- Chethana Ketagoda on two decades of giving characters a Sinhala voice
Voice is one of the most versatile tools in performance. To convey anger, tenderness, comedy, or fear without physical presence requires precision, empathy, and discipline. Voice acting sits at the intersection of art and technique, demanding that performers dissolve their own identity to embody another.
In dubbing especially, the challenge deepens: artists must match the rhythm, emotion, and nuance of on-screen characters while making them feel authentic in a new language. It is a craft that has shaped generations of audiences, yet one that often goes unrecognised, making its preservation vital for the future of storytelling.
Chethana Ketagoda is a name that resonates with Sri Lankan audiences, whether or not they realise it. For nearly two decades, she has been the voice behind some of the most beloved characters in international soap operas, dramas, and cartoons dubbed into Sinhala.
With nearly two whole decades of experience in the field, Chethana is one of the most popular dubbing artists in the country. But she is more than just a voice; she is also an actress, a singer, an investor, an agriculturalist, a digital content creator, and an Attorney-at-Law.
Reflecting on her journey, she was quick to brush aside the idea of being considered a veteran. “I still feel I have a long way to go,” she laughed. “I didn’t set out to become a dubbing artist, it found me.”
‘Dubbing is my first love’
Growing up, Chethana was expressive and loud, always performing at home. Her parents recognised her natural talent and her mother approached Mercy Edirisinghe, one of the pioneers of Sri Lanka’s dubbing industry. “When I was about 10 or 11, back in 2003, my mother quietly took me to Rupavahini. I didn’t even know it was an audition.”
That unexpected visit turned into a four-hour masterclass. “They told me to just observe the senior artists for hours and then asked me to repeat what they did. Somehow, I managed to pull it off,” she recalled.
“Back then, everything was analogue. We would spend nearly eight hours dubbing a 20-minute episode, all of us together in the studio. It was intense but so rewarding. That environment helped me learn fast.”
For Chethana, the process was never a calculated career choice. “It happened organically because I loved it. Dubbing is my first love; it’s where I feel most free.”
Her very first role was in a children’s cartoon called ‘Maha Kabasiniya Thuma,’ which featured a granddaughter named Geetika. “I was just 10 or 11 when I voiced her,” Chethana remembered fondly.
“It was such a unique experience — completely different from what we do today. We had no computers, no digital setups. All the artists would gather in the studio, watch the scenes on a projector, mark our dialogues, and then record together. If one person messed up, we had to redo everything. But watching those senior artists perform was an education like no other. It taught me patience, discipline, and respect for the craft.”
Asked how someone might know they had the talent for dubbing, Chethana explained that a good voice alone wasn’t enough.
“Having a nice tone is one thing, but becoming a dubbing artist requires you to dive into the characters and completely forget yourself. If you can change your voice — go from a teenager to an elderly grandparent, or even imitate animals — that’s when you know you might have what it takes. Dubbing is about transforming into someone else’s performance, not just sounding good.”
Tapping into human emotions
Over the years, she has voiced hundreds of characters across international content, but a few roles stand out. “I loved voicing Thinyao in the Chinese drama ‘The Holy Pearl’ (‘Mayawarunge Lokaya’ in Sinhala),” she said. “Then there was Ha Jae-kyung in ‘Boys Over Flowers’ and Seung-nyang in the Korean drama ‘Empress Ki’ (‘Suriya Diyani’).
“In Hindi serials, I’ve been Emily Rathi in ‘Swapna,’ Vishakha Khanna in ‘Prema Dadayama,’ and Ishita in ‘Me Adarayai.’ But the most iconic has to be Maya Malhotra from ‘Beyhadh’ — a psychotic character unlike anything Sri Lankan audiences had seen before. It was challenging, thrilling, and very well loved.”
For Chethana, dubbing is more than matching lip movements — it is about empathy and acting. “When I step into the studio, I leave behind my own emotions and problems. I focus completely on how the actor is feeling. Even the smallest facial expression or nod can change how I deliver a line,” she explained. “I often study entire dramas in advance so I know how the character evolves. That way, I can fully immerse myself in their journey.”
When asked whether formal training was necessary, she reflected on how her generation had learnt. “In my day, everything was through practice and watching seniors. We didn’t have courses or formal training. Sadly, many of those senior artists have passed away and today’s newcomers won’t get the same opportunities to learn from them. That’s why I think formal training has become important now. But practice and experience are still irreplaceable; you need both to truly tap into human emotions.”
State of the industry
Chethana also expressed concerns about global trends where A-list celebrities were hired to voice characters in big productions.
“This has affected dubbing as a specialised art. Around the world, and here too, celebrities often overshadow trained dubbing artists. It’s frustrating, because this is a very different skill and we’re rarely recognised for it. In Sri Lanka, we don’t even have an award category for dubbing. It remains one of the most undervalued parts of the entertainment industry.”
The lack of recognition is compounded by poor financial compensation. “The dubbing industry has always been at the bottom of the barrel in terms of pay,” she admitted.
“It was better a few years ago, but now, with the economic crisis and high taxes on foreign dramas, channels prefer to produce local content. The number of dubbed dramas has dropped by almost 90%. Right now, I’m not even working on any dubbing projects, and only a handful of artists are. This used to be a full-time career for many, but today it’s barely sustainable.”
Despite this decline, she maintains that demand for dubbed content still exists. “Between 2013 and 2019, the industry was thriving. At one point, I was juggling eight projects alongside my studies. The demand is still there — people constantly message me asking how they can get into dubbing — but there are no projects, no investment.
“The craft is deeply undervalued, despite the fact that controlling your voice is such a powerful skill. Even ratings show that dubbed dramas perform well, but they are not given the recognition or investment they deserve.”
Globally, however, Chethana sees growth. “Dubbing is not a dying art,” she said firmly. “With Netflix and other platforms, you see series available in 10 different languages. That shows there’s space for it.
“Internationally, the industry is growing, but in Sri Lanka, it’s practically dead. It breaks my heart because dubbing is my first love, but I know it can be revived if channels and sponsors are willing to give it another chance. Audiences would absolutely respond.”
A woman of many hats
Outside of dubbing, Chethana wears many hats — actress, lawyer, social media creator, and more. She admitted that balancing these identities was less complicated than it sounded.
“None of my professions are nine-to-five jobs, so I can prioritise as needed. Some days I’m fully a lawyer, other days a voice artist or a digital creator. They do influence each other, though. Being a lawyer sharpens my ability to analyse, while being an artist makes me more empathetic. Social media adds a layer of responsibility in how I communicate. Together, these professions make me better at each one of them.”
Looking to the future, Chethana isn’t one to make rigid plans. “I’m more of a risk-taker,” she admitted. “The one thing I’m sure about is my finances. Beyond that, I take life one step at a time.”
For now, her focus is on music. “After the success of ‘Naana Vile,’ I realised how much I’ve missed singing. I want to create at least 23 original songs before I die — not for virality, but to leave behind something fun and memorable. For the next six months, that’s my plan,” she said.
As for dubbing, she remains cautiously hopeful. “These are unstable professions. We plan one thing and end up doing another. But I truly hope the dubbing industry revives, because I would love to be part of amazing projects again. Acting, too; I’ve only done a handful of dramas, but if good roles come my way, I would love to take them up. I know I have range as an actor, even beyond comedy. Some directors have brought out that serious side of me, and I’d like to explore it more.”
Through it all, Chethana stays grounded in her first love. “Dubbing made me who I am. It taught me discipline, patience, and respect for the craft. Even if the industry is struggling, my passion for it will never fade.”