Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli on Doordarshan – Hindi Dub, Broadcast History & 90s Episode Guide
History of The Jungle Book anime series in India from 90s Doordarshan to late 2000s.

In the early 1990s, Indian television audiences witnessed something magical — The Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli on Doordarshan (DD National). The anime adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories, produced by Nippon Animation in Japan, became a cultural milestone for an entire generation of Indian viewers.

With its unforgettable Hindi theme song “Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai” composed by Vishal Bhardwaj and written by Gulzar, the show turned Mowgli, Bagheera, Baloo, and Sher Khan into household names. Each Sunday morning, homes across India tuned in eagerly to follow Mowgli’s adventures in the jungles of Seoni — blending Japanese storytelling with Indian nostalgia like never before.

This article chronicles the complete broadcast history of Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli on Doordarshan, featuring original Japanese and Indian air dates, rerun details, and insights into the Hindi dubbed version that defined 90s childhood.

About the Original Series

The Jungle Book: Shonen Mowgli (ジャングルブック 少年モーグリ) is a 52-episode anime television series co-produced by the Italian studios Mondo TV and Doro TV Merchandising, in association with the Japanese animation studio Nippon Animation. The series was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and aired on TV Tokyo from October 2, 1989, to October 29, 1990.

It was the first animated television project developed by Doro TV Merchandising in 1989. Mondo TV handled international distribution, and Nippon Animation oversaw production.

The show reimagines Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book with deeper emotional storytelling and a strong emphasis on themes of belonging, identity, and nature. Mowgli’s bond with the animals of the jungle — from his mentors Baloo and Bagheera to his fierce nemesis Sher Khan — is explored with heart and maturity, making it one of the most faithful yet touching adaptations of Kipling’s classic tale.

The Jungle Book on DD National (India)

The Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli made its Indian television debut on Doordarshan (DD National) in 1992, introducing Indian audiences to one of the most beloved anime adaptations ever. The Hindi-dubbed version was initially marketed under the title “Jungle Ki Kahani” (जंगल की कहानी) in early on-air promos before it became widely recognized simply as “The Jungle Book.”

The series began airing on November 1, 1992, and continued until October 24, 1993, broadcasting all 52 episodes every Sunday at 10:00 AM. Its Hindi adaptation, featuring memorable voice performances and the iconic title song, turned the show into a national phenomenon, loved by children and families alike.

It is the first Hindi-dubbed anime series to air on Indian television and one of the earliest anime shows ever to broadcast in India. Its success paved the way for later Japanese animations like Fushigi no Kuni no Alice (Alice in Wonderland) and Sinbad no Bouken (Sindbad Jahazi) to find a place on 90s Indian TV.

With its heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and strong emotional core, The Jungle Book became one of the most-watched animated series on 1990s Indian television, leaving a nostalgic legacy that continues to resonate with viewers even decades later.

Hindi Dub Voice Cast (Doordarshan)

The Hindi dub voice cast was partially listed in the end titles of the Doordarshan broadcast. The following names have been confirmed:

Other confirmed Hindi voice actors who worked on the series include Kamlakar Sontakke, Deepa Sahi, Veerendra Saxena, and Devashish Shedge, though their specific character roles have not been officially identified.

Opening Song (Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai)

While the Japanese version of The Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli featured the opening theme “GET UP ~Ai o Shinjite” (GET UP～愛を信じて) performed by Toshiya Igarashi, and the English international version used “Look Up” by Suzi Marsh, the Hindi adaptation took a completely original route.

For the Indian broadcast, the entire opening theme was rewritten and recomposed from scratch, resulting in one of the most iconic cartoon songs in Indian television history — “Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai.”

Penned by Gulzar and composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the song captured the playful charm and adventurous spirit of Mowgli’s jungle world. It was performed by a group of child singers, with one of the lead voices belonging to Amol Sahdev.

Even decades later, “Chaddi Pehen Ke Phool Khila Hai” remains an instantly recognizable line that evokes deep nostalgia among those watching The Jungle Book on Doordarshan.

SEE ALSO: Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai Lyrics: The Jungle Book Hindi Song (90s)

Episode Guide & Airdates

📝Note: All Indian broadcast airdates listed above have been verified using original Doordarshan TV schedule listings published in The Indian Express and The Sunday Times of India between November 1992 and October 1993.

Sources & Archival Verification (Indian Broadcast)

Indian Television Premiere (Archival Verification):
The Jungle Book (Jungle ki Kahani) premiered on Doordarshan (DD-1 National) on November 1, 1992, at 10:10 AM. The listings below, from The Sunday Times of India (Bombay) and The Indian Express (Madras), confirm the series’ national telecast under both its Hindi and English titles.

Broadcast History & Re-runs (India)

After its original telecast on DD National in 1992–93, The Jungle Book continued to find new audiences through multiple re-runs across various Indian television channels over the decades.

Channel (Logo)	Channel Name	Broadcast Year	Remarks/ Notes
	DD-1: National	1992 – 1993	First Indian Broadcast Premiere: 1 Nov, 1992 Schedule: Sunday 10:00 AM
	DD-2: Metro	1993 – 1994	Premiere: 21 Nov, 1993 Schedule: Sunday 7:30 PM
	Zee TV	1998	Schedule: Sunday Mornings
	Sahara Manoranjan	2003 – 2004	Premiere: 6 Jun, 2003 Schedule: Mon-Fri 6:30 PM
	Filmy	2007 – 2008	Premiere: 15 Jul, 2007 Schedule: Sunday 10:00 AM
	POGO TV	2009	Premiere: 6 Apr, 2009 Schedule: Mon-Fri 5:30 PM
	DD National	2020	New WowKidz Hindi-Dub Premiere: 8 Apr, 2020 Schedule: Daily 1:00 PM

Notes & Background

• The original DD National Hindi dub, produced in the early 1990s, remained the most iconic version. The same dub was repeatedly used in re-runs on different channels until 2009.
• By the late 2010s, Cosmos Maya’s digital brand “WowKidz” commissioned a new Hindi dub, which premiered on YouTube under channels like WowKidz Hindi, WowKahani, WowKidz Movies, and more.
• In 2020, during India’s national lockdown, DD National re-aired The Jungle Book as part of its retro revival lineup of classic shows. However, this re-broadcast featured the new WowKidz dub instead of the beloved 90s version — drawing noticeable criticism from nostalgic viewers on social media.

Main Characters – Original vs Hindi Dub

For the Indian broadcast on Doordarshan, many character names in The Jungle Book Shounen Mowgli were localized into Hindi to better connect with Indian audiences. While the story and character roles remained unchanged, several names were adapted to sound more familiar to viewers in India.

Key Summary (Release Details)