Guess what’s common between Jyothika, Simran, Laila and Sneha? One voice. That of Savitha Radhakrishnan’s, the latest sensation in Bollywood, lending voice to the numero uno actresses of the Tamil and Telugu showville. The MBA from Annamalai University has shot into fame as a dubbing artiste when ace director Shankar selected her to dub for Aishwarya Rai in Jeans. And Kushi took her to the celebrity status. Since then she has become a permanent voice for Jyothika on screen. The petite cherubic Savitha even got acting offers, which she spurned.

"I want to be the No. 1 in any area I choose. In this field I have the chances, but not as an actress, as I know I have my limitations" says she. Excerpts from an interview:

What was it that interested you about this field?
My grandmother Padmavathy was a Carnatic singer and used to lend her voice for Telugu films dubbed into Tamil. She used to dub mostly for Anjali Devi. On a few occasions, I accompanied her. During the dubbing of Annai Oru Aalayam, they needed a child for dubbing. I was hardly six or seven then. I did the job. Later, writer Devanarayanan made me dub again for a child artiste for the Tamil version of the Telugu film, Sravanthi. I also dubbed for Baby Sujitha (today a busy TV star) in Mandira Punnagai. So that’s how the interest took deep roots in me.

Priyam was your first assignment for a heroine. How did Jeans happen?
While I was studying for B.A. Corporate, I got the offer to dub for debutant Manthra (Rasi in Telugu) for Priyam. After completing my graduation, I went to Annamalai University to do my M.B.A. in Advertising. When I came to know that director Shankar was on the look out for a suitable voice to dub the Tamil dialogue for Aishwarya Rai, I went for a test. There were other aspirants too. Shankar selected me.

After the film’s release, I became a known name in the industry. Later, producer A.M. Rathnam asked me to dub for its Telugu version too, my first assignment in Telugu.

So, this gave you the impetus to take up dubbing as a profession.
Yes. After completing my M.B.A., I was caught in two minds. Whether to go for a job in advertising or to enter the dubbing field. I always wanted to be a creative person. In advertising, I was offered a job in the client services division, where there is no scope for creativity. So I opted for the dubbing field, where there is more scope to creativity I can render voice to different characters on screen, creating an iota of realism. I took up Vali. It became a big hit and now the audience know me.

What are the qualities required for a dubbing artiste?
Observation power, one should be quick at grasping. Moreover, one must be able to go for spot improvisation. For example, in the recently released 12B, there is a scene where the hero opens the car door for the heroine. There was no dialogue there. But during the dubbing while the heroine was getting into the car, I murmured in Tamil, ‘I know you guys do it’. It clicked with the audience.

In that film, you have dubbed for both Jyothika and Simran. How did you manage to bring in the difference?
There are certain scenes in 12B where the two heroines come together. Every actress has her own style and accent. On my part, the voice is one, but I imitate their style. For instance, Jyothika would talk very fast and suddenly she would cut her word. Simran is in contrast. She is very subtle and drags her dialogue sometimes. I follow their style with my voice. I have to understand their body language as well. It was a memorable experience doing the job for both in one film.

And you have dubbed for Vasundhara Das too?
For Hey Ram, Vasundhara herself did the job. My voice was used for her in the Ajith-starrer, Citizen. She has a nasal tone with a Brahminical accent. At that time I was suffering with cold. I did not take any medicines, I finished the job in four days. It clicked. But then I had to suffer with severe cold, later (smile).

Tell us about your foray into Telugu films?
I have dubbed for Simran in Dr. D. Rama Naidu’s Kalisundam... Raa, a big hit. And also for other Venkatesh-starrers in which Simran played the lead Premathoraa and Nuvvu Naaku Nachchav, besides the blockbuster, Narasimha Naidu, where she played a traditional girl. In this film, she has a lengthy dialogue, which I could dub in one take. I also dubbed for Richa Pallod in Nuvve Kaavali, the biggest hit of last year and in Chirujallu.

And then for Jyothika’s films dubbed in Telugu, besides for Rekha in Anandam. And in Kannada, I have dubbed for My Dear Sowmya.

We hear you have got offers to don the grease paint.
Yes, there are offers. But my mental makeup does not suit the situation. So I haven’t given a thought to it. Moreover to be an actress, one has to go in for a lot of compromises, which I can’t. For me dubbing is the best suited job. I know I can reach the top position here. I want to be the best in any job I take up. I don’t think I have the chance as an actress to reach the coveted spot with my uncompromising attitude. So why try it, when I am happy here.

You are learning dance and music too?
I don’t go for excercises. Learning jazz is a kind of shaping up the body. Keeping it fit. I am learning Carnatic vocal. I have the ambition of turning a singer, one day. But I am going slow and steady. You know, learning jazz helped me understand the body language of Laila, herself a ballet dancer well and I could dub for her effortlessly. I am also doing the job now for Rinkie Khanna in Majnu.

On one side, you are busy with film assignments and on the other with commercials for Rajeev Menon and P.C. Sriram and the likes. Where do you find the time to dub for Nina in the tele serial, Chitti?
Due to date hassels Nina faced, I had to dub for her. It clicked and she and the director insisted that I do the job. Moreover I am doing this for my mom too. She likes the serial and my voice for Nina so much that she asked me to continue the job, however busy I am. That’s it.

As far as i have known, Savitha is the only dubbing artiste who has rendered voice for 2 different actresses in the same movie (12B). The amazing thing is that, there are a few scenes in the movie that feats. Jyothika and Simran together, and with dialogues to both. Its a feast to the ears to enjoy the variation she uses to differentiate the speech style of Jyothika and Simran.

LONG LIVE SAVITHA! LONG LAST HER SERVICES TO THE DUBBING INDUSTRY