The Jungle Book

Summary

Rudyard Kipling's timeless story re-imagined as a gangland coming-of-age fable

In this radical radio reboot, Kipling's family classic is given a darker twist and reimagined in the concrete jungle of present-day India.

Born in a tenement block in Mumbai, orphan boy Mowgli is brought up by the Wolves, a gang of tough, streetwise petty criminals, and quickly learns how to survive in that world. But when the villainous politician Tiger Khan threatens his life, two residents of the block, the 'black panther' Bagheera and the 'bear' Baloo, offer to help him escape.

Leaving behind the only home he's ever known, Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery through the city, meeting 'creatures' along the way who don't always have his best interests at heart...

Dramatised by Ayeesha Menon, whose radio version of Midnight's Children won Best Adaptation at the 2018 Audio Drama Awards, this stunning audio retelling features Namit Das (A Suitable Boy) as Mo, with Bollywood stars Rajit Kapur and Shernaz Patel as Tiger Khan and Mrs Gupta.

Written and directed by Ayeesha Menon
Based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling
Produced by Nadir Khan
Executive producer: John Scott Dryden
Music by Sacha Puttnam
Recorded in India
A Goldhawk Production

Cast
Mo/Adult Mo - Namit Das
Tiger Khan - Rajit Kapur
Mrs Gupta - Shernaz Patel
Mr Gupta - Zafar Karachiwala
Bugs - Sukant Goel
Yuva - Abir Abrar
Kala/Adult Kala - Shikha Talsania
Rikita - Devika Shahani
Father Carvalho - Sohrab Ardeshir
Young Kala/ Rani - Preetika Chawla
Young Mo - Omkar Kulkarni
Dimple - Trisha Kale
Bobby - Alka Sharma
Varun/Boy - Ajitesh Gupta
Amma - Prerna Chawla
Raksha - hivani Tanksale
Rafiq/Naag - Tavish Bhattacharyya
Baldeo/Tabaqui/Purun Bhagat - Vivek Madan
Akhil - Nadir Khan

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 February-6 March 2021

© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd