Why Identity (2025) Is Not Available in Hindi: A Deep Dive Into the Absence of a Hindi Dub
Why Identity (2025) Is Not Available in Hindi ? : The 2025 Malayalam movie Identity, starring Tovino Thomas and Trisha Krishnan, has been widely appreciated for its gripping storyline and intense performances. Directed by Akhil Paul and Anas Khan, the film was released theatrically on January 2, 2025, and later made available for streaming on ZEE5 from January 31, 2025.
While Identity has been released in multiple languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, there is no official Hindi-dubbed version, leaving many fans in North India and Hindi-speaking regions disappointed. This has led to several questions: Why is Identity not available in Hindi? Is there a chance of a Hindi release in the future? And why do some South Indian movies get Hindi dubs while others don’t?
Table of Contents
Let’s explore the key reasons behind the absence of a Hindi-dubbed version of Identity (2025) and what it means for the film industry.
Why Isn’t Identity (2025) Available in Hindi?
Many Hollywood films release in multiple languages, including Hindi. However, Identity (2025) has not been dubbed in Hindi due to several reasons, ranging from licensing restrictions to financial considerations. Let’s break down the key factors behind this.
Market Demand and Business Strategy of Why Identity (2025) Is Not Available in Hindi
One of the biggest factors that determine whether a South Indian film gets a Hindi dub is the market demand. Malayalam cinema, while respected for its strong storytelling, does not always have a vast Hindi-speaking audience compared to Telugu and Tamil films.
For example, big-budget Telugu films like RRR and Pushpa were dubbed in Hindi because they had a strong mass appeal, extensive action sequences, and were marketed as pan-India films. On the other hand, many Malayalam films tend to focus on regional storytelling, making them more niche in the Hindi market.
Despite Malayalam films gaining more recognition in North India due to streaming platforms, producers often evaluate whether a Hindi dub will be financially viable. If the estimated revenue from a Hindi release doesn’t justify the cost of dubbing and promotion, producers may decide to skip the Hindi version altogether.
Case Studies of Similar Films
Drishyam 2 (2021) was a Malayalam blockbuster but instead of dubbing it, Bollywood opted for a Hindi remake starring Ajay Devgn.
Minnal Murali (2021), a Malayalam superhero film, was dubbed in Hindi because it had broad appeal and a Netflix release.
Films like Jana Gana Mana (2022) and Bheeshma Parvam (2022) did not receive Hindi dubs because their primary audience remained in South India.
From this, we can infer that if a Malayalam film does not have the mass appeal required for a pan-India release, it may not be dubbed in Hindi.
Dubbing and Distribution Challenges
Even if a film is successful, dubbing it into another language is a complex process. It involves:
Finding the right voice actors to match the original actors’ emotions and performance.
Rewriting dialogues to suit Hindi audiences without losing cultural context.
Synchronizing lip movements, which is often tricky in Malayalam films due to different speech patterns.
In many cases, even if dubbing is planned, it can be delayed due to technical or distribution issues. Identity (2025), for example, had a relatively short gap between its theatrical and streaming release. This means that there may not have been enough time to prepare a Hindi version before its OTT debut.
Furthermore, ZEE5, which holds the streaming rights, might have chosen not to invest in a Hindi dub, as they focus more on regional language content for South Indian audiences.
Competition with Hindi Cinema
Another major reason why some South Indian films avoid a Hindi release is competition with Bollywood.
For instance, in January 2025, Bollywood films like Fighter (starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone) were dominating the box office. A film like Identity, which is a psychological thriller, might not have been able to attract mainstream Hindi audiences against Bollywood action thrillers.
Producers may have felt that the Hindi market was too competitive at the time of release, and instead of pushing a dubbed version, they focused on regional audiences who are already interested in Malayalam cinema.
The Growing Role of Subtitles
In recent years, the way audiences consume films has changed. Many people, especially those on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and ZEE5, prefer watching films with subtitles instead of dubbed versions.
This trend means that producers often prioritize high-quality subtitles over dubbing, as they allow the film to reach a wider audience without additional production costs.
A good example is the Malayalam film Kumbalangi Nights (2019), which became a national sensation even without a Hindi dub, simply because of its strong word-of-mouth appeal and the availability of well-translated English subtitles.
For Identity, the makers may have felt that Hindi-speaking audiences who are genuinely interested would still watch the film with subtitles rather than requiring a Hindi dub.
Possibility of a Hindi Dub in the Future
While Identity is not currently available in Hindi, this does not mean that a Hindi-dubbed version will never be released. Many South Indian films get Hindi dubs months or even years after their original release.
For example:
Kantara (2022) got a Hindi dub after its unexpected success.
777 Charlie (2022) initially released in Kannada but was later dubbed in multiple languages due to demand.
If Identity performs well on OTT platforms and gains popularity among North Indian viewers, ZEE5 or other distributors might consider releasing a Hindi-dubbed version in the future.
The Rise of Hindi Remakes Instead of Dubs
Another possibility is that instead of a Hindi-dubbed version, Bollywood could choose to remake the film in Hindi with a different cast. This has happened many times in the past:
Drishyam (Malayalam) → Remade in Hindi with Ajay Devgn
Kaithi (Tamil) → Being remade in Hindi as Bholaa starring Ajay Devgn
Vikram Vedha (Tamil) → Remade in Hindi with Hrithik Roshan
Since Identity has a thrilling crime-based story, it could be a strong candidate for a Bollywood remake in the future.
FAQs of why Identity (2025) Is Not Available in Hindi
1. Will Identity (2025) ever be released in Hindi?
There is no official confirmation yet, but if demand increases, a Hindi dub might be released later.
2. Where can I watch Identity (2025) with Hindi subtitles?
Most streaming platforms that host the movie should offer Hindi subtitles as an alternative.
3. Why do some Hollywood movies get a Hindi dub while others don’t?
It depends on market demand, licensing rights, and financial feasibility.
4. Is there any way to request a Hindi dub?
Yes, fans can sign online petitions or request it through streaming platforms’ customer service.
5. How do regional licensing laws affect Hindi dubbing?
Studios negotiate rights based on regions, and sometimes Hindi dubbing is not included in the initial deal.
Conclusion: Will Identity (2025) Get a Hindi Version?
At the moment, Identity (2025) is available only in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, but not in Hindi. The main reasons include:
Lack of mass-market demand for a Hindi dub
Distribution and dubbing challenges
Competition from Bollywood films
Preference for subtitles over dubbing
However, if the film gains popularity on streaming platforms like ZEE5, the chances of a Hindi-dubbed release or even a Bollywood remake in the future remain high.
For now, Malayalam movie fans who speak Hindi can watch Identity with subtitles—which is often the best way to experience a film in its original form.
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