We, (us 90s kids) struggled to wake up for school during the week but on Sunday mornings, we woke up all excited at 8 am and rushed to switch on the television! Doordarshan aired what is now the most unforgettable series of every 90s kid’s life! Mowgli would ride on all his favourite animal friends and sing the most awesome ‘Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai Pata Chala Hai’. Now when the movie Jungle Book is all set to hit the screens, we can’t help but think about the most memorable characters of the Rudyard Kipling wonder!
Warning: Keep a box of tissues ready while you watch this older version of the Gulzar song.
Written by: Deepa Kalukuri
Mowgli
Of course this kid tops the list! And why not? He was our best friend during our childhood days! Rudyard Kipling loved India so much that he couldn’t help writing a series of books inspired by the country, while his father was posted here during the British era. His main character Mowgli was guarded with unconditional love & care by his confidants Baloo and Bagheera. He was nothing less than a super hero with extraordinary courage and uniqueness. In Jon Favreau’s and Disney’s version of Jungle Book, Indian-American boy, Neel Sethi plays Mowgli and has already been receiving positive reviews for his role. It will be interesting to watch him play the role!
Watch the latest trailer here:
Shere Khan
The evil evil Tiger, who never fails to pick up an opportunity to grab on to Mowgli; Shere Khan was one of the most fascinating characters of the series. He was sharp, cunning, intelligent and quick! Kidnapping Mowgli was Shere Khan’s ultimate goal and he tries to do his best achieving it. Voiced by the hunky Idris Alba, the character is sure to leave audiences in fear! In the Hindi version, Nana Patekar voices the role of Shere Khan. Just getting excited already!!!!
Bagheera & Baloo
Trust a bear to stand by a kid! There comes Baloo with his cute grin and unconditional love for Mowgli. Along with the most trustworthy Bagheera the Panther, he saves the little boy from the evil Shere Khan. Baloo brings Mowgli back to the jungle and Bagheera warns him against his safety. While Baloo doesn’t appear until the climax, he does the most adorable thing during the final fight between Mowgli and Shere Khan!!!! In the Disney’s version Baloo is voiced by Bill Murray! Sir Ben Kingsley has lent his voice for Bagheera!!!
Kaa
Over a hundred years old, Kaa is a powerful Indian rock python which is polite and gentle. He is feared and respected by the other habitants! Kaa is kind, helpful and loves Mowgli! He comes to the aid of Baloo and Bagheera when they try to save the little Mowgli! Desi girl Priyanka Chopra has voiced the character of Kaa in the hindi version and the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson plays Kaa in the english version. We can’t ignore how great these ladies would sound as Kaa. Interestingly, the character was male in all the previous series and the original book.
Raksha
Mowgli’s mother and savior, the Indian wolf Raksha is fierce and protective when it comes to saving her child! She raises him along with her other cubs and takes care of him like her own. She is sadly killed during the climax of the story by Shere Khan and instantly becomes one of the most loved characters of the series. Lupita Nyong’o has dubbed her voice for Raksha and Shefali Shah lends her voice in the Hindi version.