Bagheera from Jungle Book’s like a general: Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley played Bagheera like a military general. He explains why.

Ben Kingsley, who voiced Bagheera in the live-adaptation version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale The Jungle Book, says the big cat mannerism was like that of a military personnel. Kingsley’s character does not sing, but the star thinks it suits Bagheera’s sensible manner, reported Contactmusic.

Ben Kingsley explains why Bagheera is a fan of tough love.

Read: The Jungle Book review

Ben Kingsley plays Bagheera in Jon Favreau’s live-action retelling of The Jungle Book.

“I think I hum along, towards the end, with the famous song. But, Bagheera is military. I don’t think he’s given to humming or singing. I see him as General Bagheera. Knowing that Kipling was born in India, I based my Bagheera on the kind of British officer who would be stationed in India, at the time of the Empire, who would have a lot of people under his command. He probably loves his men under his command, but he’s a tough love coach. That military side of him, I really warmed to,” Kingsley said.