Popular comedian and actor Kettan Singh opened up about the professional challenges of being “pigeonholed” in the entertainment industry during an in-depth conversation on the latest episode of The MotorMouth Show.
Speaking with host Sonal Kaushal, a prominent voice artist known for voicing Doraemon in India, Singh explained that his reputation for high-quality mimicry often acts as a double-edged sword that prevents casting directors from seeing him as a serious actor.
The veteran performer, who has been active in the industry for over 13 years, noted that even after successful auditions, he is frequently rejected because his identity is so closely tied to comedy and impressions.
Kettan Singh described this phenomenon as a professional hazard, where his ability to master voices becomes a barrier to securing diverse roles.
He shared that many casting professionals in India carry a specific stereotype that mimicry artists lack the range for dramatic performances.
To counter this perception, Singh pointed toward global icons like Jim Carrey and Kevin Spacey. He argued that these actors are celebrated for their ability to impersonate others, using it as a tool to enhance their characters rather than being restricted by it.
The actor, who recently appeared in the film Vanvaas on Zee5, also discussed the physical and technical demands of his craft for the benefit of aspiring creators. He revealed that he performs daily riyaz using a tanpura app to maintain his vocal health.
Singh specifically practices extending his range between high and low pitches to ensure his muscles stay flexible for various character voices.
He also explained that he avoids extremely cold water and maintains his throat health with black coffee, a tip he offered to those looking to enter the professional voice industry.
The discussion also touched upon the recent controversy involving filmmaker Karan Johar, who had publicly criticized Singh’s mimicry on the show Madness Machayenge.
Singh clarified that while he never intends to mock his subjects, the industry’s sensitive nature often makes mimicry a high-risk profession.
He reiterated that his goal is always to celebrate the persona he is imitating, such as his viral impressions of Pankaj Tripathi or Amitabh Bachchan.
Despite the hurdles of being stereotyped, Singh maintains a massive presence in the Indian creator economy, with his appearances on The Kapil Sharma Show and various digital platforms garnering millions of views.
Kettan Singh originally gained fame as a radio jockey at BIG 92.7 FM before moving into television acting and stand-up comedy, and has established himself as a multitalented performer across television, film, and digital media.
A qualified engineer by education, he chose to pivot toward the arts, eventually landing his breakout television role in the 2017 sitcom Shankar Jai Kishan – 3 in 1.
In this show, he achieved the rare feat of playing three distinct characters, a doctor, a policeman, and a real estate agent, which allowed him to showcase his range in voice modulation and physical comedy.
Despite his success in comedy, Singh remains an advocate for being viewed as a versatile actor, frequently citing his background in dubbing and voice-overs for major documentaries and commercials as evidence of his technical vocal expertise.
