Shekhar Kapur Says Jungle Book’s Amazing Success is a Warning to Indian Filmmakers

There’s no doubt that the latest version of The Jungle Book is cutting edge, adorable, and even scary. Besides, its a story that many in India can relate to. No wonder its running to packed houses in India and around the world. However, noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur says Jungle Book’s success is a warning to Indian Filmmakers – to either raise the bar or lose the market.

Huge box office numbers for #JungleBook is a warning for Indian filmmakers. Put out better mainstream content or lose your market #Bollywood

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 26, 2016

Priyanka Chopra is Hypnotic as ‘Kaa’ in Jungle Book, Almost Missed Out the Opportunity

Padma Shri Priyanka Chopra has lent her voice to the character of Kaa (the python) in the Hindi version of the Jungle Book. Priyanka is a big fan of the Jungle Book from her childhood, and despite getting the opportunity to do the voice-over, she almost missed out on voicing the part as Priyanka was busy shooting Quantico in Montreal and in the same month, even the Baywatch soot happened.

Disney India head Siddharth Roy Kapur insisted that Priyanka did the voiceover.
“Siddharth called me and asked, ‘You have to do it and I don’t know how you will’. I also desperately wanted to do it. He delayed the shooting by a week. So, that’s how I got the opportunity to do it,” said the former Miss World.

Irrfan Khan has also lent his voice in the hindi version of the movie.

The Jungle Book: Movie Review

Movie: The Jungle Book
Director Jon Favreau
Voice Cast: Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Neel Sethi

The Jungle Book Story
For those who’ve not read Rudyard Kipling’s book ‘The Jungle Book’ or haven’t seen the television series, here’s the story of the movie.

Mowgli (played by Neel Sethi), the main character, is raised by a family of wolves since birth, after the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) kills his father. Shere Khan is hell-bent on killing the man-cub, but is protected by the no-nonsense panther ‘Bagheera’ (Ben Kingsley) and a free-spirited bear ‘Baloo’ (Bill Murray). In the jungle, the young boy also escapes the clutches of a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape, thanks to Bagheera & baloo. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons that teaches him to fight back when adversity strikes.

Why should you watch it?
You should watch it for the top-grade graphics, sound effects, acting, voice-over. Everything about the movie is top-class, like a big-budget Hollywood movie.

The story might be old, but the packaging is entirely different, its a visual stunner.

Haven’t been to a movie with your little one in a long time? This is the perfect movie to watch and have some fun together.

Here are some more reviews by popular critics…

Review By:Rajeev Masand Site:CNN IBN
Good thing director Jon Favreau has the answer. In refashioning Disney’s seminal hit in live action, using the latest computer effects and a whole ensemble of Hollywood A-listers to provide voice-work, Favreau creates an entirely immersive world and a visually stunning film that brings something new to an old story.I’m going with four out of five for The Jungle Book. It’s a stunning visual achievement, and one that reminds you why you fell in love with these characters all those years ago. Don’t miss it.

Review By:Taran Adarsh Site:Twitter
TheJungleBook is a shining example of PHENOMENAL filmmaking. Loved the film in entirety. Flawless. An ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE… TheJungleBook transports you to a different world. Jon Favreau narrates a story that’s visually SPLENDID and thoroughly ENTERTAINING… A riveting plot combined with VFX and 3D makes #TheJungleBook a MUST MUST WATCH. Sure to captivate audience of all age groups.. NeelSethi as #Mowgli is INCREDIBLE. Voiceover of Priyanka, Om Puri, Irrfan, Nana, Shefali, Bugs add tremendous credibility #TheJungleBook

Review By:Saibal Chatterjee Site:NDTV
The Jungle Book is a classic genre film that harnesses the inherent strengths of the source material to rustle up a captivating drama that is both epic and intimate. Is it scary, as Pahlaj Nihalani would have us believe? Not the least bit, if one discounts a scene in which Shere Khan lunges at Mowgli. For sure, there isn’t a dull moment in The Jungle Book. It is a film for children and adults alike. Not to be missed.

Review By:Gavin Rasquinha Site:Times Of India
If you go to the cinema to watch a movie that will draw you into a fantasy world of wonder, Favreau’s retelling of this story – which so many of us remember from childhood – manages to weave that magic. But more than anything, the intricate landscaping, masterful camerawork and environment (actually filmed in Downtown Los Angeles) create a delightfully immersive experience. Heartwarming and enjoyable.

Review By:Shalini Langer Site:Indian Express
This is The Jungle Book reinvented for 2016 by a director who knows just how to mix the heavy blows with the light touch. It’s a little more reminiscent of the jungle and the book than the 1967 Disney classic, a lot, lot darker, and yet, ultimately as exuberant, with a surprisingly strong and novel message at the heart of it, in a story that already didn’t lack for them.

Also Read: ‘Jungle Book’ Author Rudyard Kipling’s Bungalow in India is a Tourist Attraction