MovieChat Forums > The Jungle Book (1994) Discussion > Why is the main character obviously an A...

Why is the main character obviously an Asian and not an Indian?


This movie has been largely forgotten. Rightfully so, its not very good. But one thing that stood out to me - why the heck is the main character Asian when all the rest of the people in the movie are Indian?? Its really funny to me, he looks completely different than his family members and fellow natives.

reply

I don't know why, either. Perhaps they figured they could cast any non-white actor in the role and get away with it without the audience noticing. It was a epic endeavour in miscasting, though, no doubt about it.

Standing there, on a road that leads to anywhere ...

reply

I think they did a good job in making him look Indian. To me, he does look like the other Indian actors.

Knawmean?!

reply

You know India is part of Asia, right? Or do they not teach that anymore?

reply

You're the dumbass, despite your attempt to be funny and insult others.

India is geographically part of Asia just as Egypt is part of Africa - that does not make Egyptians "black" by any means. Just like Mexico is part of North America - that does not make them white.

Indians have far darker skin than the other Asian countries, but also Caucasian features.

Last but not least, Mowgli's actor Jason Scott Lee is part-Chinese, part-Hawaiian and his character in the film was probably half-Indian.

reply

I was being whimsical.
I understood the question, but the wording reflected stupidity.
And I never called anyone a dumbass. But now that you
mention it...
Whoever said that all Africans are black? Or that all North Americans are white? That's just retarded, dude. Or dudette. I don't discriminate.

Be like a duck...remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneath. - Michael Caine

reply

There's no need for trollish name-calling.
And if you are in the UK, the word "Asian" by default refers to people from India and Pakistan.

reply

Just like Mexico is part of North America - that does not make them white.


Are you serious? 47% of Mexican citizens are Caucasian.

reply

Making him Asian made him an outsider to both the British and the Indians.

reply

In England we've been getting plenty of Nepalese immigrants recently... they look Chinese but with Indian clothes and accents. India is a huge diverse country.

And in England, 'Asian' actually means Indian - what Americans call 'Asian' is called 'Oriental' in England.

reply

Because people didn't care back then. Those were the days. Now we have PC twats arguing about racial film casts.


You're move, creep

reply

Yes, the days of casting an obviously non-Indian person in an Indian role. Anyone with basic knowledge of geography/ethnicity who isn't an ignorant, generalizing ass would notice how ridiculous this casting was. I suppose you wouldn't mind if a black or Asian man portrayed Bill Clinton in a biopic?

reply