Actor bags role in The Jungle Book
It is very stressful on set, but there is good directing.
Toti’s latest big screen star is Kingsway High School’s Hridhay Somera, who has been cast in the Warner Bros’ feature film ‘The Jungle Book’.
The grade 8 pupil plays one of the main village boys, after wowing the producers at the audition in March at the Hilton Hotel in Durban.
“I heard about the audition on radio,” said Hridhay. “We didn’t have to do any acting, they just asked us questions. It was quite interesting.”
Directed by Andy Serkis, a Hobbit actor making his directorial debut, the majority of the film is being shot in India, however some scenes are being filmed in Port Edward.
Hridhay was fortunate to not only meet the director, but also Hollywood star, Christian Bale, who visited the set to sign his contract. He has a voice-over part and according to Hridhay is “a very friendly guy”.
The production is being kept a closely guarded secret and Hridhay could not elaborate on the three scenes he has shot to date.
He returns to the Wild Coast Casino, where the cast and crew are staying during filming, on Wednesday, 13 May to shoot the following day.
“It is very stressful on set, but there is good directing,” said the young actor, who has appeared in the lead role in two of his primary school plays.
“It has been a good experience, but tough with exams coming up.”
Children on set are tutored, but Hridhay believes he needs extra focus on his schoolwork if he is to continue as his grade’s top pupil.
He has featured in the news previously as a spelling whiz at Umkomaas Primary School, but will sit out the spelling competition this year to focus on his schoolwork.
Disney’s The Jungle Book is set for release on 3 October 2017.
“I’m very excited to see myself on the big screen, but it is so far in the future, I hope I don’t forget to watch,” he said.
