The Jungle Book's Neel Sethi on becoming Mowgli

Imagine you're 12,you'rea newbie actor starringin a beloved pop-culture property and you're all alone in a studio. It's just you, theblue screenand your imagination.

That was the challenge facing Neel Sethi, who hasslipped into Mowgli'sloincloth forDisney's new live-action, multimillion-dollarremake of The Jungle Book.

Inspired by the1967 cartoon classic, this Jungle Book is populated by talkinganimalsvoiced by awho's who of Hollywood:Idris Elba as the tigerShere Khan,Scarlet Johanssonas a seductive snake andBill Murray as the bumbling bearBaloo.

But nearlyeverything onscreen from the animals to the lush Indian jungleis computer-animated. The only flesh-and-blood actor whoappearsisSethi, who spent the entire productionin a Los Angeles studio with director Jon Favreauguiding him.

"It felt kind ofweird, when I watched the full product and everything was finished," Sethi said of seeing the film,after having solely relied on his imagination for his performance.

"Those animals weren't really there, but they looked like they were."

Walt Disney Studios recruited puppeteers from the Jim Henson Creature Shop to give him partnersto act with. Sometimes he performedoppositeactualpuppets.Other times it wasjust a puppeteer'shands that gaveSethian eyeline something to look at.

For action scenes designers constructed elaborate sets where hecould run, jump and swing on vines that would be blended seamlessly into the finishedproduct.

Creative direction

But there was one time Sethi's imagination wasn't up to the task: ata critical moment, where Shere Khan explodes out from the tallgrass to pounce on the mancub.

"Iwasn't getting the reactionright," Sethi recalled.

Unbeknownst to the young star,Favreauhad hidden in the spot where the imaginary tiger would be.

"Jon was behind me and I didn't know this, so I look back and Jon was there and then hescreamed at the top of lungs and I jumped I was so scared. It was crazy."

Sethi, who acknowledges thatthe stunt was a little unfair, notedthat it was the take used in the film.

I didn't know acting.He taught me everything I know.- Neel Sethi on director Jon Favreau

The movie has been a steeplearning curve for the youngsterfrom New York City.The Jungle Book is only his second professional actingcredit, but hesaid he picked up a lot working with Favreau,who also helmedIron Man and Elf.

"I didn't know acting.He taught me everything I know now.He taught me not to overact, to be very subtle. If something's coming at you, do what you would normally do."

Too scary?

The Jungle Book opens across Canada on April 15,but in India,where it's already in theatres,the censor board is requiring parents to accompany children under the age of 12 due to some intense scenes.

The 12-year-old Sethithinks the Indiancensors are overreacting.

"All the dark, tense scenes there is always some joke.Baloo will say something funnyor something like thatand it will break it and everything will bemellow and nice," he said.

Regarding his future in the industry, Sethi has epic ambitions. As well as continuing asan actor, he wants to bea dentist, a basketball player, a football player and a baseball player.

Disney might have a say in that:the studio has already begun worktowardsa sequel.