Yashaswini Dayama, known for her versatile acting, continues to impress audiences with her diverse roles. She first gained recognition in the 2016 film Dear Zindagi, where she played Jackie, a close friend of Alia Bhatt’s character. Recently, she voiced Valeria Richards in Marvel’s Wastelanders, an audio series where she explores a complex character with a massive arc. Yashaswini also stars as Soumya in Bandish Bandits season 2, where she portrays a singer navigating personal and professional challenges. In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, she reflected on her journey and growth as an actor. Excerpts:
Q. How was your experience narrating Marvel’s Wastelanders?
A. It was so good, so special because obviously Marvel is such a big franchise to be a part of. I’ve always been a nerd about these things. And to be able to voice a character that ends up having such a massive arc, she becomes the ultimate villain against all these Avengers. It’s been such an exciting thing. It’s been so good as an actor to get to explore a completely different side of a character, a completely different type of a character. So it’s just been a massive acting exercise, apart from everything else exciting.
Q. What was it like voicing Valeria Richards?
A. Voicing Valeria Richards was an exciting experience. I got to bring this complex character to life. Valeria is not just a villain but someone who has a very deep backstory, and it was fun to explore her emotional depth through voice acting.
Q. How did you prepare for your character in Wastelanders?
A. Preparation wise, I didn’t overdo it. I’m always afraid of over-preparing, so I like to trust the people around me in the room to guide me. I had a reference point in the original English podcast, which gave me some idea of the direction. I also had the script and paid attention to how the other characters were performing. The process was very collaborative, and while recording, there was a fantastic actor, Mantra, who would act out characters for me, helping me get the right responses. It was a refreshing and different approach to acting—being open to the process and letting things flow naturally in the studio.
Q. What drew you to the Wastelanders series?
A. The whole idea of working with Marvel was thrilling. Plus, Wastelanders is such an intriguing series with complex characters and a rich story. I was drawn to the opportunity to voice someone like Valeria Richards, who is not a typical villain but someone whose actions stem from pain and loss.
Q. How was it working with Audible on this project?
A. Working with Audible has been fantastic! I’ve had a great relationship with them in the past, and it was exciting to be a part of this project. The fact that Audible saw something unique in my take on Valeria Richards was incredibly gratifying. They recognized that she could be voiced differently—not as a typical bad guy, but with depth and complexity. I feel really grateful for the opportunity.
Q. How did you feel about being part of the Hindi adaptation of Wastelanders?
A. I was in disbelief when I first heard about being part of the Hindi adaptation. I genuinely kept thinking there had to be a catch. But Audible and the team trusted me to bring Valeria to life in a fresh way. The fact that they chose me to voice such a complex character made me feel so honored and grateful. I love that my voice isn’t what you’d traditionally expect for a villain—Valeria has a certain softness, and that’s key to her character. She’s not inherently evil; she’s driven by pain and circumstances beyond her control.
Q. How does voice acting differ from your other work?
A. What I find fascinating about voice acting, especially in audio series, is how much story is conveyed without any visuals. You don’t have a set to tell you where your character is or how they’re feeling, but sound—like the pitter-patter of rain or the clinking of cutlery—can set the scene. This medium allows you to communicate emotions and actions purely through sound. Unlike in visual mediums, where you can rely on body language and facial expressions, in voice acting, everything must be communicated vocally, which is both challenging and exciting.
Q. What makes Wastelanders unique in the world of audio series?
A. Wastelanders stands out because it’s deeply immersive. The use of sound effects to tell the story is so effective—it’s something that pulls you into the world, even though you don’t have the visuals. The series is action-packed, emotionally charged, and quick-paced, with a lot of depth to the characters, especially Valeria. It’s not your typical superhero narrative; it’s filled with complexity, and that’s what makes it unique.
Q. What can fans expect from your character in this series?
A. Valeria is such a dynamic character. At the beginning, you see her pain, love, and friendships, and you really want things to work out for her. But as the series progresses, you realize she’s destined for tragedy. She’s dealing with so much, and all of that leads her into madness due to the cosmic cube and the power it grants her. Valeria doesn’t see herself as the villain—she believes she’s doing what’s right. But that madness clouds her judgment. Fans can expect an emotional rollercoaster with action and high stakes. It’s going to be an intense ride!
Q. Can you share any details about your upcoming projects?
A. There’s nothing I can disclose at the moment, but I do have two releases planned for later this year. I’m really excited about them and can’t wait to talk about them when the time comes.
