While celebrities bring marketing power, they also face the daunting task of voice acting, which is different from live-action acting.
Perhaps the most brilliant casting choice was , a legendary Indonesian comedian and actor, as Hank, the cranky, seven-legged octopus (septopus). Momon’s deep, gravelly, sarcastic voice was a perfect match for the grumpy escape artist. His improvisational grunts and muttered Indonesian curse words (softened for kids) made Hank the scene-stealer. In the scene where Hank reluctantly agrees to help Dory, Momon’s exhausted sigh— "Haduh... nyebelin banget sih kamu" ("Ugh... you are so annoying")—became a viral meme in Indonesian Twitter circles.
One of the biggest challenges in the Indonesian dubbing process was Dory’s famous "Whale Speak" (bahasa Paus).
The original English Dory—voiced by Ellen DeGeneres—is rapid-fire, neurotic, yet endearing. But Indonesian audiences needed a Dory who felt local: someone whose lupa (forgetfulness) felt natural, not forced, and whose kindness shone through the chaos. finding dory dubbing indonesia
For Indonesian audiences, Muchtar’s voice is synonymous with the character. His return provided a sense of nostalgia and legitimacy to the sequel. It allowed the dynamic between Marlin and Dory to feel genuine; the exasperation in Muchtar’s voice acting perfectly complemented the scatterbrained nature of Dory, grounding the film in the familiar chemistry established over a decade prior.
The grumpy but lovable septopus was voiced by the prolific entertainer Raffi Ahmad. His fast-paced delivery and comedic timing matched Hank’s cynical yet protective nature perfectly. Why Localized Dubbing Matters
For many kids, these films are an early introduction to formal and informal Indonesian vocabulary used in storytelling. Reception and Impact While celebrities bring marketing power, they also face
The highlight of the Mencari Dory release was the inclusion of Indonesian celebrities to voice key new characters. This strategy was aimed at increasing local appeal and marketing impact.
Finding Dory deals with heavy themes like disability, separation anxiety, and mental health. The voice actors had to deliver these emotional lines authentically without sounding overly melodramatic. Reception and Impact
For the 2016 release, Disney Indonesia departed from its usual reliance on professional voice actors to lead major roles, instead hiring high-profile celebrities to voice the film's new key characters. Raffi Ahmad you are so annoying")—became a viral meme in
Taking over the iconic role of the forgetful blue tang was , a prominent actress, model, and TV presenter. Unlike the frantic, high-pitched energy of the English version, Kora’s Dory was warm, melodic, and naturally confused rather than hyperactive. Her delivery of the famous line, "Yang penting, terus berenang" ("Just keep swimming"), felt less like a mantra and more like a comforting hug. Indonesian parents appreciated that Kora made Dory sound endearing, not annoying.
Dubbing a film like Finding Dory involves far more than direct word-for-word translation. The localization team had to meticulously adapt jokes, idioms, and marine puns so they would resonate with Indonesian cultural sensibilities.
Despite a massive marketing push using these stars, the theatrical reception for dubbed versions in Indonesia was mixed. While Mencari Dory