On September 2, 2025, Japanese voice actor Takahiro Sakurai, famed for voicing Giyu Tomioka in Demon Slayer, expressed deep admiration for Indian superstar Rajinikanth and lauded S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR and Baahubali for their global impact. Sakurai, a veteran seiyū, shared his thoughts ahead of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1’s India release. He praised Rajinikanth’s commanding presence and Indian films’ storytelling. Sakurai also highlighted cinema’s ability to connect cultures, sparking excitement among fans.
A Starstruck Seiyū
Takahiro Sakurai, 51, who voiced Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII and Suzaku Kururugi in Code Geass, expressed his admiration for Rajinikanth’s “solid presence and deep voice,” stating, “I don’t think I will be able to dub for him.” Speaking ahead of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1’s India premiere on September 12, 2025, Sakurai recalled the 1998 cultural phenomenon of Rajinikanth’s Muthu, which grossed $400,000 in Japan, holding the record as India’s highest-grossing film there until RRR’s $2.4 million in 2022.
Celebrating Indian Cinema’s Global Reach
Sakurai praised S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR and Baahubali for their emotional depth and cinematic scale, noting their universal appeal. Muthu (1995), a Tamil blockbuster, captivated Japanese audiences, while RRR (2022), starring Jr. NTR and Ram Charan, grossed ₹1,387 crore globally, winning an Oscar for “Naatu Naatu,” per Wikipedia. Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and its sequel (2017) earned over ₹2,500 crore combined, redefining Indian epics. Sakurai’s comments align with RRR’s record-breaking Japan run.
Future Implications and Challenges
As Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 targets India’s anime boom, Sakurai’s comments boost anticipation, but dubbing challenges for Rajinikanth’s unique voice—handled in Hindi by Mayur Vyas for films like Jailer—persist, per Wikipedia. Will this spark more India-Japan cinematic collaborations or remain a heartfelt nod? With Baahubali: The Epic rereleasing October 31, 2025, and RRR’s global legacy, Indian cinema’s influence continues to grow, inspired by voices like Sakurai’s.
-By Manoj H