'The Jungle Book' to hit Indian screens a week before US

Disney's "The Jungle Book", starring 12-year-old Indian-American Neel Sethi as Mowgli, has a special treat in store for Indian fans of the timeless tale. The film will come out in the Indian theatres on April 8, a week before it releases in the US.

"We are thrilled to confirm that Disney's all-new live-action epic, 'The Jungle Book', will be out in Indian theatres a week prior to the US release. We have a few more surprises in store for 'The Jungle Book' fans in India," Amrita Pandey -- vice president, Studios, Disney India, said in a statement.

Directed by "Iron Man" fame Jon Favreau, and featuring voices by iconic actors like Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba and Christopher Walken, "The Jungle Book" is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub raised in the jungle by a family of wolves.

Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery when he is forced to abandon the only home he has ever known.

It is based on the adventure stories penned by Rudyard Kipling and inspired by Disney's animated adaptation.

The movie blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using high-end technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences.

"Tales of 'The Jungle Book' have been an intrinsic part of most of our growing up years. Adventurous stories of Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa and Shere Khan are so beloved by the Indian audience," Pandey added.