Vishal Dadlani to sing for 'The Jungle Book'

Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani has been roped in by Disney India for the Hindi rendition of the "The bare necessities" song for the upcoming film "The Jungle Book". He says it's a privilege.

"The bare necessities" features Mowgli and Baloo, the friendly bear in 1967 animated film "The Jungle Book". It is written by Terry Gilkinson and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1967.

"I had mixed emotions when Disney approached me to sing Baloo's 'The bare necessities' for their upcoming Hindi version of 'The Jungle Book'," Dadlani said in a statement.

"It's a privilege that I can be a part of such a timeless song, but the original has been so hugely popular and hummable that matching that standard seems like a daunting task. I really hope people like my version of 'The bare necessities'," added Dadlani, who has been composing songs for Bollywood movies along with Shekhar Ravjiani, since over a decade.

The Hindi version of "The Jungle Book" has been characters voiced by popular Bollywood celebrities. Priyanka Chopra has lent her voice to the mysterious python Kaa, Irrfan Khan is the voice of the friendly bear Baloo, Nana Patekar has voiced the Bengal tiger Shere Khan, Shefali Shah has lent vocals to the wolf Raksha and Om Puri has stepped in for the character of black panther Bagheera.

"The Jungle Book" will release in India on April 8, a week before its US release.