Neel Sethi photographed in Mumbai.
Mumbai:
He never had starry dreams, but still found a vestibule to showbiz amid the wilderness of an Indian jungle with The Jungle Book. Indian-American child artiste Neel Sethi, who plays the role of Mowgli in the film, said that he "never really thought about acting" and wanted to follow his parents' footsteps to dentistry.
"I never really thought about acting although I tried it out. Everybody thinks being famous would be really cool, but I think it's fun and I enjoy doing this. I always wanted to be a dentist because my parents are dentists and that's a lot of fun," Neel told IANS in an interview here.
The Jungle Book, which will release in India on April 8, a week before it releases in the US, is an advanced version of the eponymous 1967 animated film, and brings the story of Rudyard Kipling's 1864 timeless classic back onscreen.
Neel, with roots tracing back to Punjab, connects to Mowgli, and says that they both are similar in many ways.(Also Read: Old Sound in New Bottles: Jungle Jungle Baat Chali 2.0 and Others)
"I didn't really do any special thing. Actually, I was just myself because Mowgli and I are similar. We are both stubborn, free-spirited and when we put our mind to something, we will try to get it no matter what," said Neel.
"Since we are very similar, it was not difficult for me. But I had to grow my hair, and the team also gave me hair extensions. It wasn't that bad. It was pretty comfortable. It was a lot of fun. I just went along with the flow," Neel added.
The movie's trailers have already made him popular, but Neel says that he doesn't get any special star treatment from his parents.
"My friends saw the trailer and they think it was cool but they still treat me like a normal person. I don't get star treatment at home. They treat me the same," said the young actor, who shared his inclination towards Bollywood and said that he is fond of Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.
"I love Priyanka Chopra because she is also in Hollywood now. Besides, she also plays Kaa in the Hindi version of The Jungle Book. In Hollywood, I really like Chris Evans, because he is Captain America and I like Matthew Perry because of Friends," Neel said.
The Jungle Book showcases Mowgli's journey of self-discovery when he is forced to abandon his home in the forest. It is supported by voiceovers of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken.
Neel started shooting for the film when he was ten. He shares that director Jon Favreau helped him get into the skin of the character.
"It was like everything was blue and green and there were puppets that I was interacting with and Jon used to be with me. So, it was easier for me to act," added Neel.
"I never really thought about acting although I tried it out. Everybody thinks being famous would be really cool, but I think it's fun and I enjoy doing this. I always wanted to be a dentist because my parents are dentists and that's a lot of fun," Neel told IANS in an interview here.
The Jungle Book, which will release in India on April 8, a week before it releases in the US, is an advanced version of the eponymous 1967 animated film, and brings the story of Rudyard Kipling's 1864 timeless classic back onscreen.
Neel, with roots tracing back to Punjab, connects to Mowgli, and says that they both are similar in many ways.(Also Read: Old Sound in New Bottles: Jungle Jungle Baat Chali 2.0 and Others)
"I didn't really do any special thing. Actually, I was just myself because Mowgli and I are similar. We are both stubborn, free-spirited and when we put our mind to something, we will try to get it no matter what," said Neel.
"Since we are very similar, it was not difficult for me. But I had to grow my hair, and the team also gave me hair extensions. It wasn't that bad. It was pretty comfortable. It was a lot of fun. I just went along with the flow," Neel added.
The movie's trailers have already made him popular, but Neel says that he doesn't get any special star treatment from his parents.
"My friends saw the trailer and they think it was cool but they still treat me like a normal person. I don't get star treatment at home. They treat me the same," said the young actor, who shared his inclination towards Bollywood and said that he is fond of Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.
"I love Priyanka Chopra because she is also in Hollywood now. Besides, she also plays Kaa in the Hindi version of The Jungle Book. In Hollywood, I really like Chris Evans, because he is Captain America and I like Matthew Perry because of Friends," Neel said.
The Jungle Book showcases Mowgli's journey of self-discovery when he is forced to abandon his home in the forest. It is supported by voiceovers of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken.
Neel started shooting for the film when he was ten. He shares that director Jon Favreau helped him get into the skin of the character.
"It was like everything was blue and green and there were puppets that I was interacting with and Jon used to be with me. So, it was easier for me to act," added Neel.
