances resonate so strongly with children, Mirza was quick to dismiss the idea of any secret formula, insisting that authenticity and observation are what matter most. "There's no real magic involved. Over the years, I've simply learned how to connect with a character's expressions, their eyes, and the way they convey emotion—whether it's animation or live-action. I try to capture the feel of the original English version and express it in the same way. It took some practice and hard work, and of course, there are the directors involved; it's all teamwork that results in a great final product."
Mirza also reflected on the differences between dubbing Hollywood productions and South Indian films, particularly after years of voicing Thalapathy Vijay in Hindi. "Yes, there's a huge difference. Indian acting tends to be a bit louder and more expressive compared to the acting style of Hollywood actors. They are really establishing themselves, and I am happy that Thalapathy is, in a way, a superhero for us here in India. I feel proud and blessed to have the opportunity to dub for such characters."
Perhaps the most heartfelt part of the conversation came when Mirza spoke about the growing appreciation for voice artists in India. With the rise of pan-India cinema, dubbed content and international releases, he believes audiences are finally beginning to recognise the people behind the voices. "People didn't pay much attention to it before, but awareness has grown significantly now. It's a good thing that we are getting recognition; it was long overdue. For years, no one really knew who we were or what we did. Now, we receive a lot of love, which is wonderful. It's a welcome change that motivates us to do even better work—to create content that you enjoy, that doesn't feel cringey, that feels relatable, and that draws audiences into the theaters."
As Minions and Monsters gears up to entertain audiences with its colourful characters and laugh-out-loud moments, Shanoor Mirza's performance as Dot promises to be one of the highlights of the Hindi version. And for the actor himself, the film is another reminder that while voice artists may not always appear on screen, their work continues to shape how millions of viewers experience stories across languages.