Sandeep Salwann is a talented voice-over and mimicry artist, Passionate about mimicry since his school days, and has since entertained audiences with his unique skills. Today, he not only continues his craft but also focuses on mentoring and providing opportunities for aspiring voice artists.

Sandeep Salwann is a voice-over artist and the founder of Voiceover Mehak, established in 2016 in Delhi. A passionate mimicry artist, he has been honing his craft since 10th grade and began performing professionally in 2010.

Sandeep Salwann shares that while he initially worked as a freelancer and still enjoys it, his primary focus now is on providing opportunities for freshers and young talent through his platform.

Sandeep Salwann completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Delhi. He shares that his inspiration for entering the field of mimicry and voice-over stemmed from his keen observation of look-alike actors and duplicates of famous comedians, as well as legendary stars like Dev Anand and Amitabh Bachchan. Fascinated by how they could imitate these icons so accurately, he became curious about the art of mimicry.

One day, he decided to give it a try himself. Standing in front of a mirror, he practiced mimicking Dev Anand’s distinctive style. After several attempts, he finally performed in front of a friend, who burst into laughter and exclaimed, “You sound exactly like Dev Anand!” This moment of encouragement proved to be a turning point for Sandeep, inspiring him to further pursue mimicry and hone his craft.

After this moment of encouragement, Sandeep Salwann gained confidence in his mimicry skills. He then started exploring how to enhance his performances by focusing on facial expressions and gestures. Through experimentation, he realized that small changes, like altering his hairstyle or wearing a cap, could help him create more convincing expressions. However, he emphasizes that his objective was never to become a mere imitation of any actor, but rather to refine his craft and cultivate a distinctive style of his own in the fields of mimicry and voice-over artistry.

Sandeep Salwann further explains that the ability to mimic others may have a hereditary aspect. He believes that imitation is a common trait found in many families, where at least one person tends to impersonate others for fun. He recalls that his aunt and other relatives also had a habit of mimicking people, which made him feel that this talent was naturally ingrained in him. Unlike formal training, his skill developed instinctively. He didn’t limit himself to copying actors; he also mimicked unique personalities from everyday life, such as teachers and vegetable vendors, finding inspiration in their distinct voices and mannerisms.

Sandeep Salwann recalls how he used to record his mimicry on a tape recorder, often using the last side of the tape, unintentionally erasing albums and recordings in the process. At that time, he didn’t think about whether it was right or wrong, he was simply enjoying himself, fully immersed in the fun of experimenting with voices and perfecting his craft.

Sandeep Salwann highlights a key challenge in mimicry—the difficulty of achieving absolute accuracy. He explains that mimicry involves capturing voice tones and expressions, but perceptions vary from person to person. While some may find his imitation spot-on, others may not see the resemblance.

He identifies managing audience expectations as a significant challenge. Even when he achieves 75% accuracy in a performance, some individuals remain unsatisfied, expecting absolute perfection—particularly from a professional mimicry artist. He explains that audiences often assume he can flawlessly replicate voices of celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, when in reality, a 100% match is technically unattainable. This, he emphasizes, is not a personal limitation but a shared challenge faced by all mimicry artists, as audiences frequently expect an exact vocal replica of the original.

During COVID, Sandeep Salwann shares that, as an artist, he did not face significant challenges in terms of work. Since everything was available in the studio, including microphones, and recording could also be done through mobile phones, the workflow remained steady. Many artists recorded using their phones, while those with home studio setups used professional mics.

However, he highlights that the biggest challenge during this time was not the technical aspects but handling artists' expectations. He had to reject multiple candidates based on project requirements, which was difficult. Since he receives a wide range of voice samples from both male and female artists in different languages like Hindi, English, and Punjabi, he had to assess and determine whether a particular voice fit the project. Explaining to artists that they were not suitable for certain projects or handling their disappointment after multiple rejections was tough. He emphasizes that persistence is key in the industry, while someone might face 10 rejections, they could get selected in the 11th audition.

Apart from talent selection, Sandeep Salwann highlights another significant challenge in the voice-over industry—the issue of market pricing and unrealistic expectations. He explains that many newcomers enter the field with the belief that they will earn lakhs just by reading from a script, as they often come across stories of people making huge earnings in the industry. While he acknowledges that it is possible to earn well, he clarifies that not everyone can achieve such success instantly.

He emphasizes that voice-over is not just about reading words; it is an art that requires skill, passion, and practice. A significant challenge lies in convincing aspiring artists that voice modulation, expression, and performance are far more critical than simply reading a script. Many mistakenly perceive the profession as easy, when in fact, it requires relentless effort, continuous learning, and considerable patience to succeed and establish a foothold in the industry.

Reflecting on his achievements, mimicry artist Sandeep Salwann shares that, for him, the true achievement is when people recognize the artist he is mimicking. He believes that the essence of mimicry lies in capturing the nuances so well that the audience instantly connects with the personality being portrayed.

One of the most memorable moments of his career was performing onstage for India News during the show Chunavi Nights with Deepak, where he appeared in the getup of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Baba Ramdev and television anchor Deepak Chaurasia. Sandeep regards this occasion as one of the most significant milestones in his career, noting that performing before such eminent figures was both a profound honor and a powerful validation of his artistic abilities.

Speaking about his role models and support system, Sandeep Salwann shares that his parents were unaware of his mimicry skills until he reached the 12th grade. His school friends played a crucial role in encouraging him. He credits his close friends—Gurwinder Kohli, Ajay Kishor, Rahul Shaukin, and others—for being his biggest supporters. Their constant encouragement and belief in his talent helped him gain confidence and refine his skills in mimicry and voice-over artistry.

Addressing young aspirants and the current generation, Sandeep Salwann highlights a common challenge—distraction caused by social media. He shares that people often start with a strong interest in one field but get influenced by trending content. For example, someone aspiring to become a pilot may begin by watching aviation-related videos, but soon, social media algorithms will show them content on jewelry designing. This might make them reconsider their career path, leading to confusion. He admits that even he faces similar distractions and emphasizes the importance of staying focused and committed to one’s true passion.

Sandeep Salwann further emphasizes the importance of having clear goals and a strong vision. He advises individuals to stay focused on their objectives so that distractions do not divert them from their path. One method he suggests for maintaining focus is creating a schedule and writing down tasks and goals. He believes that keeping track of one’s progress helps in staying disciplined. However, he also warns that constantly delaying tasks as per the schedule can create challenges in achieving success. By staying organized and committed, individuals can overcome distractions and work towards their dreams effectively.

Sandeep Salwann stresses the importance of time management, stating that no matter what work one does, it should be done on time. To illustrate this, he gives an example: Suppose someone schedules yoga for Monday at 8 AM for 15 minutes and then plans to write down blog pointers from 9 to 9:30 AM. If they fail to complete the first task due to various reasons, it will affect the rest of their schedule. Tasks will keep getting postponed, or some might even be skipped entirely. He emphasizes that completing tasks on time helps individuals stay calm, composed, and in control of their goals, preventing unnecessary stress and procrastination.

Sandeep Salwann shares an alternative approach to effective time management, drawing from his personal experience. If he begins a scheduled task later than planned or has limited time available, he still commits to working on it for at least 5 to 15 minutes rather than skipping it entirely. This brief engagement signals to the brain that progress has been made, making it easier to resume the task later. He believes this method is more effective than postponing or abandoning tasks, as it fosters a sense of accomplishment, promotes mental clarity, and contributes to better overall organization.

Sandeep Salwann shares an alternative approach to effective time management, drawing from his personal experience. If he begins a scheduled task later than planned or has limited time available, he still commits to working on it for at least 5 to 15 minutes rather than skipping it entirely. This brief engagement signals to the brain that progress has been made, making it easier to resume the task later. He believes this method is more effective than postponing or abandoning tasks, as it fosters a sense of accomplishment, promotes mental clarity, and contributes to better overall organization.

Sandeep Salwann concludes by inviting aspiring voice-over artists to connect with him or his company, Voiceover Mehak. He encourages individuals who believe they have a strong voice and potential in the field to submit their voice samples via email at [email protected] or through their website. He assures that if their voice aligns with the client’s requirements, they will be contacted for relevant opportunities.