Actress Pooja Hegde is set to surprise audiences with a new milestone in her career—dubbing in her own voice for her character in director Karthik Subbaraj’s highly anticipated action film, Retro. Starring Suriya in the lead role, the film has already created a buzz among fans, and this latest update has only added to the excitement.
The film, produced by Stone Bench Films in collaboration with Suriya’s 2D Entertainment, has been building anticipation through a series of comic strips featuring behind-the-scenes moments. On Monday, the production house released its fifth comic strip titled “EPI005: Vaazhga Tamizh! Challenge Accepted! Pooja Hegde Dubs for Herself” on its X (formerly Twitter) timeline, revealing the actress’s dedication to perfecting her Tamil dialogue delivery.
The journey of casting Pooja Hegde for Retro was not a straightforward one. According to the production house, several names were considered for the female lead, but it was Pooja who ultimately stood out.
“When director Karthik Subbaraj was searching for a heroine, multiple names were suggested. But when Pandiyaa saw Pooja Hegde, he immediately confirmed, ‘This is the girl we’ve been looking for!’ The only concern was whether she could deliver dialogues fluently in Tamil. But Pooja, known for taking on challenges since childhood, confidently assured the team that she would overcome this hurdle as well,” the production team revealed.
Once finalised for the role, Pooja underwent intense Tamil language training to perfect her dialogue delivery. Her dedication was evident, as she managed to flawlessly deliver even lengthy monologues, impressing the entire team.
While Pooja Hegde has been part of several South Indian films, Retro marks a significant first in her career—dubbing in her own voice for a regional film.
“After an impressive look test, she began her daily Tamil training and surprised everyone by delivering even lengthy monologue sequences flawlessly. There were plenty of fun moments on set, with the team challenging her with tougher Tamil words,” the production house shared.
This announcement has thrilled her fans, who are eager to witness her authentic and natural performance on the big screen.
Apart from Suriya and Pooja Hegde, Retro boasts a powerful ensemble cast, including Malayalam actors Joju George and Jayaram, as well as Tamil actor Karunakaran. The film promises a thrilling cinematic experience, packed with high-octane action sequences choreographed by stunt master Kecha Khamphakdee.
With Karthik Subbaraj’s signature storytelling, powerful performances, and stunning visuals, Retro is shaping up to be a must-watch action spectacle. The film is set for a grand theatrical release on May 1, 2025.
