Originally Dubbed in Tamil - III

Yes the dynamics of dubbing was changed in the last 10 years. Initially there was an influx of sleazy Malayalam films generically called Shakeela films. When they were made in Malayalam it gave jitters even to the super stars forcing them find ways to stop such films when their own films were at stake. And they successfully managed to drive those films out of Kerala to find a haven in Tamil Nadu.

Even in metros like Chennai provocative titles like Thirunelveli Pennkutty, Akilavin Asai, Chinna Chinna Thappukal, Ilamai Roja. Icecream Penne, Yamini lured the lower class audience away from Tamil films for some time. Shakeela who started off as a comedienne in Tamil pairing opposite Goundamani and Senthil returned as a sleaze actress and became a household name. Then government regulations and raids put an end to them.

When Hollywood was looking ways to generate more business out of India they found dubbing to be the best way. The 1997 action film Face/Off directed by John Woo, starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage was the first one to try simultaneous English, Hindi and Tamil versions. The dubbed versions did excellent business and it became a regular for any Hollywood movie released in India. Now dubbed versions generate more revenue in India. For example Spider-Man 3 did a business of more than Rs 66 crores and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End collected Rs 24 crores.

All the major films like King Kong, Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, Mummy Returns, Mission Impossible and the likes enjoyed patronage just like a Tamil film in Tamil Nadu. Dubbed versions of Avatar, 2012 are hits matching a super star film.

The corporate efforts of the Hollywood Studios have made Tamil Nadu a successful hub for various regional films. And that has also brought its slush. If B- grade Malayalam films found it easy to make money in Tamil then, now Hindi films are following the track. In effect even some good Hindi films are branded sleaze in Tamil.

Sushmita Sen film ‘Chingaari’ which means ‘Spark’ released in 2006 was dubbed with a seedy title ‘Peyar Sandhya, Thozhil Dasi’ in 2009. ‘Chingaari’ is a tale of rebellion against the tyranny of a powerful temple priest played by Mithun Chakraborty. It sends a message that not even "holy men" are exempt from the corruption of power. But it was released as a B-grade sex movie in Tamil.

A Tabu film ‘Hawa’ was dubbed in Tamil as ‘Rajaleelai’ and it raked in money like anything with massive publicity. The publicity gimmick of ‘Rajaleelai’ is bringing a Manisha Koirala film as ‘Kettaval’. You’ll know by the name how it will be promoted.

Tamil dubbed movies are popular not only in theatres but also on television channels. You must be very familiar with the phrase ‘Super Hit Hollywood Kondattam’ now. Hollywood films like Stuart Little, Titanic, Jumanji, The Mummy Returns, Babe are huge hits on television also.

With the Tamil film industry opening up more to business in whatever way the dubbing market is here to stay. RGV’s Phoonk 2 as Bommai 2 and Vivek Oberoi’s Prince as Prince were released in Tamil along with all India release. Now a days Hindi producers treat Tamil as additional revenue however small it is. Films like Krish and Dhoom made this belief stronger. But there is also something like Swades which wasn’t lucky when called Desam in Tamil.

There are many waiting to occupy the theatres. As now stars are becoming increasingly multilingual any one star is enough for the producer to dub his film in Tamil. We see that often in Telugu. Any Ileana, Nayantara, Bhavana etc. film is all likely to be dubbed in Tamil. Any Mammootty or Nagarjuna film is likely to be dubbed in Tamil. Soon Sharukh Khan and Salman Khan may also become regulars in Tamil cinema.

But as we said earlier we did have some classics out of dubbing. We don’t mind having more of the kind.

Wishing more Salangai Olis and Avtaars to come and decorate our theatres.