Priyanka Chopra, Nana Patekar and Irrfan Khan have reportedly agreed to voice Kaa, Shere Khan and Baloo in Jon Favreau’s Jungle Book, which will be dubbed in Hindi upon its arrival in India. The film, which stars India origin Neel Sethi as Mowgli, will be releasing one week ahead of its international release here.
Jungle Book could not have found a better star than Priyanka to replace the soft, seductive Kaa, as voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Priyanka will be back with her ABC show Quantico on Monday, she is shooting for Baywatch in Florida and her Jai Gangaajal released on Friday in India. India’s most famous export also took time to make a stunning red carpet appearance at Oscars, appear on TV and trump Jimmy Fallon and dub for Jungle Book.
Another international star who will be on the Hindi voice cast is Irrfan. The Jurassic World actor will be playing Baloo, voiced originally by Bill Murray. We would love to see him sing Bare Necessities, the good life anthem that Murray has sung in Jungle Book.
“The global franchise gives me a great opportunity to be a part of children’s film which I have been wanting for a long time. And yes, I couldn’t be happier to dub for Baloo, and more than me my younger one’s grin for Baloo made it worth while,” Irrfan told IANS in a statement.
Nana Patekar is back as Shere Khan. Patekar had earlier voiced Mowgli’s arch nemesis in the dubbed ’90s TV show, Jungle Book, on Doordarshan.
Others who are a part of the dubbing cast include Shefali Shah and Om Puri. Shefali Shah will be Raksha, the wolf, portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o in the Hollywood film. And Om Puri will play Bagheera, who is voiced by Ben Kingsley originally.
