Voice-over artist and anchor Sachiin Kumbhaar has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry with his soulful voice. He recently sat down exclusively with SpotboyE to open up about his journey and how he became one of the most sought-after voices. He also shared tips for aspiring voice-over artists.
Please tell us about how your journey as a voice-over artist started.
When I moved from Dubai to India in 2011-2012, I wanted to explore acting, voicing and anchoring as well. Voicing is something that I used to do as a radio jockey in a radio station in Dubai. When I moved back to India, it was not easy. There was no modulation in my voice. I did voicing for some travel show and they told me directly there was no modulation and it was one monotone voice in which I spoke. What I did as a radio jockey in Dubai didn't work as a voiceover artiste. It's a different ballgame altogether. As far as my first voiceover work is concerned, I googled this production house and I met someone called Chintan. He said he will pay me Rs 1500. Back then, I was staying at Wadala and I took a cab. Literally, spent the whole amount on just that but I was like I had to let him and others see my work. That's how I started and my journey in voicing began. Then, I also went to Zee TV for a Marathi voice over and then they said that I am very 'anglacized'. So at a career point of time when I had a couple of years of experience in Dubai, I did few classes with a Marathi school teacher at a coffee shop and I learnt Marathi again.
Who was your biggest inspiration, when embarking on this career path?
There's no one such individual as such but there are many individuals like Chetan Shashital, Ninad Kamat. Chetan Shashital is someone who realized later that he has a good voice and he trained himself at a later age in his life. He turned out to become one of the most renowned and admired voice-over artistes. Also, there's Ninad Kamat. He focuses primarily on voiceovers and it just reinstates your belief that there's a longer shelf life in these careers.
Apart from being a voice-over artist, you have also been an anchor, how did you get that opportunity?
God has been kind. When I moved back to India, I focused on everything like voicing, anchoring, and acting. Voicing and anchoring took off. It started with one of the first events. I remember one of the first opportunities was for Times Of India when they gave me the opportunity to host 'Fresh Face' in colleges. I used to host college auditions and then eventually the finale. TOI is a big brand. That's how opportunities unlocked one after the other and eventually even Miss India happened. That's how the growth happened. Then in 2014-2015, Star Sports happened to be with Hockey India League and Star Sports Pro Kabaddi for about 9 seasons. For me, the journey panned out to be.
Throughout your entire career, what has stuck out to you the most?
To me, it is that each and everyone is indispensable and everyone needs to keep learning and evolving. You can idolize people but at the end of the day, you have to be yourself and have your own identity. You need to be honest to your craft and everything comes later. Like any other job, you put in your hard work and efforts. Unlike bosses in jobs, here, you need to keep evolving for yourself and be honest to your craft.
A challenging experience you would like to share?
Many of the events have been challenging experiences. If I talk about the last one, there are ministers coming in, last moment changes etc. As an anchor, you need to keep your calm and composure as you are a disaster manager. One has to ensure that whatever little things happen behind the screen, nothing can be seen on your face. You are the storyteller. So for me, every event is a challenging experience. Just that, we showcase it as if it is a cakewalk. That's a part of our job and we need to deliver.
How are you approached for voicing promos or hosting events and shows?
It's a cycle and it's also 'word of mouth'. If I talk about the initial phase, it was very difficult. I have made showreels, I have gone to studios, voiced different ads, ivrs and I have sent all that to people. One has to do in the initial phase. This is for those starting out that you need to do your own work, you need to be prepared for the market. However, since I have been in the business for long, there are calls that come in. Now, they don't even have to brief you about the feel of TV channels, promos that I do. They just send the script and you know what is the sound and approach you need to give. Also in hosting, clients know your genre so they will approach you accordingly.
How do you prep yourself, before recording for the videos and promos or anchoring for shows and events?
Homework is of utmost importance. Many of the shows, we get a script. However, if you don't own the script or you don't personalize it, it will be difficult for last moment spontaneous integrations since that is also important. According to me, homework is key to anything and everything. As far as recording for video promos, you need to understand the requirement and what you are voicing for. Till the time you realise that, you won't be able to match their expectations. So perhaps get in call with the Producer and understand the look, feel and pace of things. These are minute details but everytime, get into the final state to make your craft better.
What is the difference between voicing over corporate advertisements and promos of television serials/reality shows?
Oh both of them are very different. Corporate avs generally need a formal approach, sometimes however, they could be very aspirational or motivating where a higher tempo pitch is required. So it is mostly information based. However, TV promos are always information based but they are also fun. So, there's lot of scope of playing with your voice and entertainment. Because sometimes, you are doing the characters and sometimes you are doing something else. But yes, TV promos, every show is a different show. So, you need to voice the show more as per the requirement and theme of the show. For corporates, it's very formal but the pitch is something you need to work on. High projection, energy or a subtle informative. You can play a lot on TV promos is what I feel.
What was your most-favourite experience?
My favourite experience is when people tell me about my baritone voice and in return I say that I owe it to my father. I tell them that if they hear my voice, it is even bassier than me. So, that's my most favourite experience of my lifetime. Most of the shows that happens so I am always more than happy to give that credit to my dad and mom as well.
Any special tips for aspiring artists?
Do your homework and be yourself. Try and be conversational when it comes to anchoring and try to understand the requirement. Don't just have a graph when you want to jump on the top. Once you get there, you will be bored and you will feel like what's next? So, you rather have a slow graph and growth that will help you sustain yourself and help you make your target higher and higher which will eventually help you push better. So, slowly and steady growth is always better than that one high and fast jump.
Image Source: Instagram