Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar and his firstborn Aryan Khan will reprise their iconic roles as Mufasa and Simba respectively in Hindi version of Disney’s much anticipated prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King.’ Adding a touch of family to this project, the youngest member of the Khan clan, AbRam will be making his voice- acting debut by playing young Mufasa. This news was officially confirmed with release of its Hindi trailer that sent fans into frenzy of excitement and nostalgia. The grandeur and emotional depth of the story are visible in the trailer promising for a cinematic experience that will touch audiences across all generations.
Millions loved Shah Rukh Khan’s powerful voice and commanding presence as Mufasa in 2019 Hindi dubbed version of ‘The Lion King’. His performance as an enlightened crowd pleaser king garnered applause from every corner; thus, it made him unforgettable figure in this film’s history. In case you didn’t know, Aryan played young Simba while Shah Rukh took role of Mufasa what created such great on-screen chemistry between father-son duo like characters’ heartwarming bond.
However, there is something fresh, innocent in AbRam Khan’s voice which has added dimension to the character. This adorable little lion cub is going to make people fall in love with him all over again by melting hearts and creating new fans for himself.
“I relate very closely both as a father and also resonate with Mufasa’s journey in the movie,” says Shahrukh Khan, who adds “It’s been incredible being back in his shoes after all these years. Mufasa – The Lion King looks at his life right from childhood to becoming one of Africa’s greatest kings; revisiting this character has been amazing! Because my sons Aryan & AbRam have worked on it together with me it makes working for Disney even more special.”
According to Bikram Duggal, Head of Studios, Disney Star, “The ferocious Mufasa is more than just a character; he is a spirit that will continue to inspire people for generations and this has always been the essence of what Disney storytelling aims at. “Mufasa: The Lion King” was announced by Walt Disney Studios India where no one could imagine anyone else other than Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan returning as Mufasa and Simba respectively in our family entertainer. Additionally, AbRam joining the cast has made it even more special for us. Our intention here is that millions of Indians should actually enjoy this amazing story with their families!”
Disney Entertainment stole the show at D23: Ultimate Disney Fan Event held over the previous weekend with an impressive presentation of its forthcoming movies and serials. The night ended on a high note when highly anticipated prequel featuring origins of favorite king from Pride Lands referred to as The Lion King’s Mufasa was enthralling shown by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins who directed this movie.
The legacy of the original animated masterpiece honoring “Mufasa: The Lion King” which comes up in 1994 as it celebrates its 30th year anniversary. It takes after visuals used in 2019 live action remake which grossed $1.6 billion globally making it popular among many viewers around the globe.
One of the trailers is about Mufasa’s early life which explains his improbable ascendancy as one of the greatest kings ever. Rafiki, a sagacious monkey, through a fascinating narrative tells Kiara, who is Simba and Nala’s daughter, the story of Mufasa with comic relief provided by Timon and Pumbaa.
The narration unfolds in captivating flashbacks introducing an orphaned young cub called Mufasa who has no one to depend on. Destiny happens when he meets Taka who is a like-minded lion and also is next in line for the throne. It is this random meeting that sets Mufasa off on an adventure with his extraordinary friends who are all misfits looking for their places in life. The strength of their bond will be test as they confront intimidating adversaries and reach out for their own fulfillment.
Aside from the star-studded D23 presentation, The movie features an even more expansive cast. John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikelsen, Thandi Newton, Lennie James, Keith David, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter give voice to this enchanting tale.
The makers of this movie are just as impressive. Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak serve as producers while Peter Tobyansen serves as executive producer. Through combining live-action techniques with advanced computer graphics they have created something visually stunning never seen before.
On 20th December 2024 Mufasa: The Lion King roars into theaters. Indian audiences can celebrate the film’s release on the same date where it will be shown in English, Hindi Tamil and Telugu versions.
