The Jungle Book

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