How Stammering As A Child And Getting Into Fights Made Actor Sharad Kelkar Relate To Wolverine (Exclusive)

Bollywood actor Sharad Kelkar has lent his voice to the famous comic character Wolverine for Marvel's Wastelanders, a Hindi Audible original series. In an interview with The Free Press Journal, the actor opens up about what it was like to become Wolverine, how he prepared for the role, and the fun and challenges of voice acting. He also talks about the rise of audio series in India and why he thinks they are here to stay. Excerpts:

Q. How did you feel about voicing Wolverine?
A. When your favourite character is Wolverine, and you get to play him through your voice, it’s just a pleasure. Since it’s an audio series, I had the liberty to portray Wolverine as I felt, shaping his character in my own way. Since this story is set 30 years in the future, his physicality, voice, strengths, and weaknesses have evolved. I had to create a new version of him, which made it a fantastic experience for me.

Q. You’ve always been seen on the big screen, but this is a completely different medium. What was the biggest challenge in voicing such an iconic character?
A. Whenever you do an audio series or a podcast—especially for a persona like Wolverine—you have to remember that people already know him well. He’s a wild, action-packed, invincible character with immense strength and regeneration powers. But beneath that, he carries a lot of pain, sorrow, and the burden of his past. Portraying all of this inside a studio is quite challenging. If you had seen me while dubbing, you’d find it funny because performing action sequences in a confined space is difficult. We had to experiment a lot with his voice because he’s older in this story. We tried different textures and modulations, keeping in mind what would most resonate with the listeners, and it took time to find the right one. Once we achieved that, the next challenge was to maintain the same texture while expressing emotions. It was a long process but was a great learning experience as well. 

Q. You’ve worked in films, OTT, and now voice acting. How is voice acting different from your on-screen roles? Did it excite you more?
A. I have a ₹2000 crore film under my belt that features just my voice! (laughs) But seriously, voice acting is a fascinating medium for an actor. It expands your imagination and enhances your ability and technique to create a character without visual references. You only have your voice to transport the audience into that world, which is a huge challenge yet rewarding. I believe every actor should do at least one audio series in their career. It’s an eye-opener to see how much you can achieve using only your voice.

Q. Is Wolverine your favourite Marvel character? What do you think makes him so beloved?
A. Absolutely! He’s raw, ruthless, and doesn’t hide anything. That’s what makes him such an interesting character. In many ways, I relate to him. As a child, I used to stammer, which made arguing difficult because people would mock me. Instead, I would get into fights. I remember my mother getting complaints about me, and I would tell her, “I can’t speak, so I have to hit!” (laughs) That’s why I connect with Wolverine on a personal level—he expresses himself through action rather than words. Also, much like Wolverine, I also wish I had claws (laughs).

Q. How do you feel about the rise of audio series in India? What’s your take on this growing trend?
A. It was bound to happen. In today’s world, we’re constantly on the move—we don’t even have time for ourselves. We’re always running toward something, balancing multiple responsibilities. But we still need some form of relief, an escape from reality, even while we’re doing other things. That’s where audio series and podcasts come in. You can listen while traveling, working, cooking, or just relaxing. They allow you to escape into a different world without having to pause your daily routine – a great way to de-stress as well. That’s why this industry is growing, and I’m sure it will continue to expand in the coming years.