Kareena Kapoor Khan has surely come a long way since her debut film Refugee in 2000. With a career spanning over two decades, Kareena Kapoor impressed critics and cine-buffs alike with her versatility. From playing a chirpy and vivacious Geet in Jab We Met to essaying a complex and mysterious character in Talaash, the actress’s filmography is not only diverse in terms of genres but also provides a coherent testement to her incredible acting range. While the actress ventured into the OTT space with Jaane Jaan, Kareena Kapoor added another feather to her cap when she lent her voice for Black Widow.
During an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared her experience working on the Audible series, being the voice of Helen Black/Black Widow, working with Masaba Gupta, her upcoming films Singham Again and ‘The Buckingham Murders’ and more.
Here are the excerpts:
How does it feel voicing an iconic Marvel character like Black Widow/Helen Black? What prompted you to take up this audio role?
Voicing an iconic character like Black Widow was an incredible experience. It’s a chance to reimagine the characters in a way that engages the audience’s imagination on a whole new level. The storytelling and the opportunity to engage listeners through the sheer power of voice, courtesy of Audible, were the major draw.
What are some of the qualities you like about Black Widow? And what were some of your own quirks that you used to give it that extra edge?
Black Widow’s qualities of strength, intelligence, and emotional depth make her an intriguing, and multifaceted character I would say. We tried to bring out these traits through the nuances of my voice, adding a layer of depth that would resonate with listeners in this audio format. We also experimented, adding layers to Black Widow’s persona that may surprise even long-time fans.
Marvel Studios are known for producing path-breaking visual extravaganzas with the films in their roster. However, for an audio podcast, all those visual cues are absent and one has to purely rely on the power of their voice to form that conduit with the listeners. How challenging was that aspect for you as an actor?
In the audio storytelling medium, we lose those visual elements, and it falls back solely on the strength of our voices to connect with the audience. It’s quite a challenge as an actor because you have to create a vivid world, characters, and emotions using only your voice. This aspect pushes the boundaries of creativity and relies on the audience’s imagination to paint the scenes we narrate/express to them. I accepted this challenge wholeheartedly. I believe it adds a new dimension to the storytelling experience, allowing listeners to engage in a different yet equally immersive way.
What are some other Marvel characters that you would like to voice someday? Also, which are your favourite Marvel films?
I have enjoyed all Marvel films and there is something in all characters that attracts me as an actor to voice it someday. For now, I am happy being the voice of Black Widow.
For this, you teamed up with Masaba Gupta, which according to me is a perfect combo. Tell us something about your camaraderie with Masaba Gupta and how was the entire experience working with her on this podcast series?
Working with Masaba Gupta on this Audible project was an absolute delight and brought perfect synergy. She is not only a talented designer but also a creative force in her own right. It was a great collaboration where we both brought our individual strengths to the project, bringing you a podcast series that we’re both proud of.
What is it about this audio storytelling medium that you find the most fascinating? In what way do you see it growing here in India in the coming times? And how was your experience working with Audible?
This medium fascinated me because it provides a personal, immersive experience for the listeners. I believe the medium will grow in India as more audiences are making a shift to podcasts and audio content. Helen Black, the character I portray, is a captivating blend of charisma and power. She’s a highly skilled assassin, challenging the dominance of supervillains. It’s an exciting experience to breathe life into such a dynamic protagonist. Working with Audible was fantastic; they have brought innovation to the way stories are told; their commitment to pushing storytelling boundaries and creating a rich, audio-centric experience was both inspiring and fulfilling. It’s great to be contributing to the immersive vision crafted by them.
If you could do a podcast series based on a character that you have already played for example Geet from Jab We Met or Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, but with a different storyline, would you be up for that? If yes, which are some of those characters that can bloom even further on an audio format?
These characters are iconic, I feel they should not have a reboot.
All the reviews that have come out for The Buckingham Murders are nothing short of stellar. For all those who are eagerly waiting to watch the film, what should they be looking forward to? And how did you tackle a character like that?
I am glad that people have enjoyed the film and my performance. I have attempted something new with this film – it is a gut-wrenching plot and very intense character. I was really excited and nervous to play this character .
You’ll be part of Singham Again. There is a lot of buzz about the film as well as your character. What do you have in store for your fans? And how’s it like to be a part of Rohit Shetty cop-universe?
The audience will see a more fierce Avni. ???? Her character has a new turn. I have worked with Rohit on three blockbusters before, this is my fourth, all I can say is I’m really excited to be working with the team again.
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