Sharad Kelkar says, "any actor who refuses such an opportunity is missing out" on voicing for Wolverine

In the world of superheroes, few characters are as iconic and beloved as Wolverine. Known for his gruff personality, emotional depth, and unwavering strength, Wolverine has been portrayed in various mediums, from comics to films. In this exclusive interview, Sharad Kelkar discusses his experience bringing the legendary mutant to life in Marvel's Wastelanders,' a Hindi Audible original series, the challenges of voice acting, and his upcoming projects.

Q: Wolverine is a character with a very distinct personality—strong, wild, yet deeply layered. What aspects of him did you find most exciting or challenging to portray?

A: First of all, we all recognize Wolverine as a strong and wild character. However, in this particular series and the one before it, for Marvel's Wastelanders,' a Hindi Audible original series, we focused on his emotional side. In this story, Wolverine is dealing with a deep sense of sorrow, he believes he is responsible for his friend’s death. That emotional journey was the key factor for me while voicing this character. It was a different perspective of Wolverine, moving away from the angry, invincible warrior to a more broken, vulnerable version. The entire team worked hard to bring that depth to life.

Q: How did you prepare for this role? Did you revisit old comics or past portrayals for reference?

A: Absolutely. I got my hands on some old comics because they are the best reference material you can find. Additionally, there are plenty of videos and articles on YouTube discussing Wolverine’s evolution in comics. As an actor, you have to use your imagination, but because Wolverine is such a well-written character, I didn’t have to work too hard to understand his essence. When dubbing for an audio series, every description is meticulously written, including action sequences, every punch, every kick is detailed. That level of detail in the script really helps in bringing the character to life.

Q: Wolverine is an incredibly popular character. Did you feel any pressure stepping into the role?

A: No pressure at all! If Wolverine is your favorite character, you’re not going to do him an injustice. It’s actually the opposite you want to give your best because it’s a dream role. Whether it’s playing him on screen or voicing him, you want to give 100%. It was definitely challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.

Q: You’ve done a lot of voice work before. What was your experience like working on this audio project? Were there any specific challenges or opportunities?

A: For an actor, working on an audio project like this is an incredible opportunity. When you have to rely purely on your imagination, the experience becomes even more fulfilling. If everything is visually laid out for you, the work becomes easier, but the learning is less. With audio, you’re sitting in a studio imagining a futuristic world, how the character looks, moves, fights. It’s all in your head. That’s a challenge, but also a thrill. Any actor who refuses such an opportunity is missing out. I’m grateful to Audible for choosing me to voice Wolverine. It’s truly a dream come true to bring my own style to such an iconic character.

Q: Lastly, can you share any details about your upcoming projects?

A: I can’t reveal too much, but there is one big series that we recently finished, set to release at the end of the year. Apart from that, I have two films coming out, one of which is a very interesting single-character film. Both films will be released in the second and third quarters of the year. I’m also starting work on a few new projects after the financial year ends. Exciting times ahead!

From diving deep into Wolverine’s emotional turmoil to bringing his own unique voice to the character, Sharad Kelkar has embraced this role with passion and dedication. With multiple projects in the pipeline, fans can expect to see (and hear) more of his work soon.