Nov 14, 2026 11:00am IST
Vir Hirani to Voice Mowgli in AI-Generated ‘Jungle Book’ Film; Actor Draws Dubbing Offers (EXCLUSIVE)
Vir Hirani is set to take on a new role, this time behind the microphone. Variety India has learnt that the actor will voice Mowgli in an upcoming AI-generated Indian feature film inspired by "The Jungle Book". The project is being produced by Sripal Morakhia and directed by Soumitra Ranade, with a Hindi voice track.
The project marks another step in Hirani's early career, following his streaming debut as Pritam Parker in "Pritam & Pedro,” directed by Avinash Arun, which also starred Arshad Warsi and Vikrant Massey. In the series, Hirani plays Pritam, a character whose life takes an unexpected turn as he gets caught up in a cybercrime investigation.
His work on the show has also brought attention to his voice. An independent source tells Variety India that Hirani has been receiving offers for voice-over and dubbing assignments since the series' release, including approaches for animation projects. The source adds that his voice has caught the attention of listeners, with people also reaching out with requests for voice notes and ASMR recordings.
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The Mowgli role will give Hirani an opportunity to explore voice acting in a feature-length project. Unlike an on-screen performance, the work depends on vocal expression to establish a character's personality, emotions and relationship with the world around him. For a character as familiar as Mowgli, the challenge will also be to bring a fresh interpretation to a story that has been adapted for generations of audiences.
Ranade's involvement brings a filmmaker with experience in children's storytelling and animation to the project. He directed "Jajantaram Mamantaram" (2003), the fantasy adventure that blended live-action filmmaking with visual effects, and has also worked across animation and children's programming. His credits include work on "Goopi Gawaiyaa Bagha Bajaiyaa" and children's series such as "Karadi Tales" and "Bandbudh Aur Budbak".
The new project also places Hirani in a long line of Indian actors who have lent their voices to animated characters. Shah Rukh Khan voiced Mr Incredible, called Lajawab in the Hindi version of "The Incredibles," while his son Aryan Khan voiced Dash. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan played Romeo and Laila in "Roadside Romeo". Akshay Kumar voiced the elephant protagonist in "Jumbo," while Priyanka Chopra voiced Ishani in "Planes".
The Hindi version of Disney's "The Jungle Book" (2016) featured a notable ensemble of its own, with Irrfan Khan as Baloo, Om Puri as Bagheera, Nana Patekar as Shere Khan and Priyanka Chopra as Kaa. Salman Khan voiced adult Hanuman in "Hanuman: Da' Damdaar", while Amitabh Bachchan led the voice cast of the animated "Mahabharat" as Bhishma Pitamah.
More recently, Kajol voiced Elastigirl in "Incredibles 2", while Ananya Panday lent her voice to Riley in the Hindi version of "Inside Out 2". These projects have allowed established screen actors to bring their performances to animation, where voice, timing and characterisation carry much of the storytelling.
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