Debut as a Voice Actor in 'PANJI TENGKORAK', Denny Sumargo Plays Sword Fighting in the Studio

Kapanlagi.com - Denny Sumargo challenges himself again in the world of acting through an unusual project. The actor, also known by the nickname Densu, is trying out voice-over for the first time in the animated film PANJI TENGKORAK produced by Falcon Pictures.

The film, adapted from the classic comic by Hans Jaladara, tells the story of Panji, a martial arts warrior who hunts down his wife's murderer. Densu is entrusted with voicing the main character, and this experience has become one of the most unique creative processes in his career.

"If the creative focus starts with a reading process first, it doesn’t go straight to the voice and action. The reading is how I told Mas Donny while jumping on the table, I even played with sticks as if they were swords," said Denny Sumargo at XXI Kemang Village, South Jakarta, on Monday (2/6/2025).

According to Denny, the reading session is an important stage for actors to fully feel the character before recording the voice. He admitted to fully embracing this method, even to the point of looking like someone who was 'possessed' due to being so immersed in the role. "So we really move our bodies so that the character comes out," he said.

Not just reading silently, Denny mentioned that the reading approach he did with the other actors was very intense and full of improvisation. He felt that this process helped everyone connect with their respective characters.

"If we just sit quietly and read, it doesn’t really come out. During the reading process, we first feel how it is and that creative process, and hopefully, there can be a BTS (behind-the-scenes) aired," he said with a laugh.

1. Like a Crazy Person

In the reading session, the atmosphere often becomes absurd and looks silly to outsiders. But for Denny, it is part of the way to explore the character's emotions and gestures to the fullest.

"It’s like a crazy person, seriously, here jumping on the table, over there sword fighting, so it doesn’t connect like that," he said.

After the reading, this father of one continued to the voice-over recording stage, refined by the director, Daryl Wilson. According to him, the reading results that have already 'felt' are very helpful during the voice recording because he already knows what kind of emotions to convey.

"But over time, we can feel it and the feelings we have felt are then brought into the recording process, where Mas Daryl sharpens it again," he said.

2. Joking But Serious

© KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

He also mentioned several other characters such as Bramantya, Gantari, and Murni, who are also played by famous actors, becoming part of a solid ecosystem in building the world of Panji Tengkorak.

"It turns out that the feelings that come out during the reading process ultimately provide the foundation for executing the characters being played," Denny explained.

According to him, the creative process undertaken by the production team is not just a gimmick or small talk. Denny believes that each actor gives their best effort and works very seriously, even though the atmosphere sometimes seems funny.

"It really goes deep into and immerses in the character through that foundation. So the creative process is not just joking around, but we really do it seriously even though it looks funny," he said.

3. Proud

© KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

Denny is not hesitant to express his pride in being a part of this film. He considers Panji Tengkorak to be a project worked on with high spirit and dedication by the entire team.

"But totality, in my opinion, and I am proud to be on the PANJI TENGKORAK team, supporting and being the voice-over here. No one is giving half-heartedly here; I think everyone is giving one hundred percent or more. Thank you very much, good job," he concluded.

The animated film PANJI TENGKORAK is scheduled to be released in theaters starting August 28, 2025. In addition to Denny, the voice cast also includes top actors such as Aghniny Haque, Donny Damara, Cok Simbara, Tanta Ginting, Donny Alamsyah, Revaldo, Nurra Datau, and Candra Mukti. The film is directed by Daryl Wilson and is one of the most anticipated local animation productions this year.

(kpl/far/ums)