‘Jungle Book’ star wants to play a new superhero

NEEL Sethi’s dream role would be to play a superhero.

The 12-year-old actor, who is making his acting debut playing the lead role of Mowgli in Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’, is keen to continue with his Hollywood career.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz on the green carpet at the European premiere of ‘The Jungle Book’, held at London’s BFI IMAX, on Wednesday, Sethi said: “It was so much fun, I didn’t get to work with all of them but I got to record with some of them. I saw them turn into character, which really helped me. I want to do a lot more acting — I think it would be a lot of fun. My dream role would be to be a new superhero, with definitely flying and invisibility superpowers — ahhh, no, no invisibility. I’d call myself Neel.”

The plucky youngster says his friends help to keep him “grounded” and he admits he still has to do his homework like any other young person.

He said: “I still have to do three hours homework every day but right now all my friends are taking the New York state test so it’s better than that.”

The film, which is released in cinemas on Friday follows the story of Mowgli, a young boy who has been raised by a family of wolves since his birth. He must leave the only home he’s ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a no-nonsense panther (Ben Kingsley) and a free-spirited bear (Bill Murray), the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smoothtalking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure

And when asked what he would spend his first pay cheque on, Sethi replied: “I don’t know ... I don’t even get that until I’m 18 — if you’re a kid then you join something — I don’t really know that much about it but I don’t get it (paid) until I’m 18, but it doesn’t matter.” — BANG Showbiz