Indian-American boy to play Mowgli in Disney's 'Jungle Book'

Los Angeles: Disney has found its Mowgli in 10-year-old Indian-American Neel Sethi for its live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale about a boy who is raised by animals in The Jungle Book.

New York-born Sethi will be the only actor to appear onscreen in the project which is a combination of live-action and animation, said the Hollywood Reporter.

Jon Favreau is directing the film from a script by Justin Marks for a release in 3D on October 9, 2015.

While Mowgli’s jungle family will be created with the help of CGI, the voice cast boasts Idris Elba as the villain Shere Khan, Ben Kingsley will voice beloved panther Bagheera while Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o are also in talks for Disney’s take on voice parts.

Favreau said it was important to cast the right face for Mowgli. He is confident Neel will be able to handle the role.

PTI