The Indonesian dubbing of Bajirao Mastani demonstrates a . Unlike China, where some Indian films are heavily cut for religious content, or the Middle East, where romantic scenes may be trimmed, Indonesia allowed most visuals to remain intact. However, the audio track was systematically “desacralized” of explicit Hindu references. This aligns with Indonesia’s Pancasila state ideology, which recognizes six official religions but discourages public proselytization of one faith over another. By neutralizing Hindu-specific terms, the dubbers avoided potential controversy from hardline groups while preserving the film’s essence as a tragic romance.
Note: This is a draft for illustrative purposes. If you need a shorter summary or a different focus (e.g., technical dubbing process, market analysis), please specify.
The Indonesian dubbing of Bajirao Mastani is a masterclass in transcultural negotiation. It reveals how AVT can reshape a film’s cultural identity without altering its visual narrative. For future Indian productions seeking entry into Southeast Asian markets, this case suggests that linguistic adaptation is not merely about translation—it is about recalibrating cultural registers to fit local norms of power, piety, and passion. Further research should compare this dubbing to the Thai or Malay versions to understand regional variations. Bajirao Mastani Dubbing Indonesia
The 2015 Indian epic historical romance Bajirao Mastani , directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, achieved significant transnational success, particularly in Indonesia. This paper examines the Indonesian dubbing process of the film as a case study in audiovisual translation (AVT) and cultural localization. It analyzes the challenges of translating 18th-century Maratha political and poetic discourse into modern Bahasa Indonesia, the dubbing techniques used to preserve the film’s operatic emotional intensity, and the reception among Indonesian audiences. The findings suggest that the dubbing process involved strategic modifications—toning down explicit Hindu iconography while amplifying universal themes of honor, war, and forbidden love—to resonate with Indonesia’s Muslim-majority yet culturally pluralistic society.
Transcultural Adaptation and Linguistic Localization: A Case Study of the Indonesian Dubbing of Bajirao Mastani The Indonesian dubbing of Bajirao Mastani demonstrates a
This study employs a comparative descriptive analysis. The original Hindi dialogue track was compared against the official Indonesian dubbed version (released by Disney India’s distribution partners). Key scenes were selected for analysis: (1) the "Aayat" song sequence (Sufi-Muslim poetic context), (2) Bajirao’s war council speeches (Maratha political terminology), and (3) dialogues between Mastani and Kashi Bai (gender and household hierarchy). Additionally, online reviews and forum discussions (e.g., Kaskus, Twitter Indonesia) were analyzed to gauge audience reception.
Bajirao Mastani (2015) tells the story of the Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I and his relationship with the warrior-princess Mastani. Upon its release, the film was dubbed into several languages for international markets, including Turkish, Arabic, and Indonesian. Indonesia represents a unique market: a nation with a rich history of Hindu-Buddhist classical epics (e.g., the Ramayana and Mahabharata adaptations) but a contemporary majority-Muslim population. This paper asks: How did the Indonesian dubbing of Bajirao Mastani navigate the tension between historical Hindu-Maratha culture and contemporary Indonesian linguistic and religious norms? If you need a shorter summary or a different focus (e
| Original Hindi | Literal English | Indonesian Dubbed | Back-translation | |----------------|----------------|-------------------|------------------| | “Mastani, tum meri swadharma ho.” | “Mastani, you are my sacred duty.” | “Mastani, kau kewajiban suciku.” | “Mastani, you are my sacred obligation.” | | “Bajirao ne Mastani ko apna ghar diya.” | “Bajirao gave Mastani his home.” | “Bajirao memberikan hati dan rumahnya untuk Mastani.” | “Bajirao gave his heart and home to Mastani.” |
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Indonesian dubbing directors chose deep, resonant voices for Bajirao (actor Ranveer Singh’s energy was replaced with a more authoritative, slower cadence) to align with the Wali Songo tradition of calm, wise leaders. Mastani’s voice was given a refined priyayi (Javanese aristocratic) tone, elevating her status from “foreign concubine” in some Indian readings to “noble princess” in the Indonesian version.