Hindi Version of 'Laalo' Receives Warm Response for Authentic Feel
The Hindi adaptation of the Gujarati film 'Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate' is generating significant buzz among audiences. Viewers consistently praise the natural, grounded quality of the Hindi version. Many people feel the film retains its original soul despite the language change.
Director Opens Up About the Dubbing Journey
In a recent promotional interview with India Forums, director Karan Joshi shared candid details about the film's dubbing process. He explained the team's crucial decision to use their own voices instead of hiring professional studio artists. Joshi emphasized that dubbing plays a vital role when a regionally rooted story reaches a wider, pan-Indian audience.
The initial plan involved professional voice artists. The actor portraying 'Laalo' himself acknowledged that the first Hindi dub was technically well-executed. Lead actress Reeva confirmed this, stating, "They actually got it dubbed with proper voice-over artists, and they did a very good job."
During promotional tours in Gujarat, producer Ankit Bhai showed the team this professionally dubbed version. "No doubt, it was looking very good," Joshi admitted. However, after countless viewings of the original Gujarati cut, the team sensed something was amiss. This feeling sparked a pivotal question: why not use their own voices?
A Shift in Strategy: Embracing Original Voices
Karan Joshi detailed how their plan evolved. "Ankit Bhai said, 'Listen, we are travelling, and this is a very time-consuming and serious job,'" he recalled. Initially, Joshi agreed to abandon the idea. But Ankit Bhai soon proposed a compromise: "Let's do one thing. You dub all three characters in your own voice."
The team dedicated several days to recording a new Hindi dub with their original voices. Early reactions from test audiences were mixed. "It was good, but it wasn't connecting," Joshi noted, highlighting the initial disconnect.
The Breakthrough: Keeping the Gujarati Soul in Hindi
The real transformation came from a simple, powerful insight. Karan Joshi explained, "If someone watches the film and comes to Junagadh and sits in a rickshaw, he's not speaking that [polished] language. He's speaking Laalo's language."
He spoke passionately about "Baba Hindi"—the authentic, accented Hindi spoken by real people. "That is not a bad thing. That is a proud thing," he asserted. This realization led the team to intentionally preserve the Gujarati inflection and cadence within the Hindi dialogue.
This decision proved to be the masterstroke. "After the dubbing, people saw it and everyone said, 'This is better,'" Joshi revealed. The authenticity resonated deeply, making the characters feel more genuine and relatable.
The Hindi release of 'Laalo' entered a competitive cinematic landscape, facing off against other notable films like 'Dhurandhar' and 'The Raja Saab'. Its unique dubbing approach has become a key point of discussion and appreciation.
