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|personality = Serious, practical, introverted, strict at times, mature, flirtatious, brainy, kind, caring, sensible, sweet, feminine, selfless, easily irritated, gallant
 
|personality = Serious, practical, introverted, strict at times, mature, flirtatious, brainy, kind, caring, sensible, sweet, feminine, selfless, easily irritated, gallant
 
|appearance = Slender, preteen, olive skin, pink lips, long black hair braided in a ponytail, brown eyes
 
|appearance = Slender, preteen, olive skin, pink lips, long black hair braided in a ponytail, brown eyes
|occupation = Water collector for her village
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|occupation = Laborer
 
|alignment = Good
 
|alignment = Good
 
|goal = To live a peaceful and prosperous life in the Man Village
 
|goal = To live a peaceful and prosperous life in the Man Village
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To conquer her fear of the wild (succeeded)
|home = [[Man Village]] in [[India]]
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|home = [[Man Village]] in Seoni, [[India]]
 
|family = [[Shanti's Mother|Unnamed mother]]<br>Unnamed father (mentioned)
 
|family = [[Shanti's Mother|Unnamed mother]]<br>Unnamed father (mentioned)
|friends = [[Mowgli]], [[Baloo]], [[Ranjan]], [[Bagheera]], [[Messua]], [[Shanti's Mother|her mother]]
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|friends = [[Mowgli]] (boyfriend), [[Baloo]], [[Ranjan]], [[Bagheera]], [[Messua]], [[Shanti's Mother|her mother]]
 
|enemies = [[Shere Khan]], [[Kaa]], [[Baloo]] (formerly)
 
|enemies = [[Shere Khan]], [[Kaa]], [[Baloo]] (formerly)
|likes = Mowgli, shadow puppet shows, the jungle, dancing, music, fantasies
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|likes = Spending time with Mowgli, shadow puppet shows, the jungle, dancing, music, fantasies
|dislikes = The jungle (formerly), breaking rules, snakes, tigers
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|dislikes = The jungle (formerly), breaking rules, pranks
|quote = "Father's hunting in the forest, Mother's cooking in the home, I must go to fetch the water, Till the day that I am grown."}}'''Shanti''' (originally known as '''The Girl''') is a minor character in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s [[1967]] animated feature film ''[[The Jungle Book]]'', and the tritagonist of the ''[[The Jungle Book 2]]''. She is a little girl from the [[Man Village]] known for her lovely singing voice. When Mowgli the man-cub first encounters Shanti, he becomes so entranced by her beauty that he decides to leave the [[Jungle (Jungle Book)|jungle]] in favor of living amongst humans in the village.
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|quote = "Father's hunting in the forest, Mother's cooking in the home, I must go to fetch the water, Till the day that I am grown."}}
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'''Shanti''' (originally known as '''The Girl''') is a minor character in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s [[1967]] animated feature film, ''[[The Jungle Book]]'', and the tritagonist of the ''[[The Jungle Book 2]]''. She is a little girl from the [[Man Village]] known for her lovely singing voice and beautiful eyes. When Mowgli the man-cub first encounters Shanti, he becomes so entranced by her beauty that he decides to leave the [[Jungle (Jungle Book)|jungle]] in favor of living amongst humans in the village.
   
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
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===Personality===
 
===Personality===
Shanti is best described as a sweet, introverted, loyal, rational and hard-working young girl who lives an organized life and has great respect for rules, which she considers essential to a peaceful and prosperous life. She has a very obvious crush on [[Mowgli]] (a feeling he reciprocates) and finds him charming, despite disapproving of his occasional rebelliousness. For a long time, Shanti was terrified of the jungle in contrast to Mowgli's obsession with it and could not bear the thought of all the potential dangers that might be there, preferring to stay in a safe environment at all times instead. Despite this apparent faint-hearted nature, Shanti is very courageous deep inside but never found the right motivation to nurture her potential until Mowgli entered her life. That time came when she forced herself out of her comfort zone and entered the jungle to save Mowgli, whom she believed was kidnapped, and managed to conquer her fear of the jungle as a result.
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Shanti is best described as a sweet, introverted, loyal, rational and hard-working young girl who lives an organized life and has great respect for rules, which she considers essential to a peaceful and prosperous life. She has a very obvious crush on [[Mowgli]] (a feeling he reciprocates) and finds him charming, despite disapproving of his occasional rebelliousness. For a long time, Shanti suffered from agrizoophobia (fear of wild animals) and could not bear the thought of all the potential dangers that might be in the jungle, preferring to stay in a safe environment at all times instead. Despite this apparent faint-hearted nature, Shanti is very courageous deep inside but never found the right motivation to nurture her potential until Mowgli entered her life. That time came when she forced herself out of her comfort zone and entered the jungle to save Mowgli, whom she believed was kidnapped.
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Shanti would soon confront her deepest fear when she was hypnotized by Kaa. After Ranjan saved her from the snake, Shanti shows considerably less symptoms of her agrizoophobia, suggesting that her encounter with Kaa may have worked on her like an exposure therapy. She also gradually shows more confidence in the jungle, such as being able to focus more on finding Mowgli instead of maintaining vigilance and finding the courage to defend herself, Mowgli and Ranjan when Baloo "attacked" them, rather than panicking like she did the night before. After the skirmish with Shere Khan, Shanti was finally purged of her agrizoophobia for good.
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Despite Shanti's initial fear of wild animals, she displayed no desire to harm them. This is shown when she told Ranjan to leave Kaa alone, despite knowing he tried to eat her moments before. This also shows that Shanti is a forgiving person even to those who have wronged her, as demonstrated by her reaction to the prank Mowgli and Ranjan played on her. After being pushed into the village river and left soaking wet, Shanti scolded Mowgli for the cruel mischief but held no grudge against him, showcasing her maturity. However, when she found out that Mowgli tried to have Baloo scare her away in case she found him, she was truly hurt and found it difficult to forgive the boy to the point where she refused to listen to Mowgli's attempts to explain himself.
   
 
Shanti and Mowgli both have different opinions on the jungle, usually leading to friendly or sometimes serious arguments. In many ways, Shanti's mindset is the opposite of Mowgli's. While Mowgli is rebellious, wild, naïve and carefree, Shanti is compliant, civilized, mature and responsible. Despite that, Mowgli has had a rather positive influence on Shanti and vice versa. Mowgli has inspired Shanti to become braver while Shanti has inspired Mowgli to embrace responsibility and work ethics. The two learning from each other proved to be a key factor in developing their relationship.
 
Shanti and Mowgli both have different opinions on the jungle, usually leading to friendly or sometimes serious arguments. In many ways, Shanti's mindset is the opposite of Mowgli's. While Mowgli is rebellious, wild, naïve and carefree, Shanti is compliant, civilized, mature and responsible. Despite that, Mowgli has had a rather positive influence on Shanti and vice versa. Mowgli has inspired Shanti to become braver while Shanti has inspired Mowgli to embrace responsibility and work ethics. The two learning from each other proved to be a key factor in developing their relationship.
   
Despite Shanti's serious nature, she is far from being devoid of child-like traits and often displays her playful side. Especially around Mowgli, who is capable of charming her into loosening up and letting out her fun-loving side, and occasionally she enjoys flirting with him, usually by blinking her eyes at him to remind him of the day they first met and knowing Mowgli has a soft spot for her beautiful eyes. Despite her flirtatious attitude, Shanti tends to deny her true feelings for Mowgli when she is around other people, fearing it would make her a subject of mockery.
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Despite Shanti's serious nature, she is far from being devoid of child-like traits and often displays her playful side. Especially around Mowgli, who is capable of charming her into loosening up and letting out her fun-loving side, and occasionally she enjoys flirting with him. Despite her flirtatious attitude, Shanti tends to deny her true feelings for Mowgli when she is around other people, fearing it would make her a subject of mockery.
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An introvert, Shanti generally prefers to keep her thoughts to herself, though she is comfortable with expressing her feelings to someone she can trust. She is also somewhat self-conscious about her appearance and actions. As such, she is not as sociable as most of her peers and only expresses her deepest fantasies about her adulthood when she is, or thinks she is, alone. Nevertheless, Shanti is impressed by Mowgli's popularity among the village children and gladly participates in entertaining activities set up by Mowgli, though usually only after Mowgli has managed to charm her. After successfully amusing her, Shanti usually shows her appreciation and gratitude by blinking her eyes at Mowgli to remind him of the day they first met, knowing the boy has a soft spot for her beautiful eyes.
   
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Although she enjoys good stories and fantasies, Shanti is somewhat down-to-earth and was very skeptical about the possibility of Mowgli being actually raised in the jungle and having befriended a bear and a panther. As such, she initially assumed Mowgli was simply an orphan from a different faraway village who got lost in the jungle and that his stories were either made up or exaggerated in order to gain popularity. Once she was introduced to Baloo and Bagheera, however, she realized Mowgli's stories were all true.
An introvert, Shanti generally prefers to keep her thoughts to herself, though she is comfortable with expressing her feelings to someone she can trust. She is also somewhat self-conscious about her appearance and actions. As such, she is not as sociable as most of her peers and only expresses her deepest fantasies about her adulthood when she is, or thinks she is, alone. Nevertheless, Shanti is impressed by Mowgli's popularity among the village children and gladly participates in entertaining activities set up by Mowgli, though usually only after Mowgli has managed to charm her.
 
   
 
Even though there is no relation, Shanti treats Mowgli's adoptive brother [[Ranjan]] as if he were her own, most likely because of [[Shanti's Mother|her mother's]] and [[Messua|Messua's]] close friendship. She takes some of her time to teach Ranjan how to behave and stay safe and tries to convince him that she's a better role model than Mowgli.
 
Even though there is no relation, Shanti treats Mowgli's adoptive brother [[Ranjan]] as if he were her own, most likely because of [[Shanti's Mother|her mother's]] and [[Messua|Messua's]] close friendship. She takes some of her time to teach Ranjan how to behave and stay safe and tries to convince him that she's a better role model than Mowgli.
   
 
===Physical appearance===
 
===Physical appearance===
Shanti is a slender prepubescent beautiful girl with olive skin, brown eyes, long sleek black hair, red bindi on her forehead, and gold hoop earrings.
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Shanti is a preteen, slender and a very beautiful girl with olive skin, brown eyes, long sleek black hair, black eyebrows, red bindi on her forehead, and gold hoop earrings.
   
 
In ''The Jungle Book'', Shanti wore a pink dress with a red waist belt and her hair was tied into pigtails by pink bows.
 
In ''The Jungle Book'', Shanti wore a pink dress with a red waist belt and her hair was tied into pigtails by pink bows.
   
In ''The Jungle Book 2'', her appearance was updated. This time historically accurate to how Indian girls at her age commonly dressed in the late 19th century. She retains her bindi, earrings and is still barefoot but wears an indigo-colored lehenga skirt, a cream yellow choli that exposes her midriff and her hair has a conventional Indian style, braided in a ponytail.
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In ''The Jungle Book 2'', her appearance was updated. This time historically accurate to how Indian girls at her age commonly dressed in the late 19th century. She retains her bindi, earrings and is still barefoot but wears an indigo lehenga skirt made from cotton, a cream yellow choli that exposes her midriff and her hair has a conventional Indian style, braided in a ponytail.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
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===''[[The Jungle Book 2]]''===
 
===''[[The Jungle Book 2]]''===
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-4782.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Shanti in ''The Jungle Book 2''.]]
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-4782.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Shanti in ''The Jungle Book 2''.]]
Shanti serves as the tritagonist of ''The Jungle Book 2''. Since the end of the original film, Shanti has developed a close friendship with Mowgli and has been tasked with guiding him through the work hours, allowing the two to interact and bond on a daily basis. At the beginning of the film, Mowgli tells the story of his life in the jungle to his new foster family, Shanti and [[Shanti's Mother|her mother]] in the form of a shadow puppet show. Despite being entertained, Shanti expresses a small degree of skepticism when Mowgli states that his closest friends were a panther and a bear. Although [[Ranjan]] accidentally ruins the show, the audience laugh it off. Mowgli wonders how he will be able to finish the story but Ranjan thinks it is unnecessary as the audience already knows the ending as he reminds everyone how Mowgli fell for Shanti's eyes and followed her into the village. Shanti is quick to deny this but Mowgli gleefully recalls the day they first met, leading to the two exchanging flirtatious remarks. [[Ranjan's father]], aware of their feelings for each other, tells Shanti that she has nothing to be embarrassed about and that he is grateful to her for bringing Mowgli to their lives. As Shanti and her mother are about to go home, Mowgli mischievously plays on her fears by warning her about Shere Khan lurking around, making her uneasy at first but quickly brushes it off by debunking the probability of such things happening.
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Shanti serves as the tritagonist of ''The Jungle Book 2'', taking place two years after ''The Jungle Book''. Since the end of the original film, Shanti has developed a close friendship with Mowgli and has been tasked with guiding him through the work hours, allowing the two to interact and bond on a daily basis. At the beginning of the film, Mowgli tells the story of his life in the jungle to his new foster family, Shanti and [[Shanti's Mother|her mother]] in the form of a shadow puppet show. Despite being entertained, Shanti expresses a small degree of skepticism when Mowgli states that his closest friends were a panther and a bear. Although [[Ranjan]] accidentally ruins the show, the audience laugh it off. Mowgli wonders how he will be able to finish the story but Ranjan thinks it is unnecessary as the audience already knows the ending as he reminds everyone how Mowgli fell for Shanti's eyes and followed her into the village. Shanti is quick to deny this but Mowgli gleefully recalls the day they first met, leading to the two exchanging flirtatious remarks. [[Ranjan's father]], aware of their feelings for each other, tells Shanti that she has nothing to be embarrassed about and that he is grateful to her for bringing Mowgli to their lives. As Shanti and her mother are about to go home, Mowgli mischievously plays on her fears by warning her about Shere Khan lurking around, making her uneasy at first but quickly brushes it off by debunking the probability of such things happening. Once she is out of earshot, Mowgli and Ranjan plan to pull a prank on the girl the next morning.
   
 
[[File:Mowgli and Shanti having loves of fun.png|thumb|250px|Mowgli and Shanti holding hands.]]
 
[[File:Mowgli and Shanti having loves of fun.png|thumb|250px|Mowgli and Shanti holding hands.]]
The next morning, Shanti heads to the river to collect water. As she is about to bring it back, Mowgli and Ranjan pull a prank on her that ends with her falling in the river. Enraged, she deems Mowgli a bad influence on Ranjan and takes him back to the village to lecture him. Ranjan questions Shanti's fear of the jungle but her only reply is that it is dangerous. Her answer confuses Ranjan as it contradicts what Mowgli has told him about the jungle. Shanti warns him not to believe everything Mowgli tells him, suspecting he may have exaggerated his experience in the jungle. Knowing she has a crush on Mowgli, Ranjan is surprised to hear her doubts about him. Shanti admits she does like Mowgli as more than a friend but stops talking as she realizes Mowgli heard her, prompting her to blush in embarrassment. Mowgli attempts to convince his friend and brother that the jungle offers a life that the village cannot and demonstrates this by showing them a peeling trick. Shanti is unimpressed and debunks Mowgli's point by demonstrating an even more impressive peeling trick on a mango and reiterates her earlier statement about not listening to everything Mowgli says. Mowgli insists that Shanti is speaking out of ignorance and tells every present child that there is so much more to the jungle than just danger. Though skeptical, Shanti is amused by Mowgli's charisma and plays along as he rallies the village children until she notices he is trying to lead them into the jungle. She panics and inadvertently alerts Ranjan's father, who grounds Mowgli for his disobedience. She tries to apologize but Mowgli gives her the silent treatment. Later that night, Shanti, feeling guilty for getting Mowgli into trouble, brings a bowl of fruit to Mowgli's hut to make amends.
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Morning comes and the boys notice Shanti humming "My Own Home" as she heads to the river and follow her. As she fetches water, Mowgli and Ranjan surprise her so she falls into the river and the boys laugh at the now-soaking wet Shanti. Enraged, she heads back to the village to dry off and takes Ranjan with her after deeming Mowgli a bad influence on him. Ranjan questions Shanti's fear of the jungle but her only reply is that it is dangerous. Her answer confuses Ranjan as it contradicts what Mowgli has told him about the jungle. Shanti warns him not to believe everything Mowgli tells him, suspecting he may have exaggerated his experience in the jungle. Knowing she has a crush on Mowgli, Ranjan is surprised to hear her doubts about him. Shanti admits she does like Mowgli as more than a friend but stops talking as she realizes Mowgli heard her, prompting her to blush in embarrassment. Mowgli attempts to convince his friend and brother that the jungle offers a life that the village cannot and demonstrates this by showing them a peeling trick. Shanti is unimpressed and debunks Mowgli's point by demonstrating an even more impressive peeling trick on a mango and reiterates her earlier statement about not listening to everything Mowgli says. Mowgli insists that Shanti is speaking out of ignorance and tells every present child that there is so much more to the jungle than just danger. Though skeptical, Shanti is amused by Mowgli's charisma and plays along as he rallies the village children until she notices he is trying to lead them into the jungle. She panics and inadvertently alerts Ranjan's father, who grounds Mowgli for his disobedience. She tries to apologize but Mowgli refuses to talk to her. Later that night, Shanti, feeling guilty for getting Mowgli into trouble, brings a bowl of fruit to Mowgli's hut to make amends.
   
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-2926.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Believing her friend was kidnapped, Shanti fights her fear of the jungle and sets off to look for Mowgli.]]
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-2926.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Believing her friend was kidnapped, Shanti fights her fear of the jungle and sets off to look for Mowgli.]]
Little does she know [[Shere Khan]] is waiting in the shadows of the village for Mowgli. Shanti soon finds Mowgli with [[Baloo]] and shouts at the sight of the bear and alerts the villagers of a wild animal. This awakens the villagers and they attack Shere Khan, thinking him to be the animal Shanti is referring to. During the havoc, Shanti sees Baloo and Mowgli flee for the jungle and the villagers are too preoccupied with Shere Khan to listen to her. Desperate and believing that Mowgli is being kidnapped, Shanti pursues them on her own, unaware that Ranjan is following her. She hesitates by the river as she sees Baloo running into the jungle but forces herself to go in after them for Mowgli's sake. In the jungle, Shanti finds herself facing her worst nightmare as she heads deeper into the wilderness and encounters various frightening nocturnal creatures. She waves her torch in every direction to defend herself but unfortunately, this tactic backfires when she accidentally burns [[Kaa]] and exposes herself to him. The ravenous python begins stalking the girl and waits for the right moment to trap her.
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Little does she know [[Shere Khan]] is waiting in the shadows of the village for Mowgli. Shanti soon finds Mowgli with [[Baloo]] and shouts at the sight of the bear and alerts the villagers of a wild animal. This awakens the villagers and they attack Shere Khan, thinking him to be the animal Shanti is referring to. During the havoc, Shanti sees Baloo and Mowgli flee for the jungle and the villagers are too preoccupied with Shere Khan to listen to her. Desperate and believing that Mowgli is being kidnapped, Shanti pursues them on her own, unaware that Ranjan is following her. She hesitates by the river as she sees Baloo running into the jungle but forces herself to go in after them for Mowgli's sake. In the jungle, Shanti's agrizoophobia kicks in as she heads deeper into the wilderness and encounters various frightening nocturnal creatures. She waves her torch in every direction to defend herself but unfortunately, this tactic backfires when she accidentally burns [[Kaa]] and exposes herself to him. The ravenous python begins stalking the girl and waits for the right moment to trap her.
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-3607.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Shanti being hypnotized by Kaa.]]
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[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-3591.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Kaa hypnotizes Shanti, making her worst nightmare come true as she stands helpless before a dangerous jungle predator.]]
Once Shanti realizes she is not alone, Kaa reveals himself to the girl and due to her poor survival skills, the snake is easily able to frighten her into looking directly into his eyes and hypnotize her. Shanti drops her torch, leaving her defenseless, and falls into a complete trance. Kaa taunts her by playfully stroking her hair and condescendingly asking her if she is lost and hungry while making her nod to his questions. He then whispers into her ear that he is starving, bragging about her impending doom as he makes the helpless girl position herself to be eaten by him. Fortunately, Ranjan saves her life by pulling her away from the snake's jaws and begins beating him up with a stick. Shanti hits the ground and instantly snaps out of her trance while Ranjan chases Kaa away. She is about to take Ranjan back to the village before he convinces her to let him help her.
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Once Shanti realizes she is not alone, she faces her worst nightmare when Kaa reveals himself to the girl and due to her poor survival skills, the snake is easily able to frighten her into looking directly into his eyes and hypnotize her. Shanti drops her torch, leaving her defenseless, and falls into a complete trance. Kaa taunts her by playfully stroking her hair and condescendingly asking her if she is lost and hungry while making her nod her head to his questions. Having teased her enough, Kaa whispers into her ear that he is starving, bragging about her impending doom as he makes the helpless girl position herself to be eaten by him. Fortunately, Ranjan saves her life by pulling her away from the snake's jaws and begins beating him up with a stick. Shanti hits the ground and instantly snaps out of her trance, waking up in confusion while Ranjan chases Kaa away. She is about to take Ranjan back to the village before he convinces her to let him help her.
   
 
The next day, as they still search for Mowgli, Shanti realizes that she is completely lost and is out of ideas until Ranjan finds several curly-shaped mango peelings, which Shanti recognizes as the peeling trick she taught him earlier and concludes that her friend is not far.
 
The next day, as they still search for Mowgli, Shanti realizes that she is completely lost and is out of ideas until Ranjan finds several curly-shaped mango peelings, which Shanti recognizes as the peeling trick she taught him earlier and concludes that her friend is not far.
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That same evening, she finds Mowgli sitting on a tree branch and rushes to him, overjoyed. She catches Mowgli by surprise and the boy falls down and gets tangled up in the vines hanging from the tree. As Shanti and Ranjan try to free him, Shanti asks where Mowgli's "kidnapper" is. Mowgli is about to dodge the issue when Baloo suddenly arrives at the scene and attempts to scare Shanti away only to be caught in the vines and get punched in the nose by the girl.
 
That same evening, she finds Mowgli sitting on a tree branch and rushes to him, overjoyed. She catches Mowgli by surprise and the boy falls down and gets tangled up in the vines hanging from the tree. As Shanti and Ranjan try to free him, Shanti asks where Mowgli's "kidnapper" is. Mowgli is about to dodge the issue when Baloo suddenly arrives at the scene and attempts to scare Shanti away only to be caught in the vines and get punched in the nose by the girl.
   
Mowgli chastises Baloo for scaring his friend, but the confused bear recalls Mowgli being the one who told him to do so, much to Shanti and Ranjan's surprise. Mowgli regrettably admits that he did in fact plan this, which breaks Shanti's heart and she runs off with Ranjan in a tow. Baloo confronts Mowgli about his indecisiveness and reiterates his statement that Shanti is nothing but trouble. Mowgli denies his claim and goes after Shanti and Ranjan to apologize but finds them standing in fear as Shere Khan has found them. Mowgli tells them to run to safety as the tiger approaches. Mowgli then throws dust at his eyes, and runs. Shere Khan goes after him. Mowgli tells Shanti and Ranjan to stay hidden and continues to run. Shanti's concern for Mowgli allows her to conquer her fear of wild animals and runs after him but orders Ranjan to stay hidden until she comes back. Ranjan attempts to follow her but encounters Baloo and warns him of what is happening. At the same time, Bagheera encounters the two and assists them. Shere Khan chases Mowgli and Shanti to an ancient temple where they are separated and forced to hide in the shadows. Bagheera looks after Ranjan while Baloo rushes to the temple in order to aid the children.
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Mowgli chastises Baloo for scaring his friend, but the confused bear recalls Mowgli being the one who told him to do so, much to Shanti and Ranjan's surprise. Mowgli regrettably admits that he did in fact plan this, which breaks Shanti's heart and on the verge of tears she runs off with Ranjan in a tow. Baloo confronts Mowgli about his indecisiveness and reiterates his statement that Shanti is nothing but trouble. Mowgli denies his claim and goes after Shanti and Ranjan to apologize but finds them standing in fear as Shere Khan has found them. Mowgli tells them to run to safety as the tiger approaches. Mowgli then throws dust at his eyes, and runs. Shere Khan goes after him. Mowgli tells Shanti and Ranjan to stay hidden and continues to run. Shanti's concern for Mowgli allows her to conquer her fear of wild animals and runs after him but orders Ranjan to stay hidden until she comes back. Ranjan attempts to follow her but encounters Baloo and warns him of what is happening. At the same time, Bagheera encounters the two and assists them. Shanti follows as Shere Khan chases Mowgli to an ancient temple where they are forced to hide in the shadows. Bagheera looks after Ranjan while Baloo rushes to the temple in order to aid the children.
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-6932.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Mowgli and Shanti fleeing from Shere Khan.]]
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-6932.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Mowgli and Shanti fleeing from Shere Khan.]]
She runs into Baloo and they start arguing until they realize their mutual goal to help Mowgli. Baloo suggests they cooperate, which Shanti agrees to and they each hide behind gong and bang them to confuse Shere Khan, diverting his attention in hopes that it will give them the opportunity to sneak away. Unfortunately, Shanti's gong falls, showing herself to Shere Khan. He calls to Mowgli and threatens to kill Shanti unless he gives himself up. To ensure her safety, Mowgli reveals himself to the tiger, who immediately attacks him. Baloo tries to restrain Shere Khan as Shanti rushes to Mowgli and the two make a run for it. Shere Khan breaks free from Baloo and runs after the children, who leap upon a huge stone tiger head overlooking a lava lake. As they climb, Shere Khan goes after them. However, the stone head collapses and it falls with Mowgli, Shere Khan, and Shanti. Luckily, Baloo catches the children as Shere Khan falls to a ledge, and is then trapped by the head.
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She runs into Baloo and they start arguing until they realize their mutual goal to help Mowgli. Baloo suggests they cooperate, which Shanti agrees to and they each hide behind a gong and bang them to confuse Shere Khan, diverting his attention in hopes that it will give them the opportunity to sneak away. Unfortunately, Shanti's gong falls, showing herself to Shere Khan. He calls to Mowgli and threatens to kill Shanti unless he gives himself up. To ensure her safety, Mowgli reveals himself to the tiger, who immediately attacks him. Baloo tries to restrain Shere Khan as Shanti rushes to Mowgli and the two make a run for it. Shere Khan breaks free from Baloo and runs after the children, who leap upon a huge stone tiger head overlooking a lava lake. As they climb, Shere Khan goes after them. However, the stone head collapses and it falls with Mowgli, Shere Khan, and Shanti. Luckily, Baloo catches the children as Shere Khan falls to a ledge, and is then trapped by the head.
   
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-7401.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The children decide to go back to the Man Village.]]
 
[[File:Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps.com-7401.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The children decide to go back to the Man Village.]]
The trio leaves the temple and reunites with Bagheera and Ranjan. As Shanti is introduced to Bagheera, they spot the village search party nearby. Shanti is delighted but Mowgli is reluctant to go, hoping Shanti would stay with him and his old family in the jungle instead. Although Shanti has come to empathize with Mowgli regarding the jungle, she knows she can never be a part of it like he is. Shanti takes Ranjan and rushes towards the search party and just like the day they first met, Shanti lets Mowgli decide for himself whether or not he wants to come with her. Having gained respect for Shanti for her loyalty and courage, Baloo is convinced that Mowgli is in good hands and realizes that the man-cub cares about her too much to let her go. As such, Baloo encourages the boy to go. Mowgli catches up with Shanti and decides he wants to go back with her, much to her joy. Mowgli, Shanti and Ranjan then reunite with their families. Shanti watches in awe as Mowgli reconciles with his adoptive father and is flattered when Ranjan reveals to everyone that he saved her life from a snake. She then accompanies her mother as the search party heads back to the village.
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The trio leaves the temple and reunites with Bagheera and Ranjan. As Shanti is introduced to Bagheera, they spot the village search party nearby. Shanti is delighted but Mowgli is reluctant to go, hoping Shanti would stay with him and his old family in the jungle instead. Although Shanti has come to empathize with Mowgli regarding the jungle, she knows she can never be a part of it like he is. Shanti takes Ranjan and slowly heads towards the search party and just like the day they first met, Shanti lets Mowgli decide for himself whether or not he wants to come with her. Having gained respect for Shanti for her loyalty and courage, Baloo is convinced that Mowgli is in good hands and realizes that the man-cub cares about her too much to let her go. As such, Baloo encourages the boy to go. Mowgli catches up with Shanti and decides he wants to go back with her, much to her joy. Mowgli, Shanti and Ranjan then reunite with their families. Shanti watches in awe as Mowgli reconciles with his adoptive father and is flattered when Ranjan reveals to everyone that he saved her life from a snake.The search party then heads back to the village.
   
The next day, Mowgli and Shanti head to the river to do their daily chores, accompanied by Ranjan. However, their main intention is to visit Baloo and Bagheera before finishing their chores. The trio meets with them and begin touring the jungle while singing "Bare Necessities." At the end of the film, Mowgli and Shanti finally begin their romantic relationship.
+
The next day, Mowgli and Shanti head to the river to get some water, accompanied by Ranjan. However, their main intention is to visit Baloo and Bagheera. The trio meets with them and begin touring the jungle while singing "Bare Necessities." As the group meanders into the jungle, Mowgli and Shanti hold hands as the film ends, entering a romantic relationship and thus cementing the future Shanti wished for in her song the day she met Mowgli. As such, she is destined to live a long and happy life with Mowgli in the Man Village.
   
 
===''[[It's a Small World: The Animated Series]]''===
 
===''[[It's a Small World: The Animated Series]]''===
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*In ''The Jungle Book 2'', Shanti had a solo to sing about her fear of the jungle and how she must find the strength to conquer her fear, but the scene was deleted on account of Disney producers deciding that the song would take too much attention from Mowgli and the story plot.
 
*In ''The Jungle Book 2'', Shanti had a solo to sing about her fear of the jungle and how she must find the strength to conquer her fear, but the scene was deleted on account of Disney producers deciding that the song would take too much attention from Mowgli and the story plot.
 
*The name Shanti means "peace" in Hindi, reflecting Shanti's desire for a safe and peaceful life.
 
*The name Shanti means "peace" in Hindi, reflecting Shanti's desire for a safe and peaceful life.
*Her signature song, "[[My Own Home]]", hints that she might become Mowgli's wife in the future.
+
*Her signature song, "[[My Own Home]]", heavily suggests that she will become Mowgli's wife in the future.
 
*Shanti's father was mentioned to be a hunter in the original film but was absent in the sequel. This has led some fans to believe that her father was killed by a wild animal at some point, thus triggering her fear of the jungle and wild animals. However, as neither she nor her mother expressed any grief during ''The Jungle Book 2'', it is possible that her father was simply on a hunting trip during the events of the film.
 
*Shanti's father was mentioned to be a hunter in the original film but was absent in the sequel. This has led some fans to believe that her father was killed by a wild animal at some point, thus triggering her fear of the jungle and wild animals. However, as neither she nor her mother expressed any grief during ''The Jungle Book 2'', it is possible that her father was simply on a hunting trip during the events of the film.
 
**Some fans have also speculated whether or not her father is Buldeo the hunter, a deleted character from the original film's earlier drafts, who was also the father of Mowgli's love interest from Zoltan Korda's ''Jungle Book'' (1942).
 
**Some fans have also speculated whether or not her father is Buldeo the hunter, a deleted character from the original film's earlier drafts, who was also the father of Mowgli's love interest from Zoltan Korda's ''Jungle Book'' (1942).
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[[Category:Pre-teens]]
 
[[Category:Pre-teens]]
 
[[Category:Indian characters]]
 
[[Category:Indian characters]]
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[[Category:Disney on Ice characters]]

Revision as of 20:37, 6 September 2020

Shanti (originally known as The Girl) is a minor character in Disney's 1967 animated feature film, The Jungle Book, and the tritagonist of the The Jungle Book 2. She is a little girl from the Man Village known for her lovely singing voice and beautiful eyes. When Mowgli the man-cub first encounters Shanti, he becomes so entranced by her beauty that he decides to leave the jungle in favor of living amongst humans in the village.

Background

Development

When the creative crew couldn't devise a way to convince Mowgli to go to the Man Village after spending the entire film avoiding it, Walt Disney looked for inspirations in the endings to both volumes of The Jungle Book and saw that Mowgli did eventually fall in love with a girl from a village and served as one of the reasons why Mowgli decided to stay with his own kind forever. Then Walt suggested having a girl lure Mowgli to the village and the idea stuck.

Personality

Shanti is best described as a sweet, introverted, loyal, rational and hard-working young girl who lives an organized life and has great respect for rules, which she considers essential to a peaceful and prosperous life. She has a very obvious crush on Mowgli (a feeling he reciprocates) and finds him charming, despite disapproving of his occasional rebelliousness. For a long time, Shanti suffered from agrizoophobia (fear of wild animals) and could not bear the thought of all the potential dangers that might be in the jungle, preferring to stay in a safe environment at all times instead. Despite this apparent faint-hearted nature, Shanti is very courageous deep inside but never found the right motivation to nurture her potential until Mowgli entered her life. That time came when she forced herself out of her comfort zone and entered the jungle to save Mowgli, whom she believed was kidnapped.

Shanti would soon confront her deepest fear when she was hypnotized by Kaa. After Ranjan saved her from the snake, Shanti shows considerably less symptoms of her agrizoophobia, suggesting that her encounter with Kaa may have worked on her like an exposure therapy. She also gradually shows more confidence in the jungle, such as being able to focus more on finding Mowgli instead of maintaining vigilance and finding the courage to defend herself, Mowgli and Ranjan when Baloo "attacked" them, rather than panicking like she did the night before. After the skirmish with Shere Khan, Shanti was finally purged of her agrizoophobia for good.

Despite Shanti's initial fear of wild animals, she displayed no desire to harm them. This is shown when she told Ranjan to leave Kaa alone, despite knowing he tried to eat her moments before. This also shows that Shanti is a forgiving person even to those who have wronged her, as demonstrated by her reaction to the prank Mowgli and Ranjan played on her. After being pushed into the village river and left soaking wet, Shanti scolded Mowgli for the cruel mischief but held no grudge against him, showcasing her maturity. However, when she found out that Mowgli tried to have Baloo scare her away in case she found him, she was truly hurt and found it difficult to forgive the boy to the point where she refused to listen to Mowgli's attempts to explain himself.

Shanti and Mowgli both have different opinions on the jungle, usually leading to friendly or sometimes serious arguments. In many ways, Shanti's mindset is the opposite of Mowgli's. While Mowgli is rebellious, wild, naïve and carefree, Shanti is compliant, civilized, mature and responsible. Despite that, Mowgli has had a rather positive influence on Shanti and vice versa. Mowgli has inspired Shanti to become braver while Shanti has inspired Mowgli to embrace responsibility and work ethics. The two learning from each other proved to be a key factor in developing their relationship.

Despite Shanti's serious nature, she is far from being devoid of child-like traits and often displays her playful side. Especially around Mowgli, who is capable of charming her into loosening up and letting out her fun-loving side, and occasionally she enjoys flirting with him. Despite her flirtatious attitude, Shanti tends to deny her true feelings for Mowgli when she is around other people, fearing it would make her a subject of mockery.

An introvert, Shanti generally prefers to keep her thoughts to herself, though she is comfortable with expressing her feelings to someone she can trust. She is also somewhat self-conscious about her appearance and actions. As such, she is not as sociable as most of her peers and only expresses her deepest fantasies about her adulthood when she is, or thinks she is, alone. Nevertheless, Shanti is impressed by Mowgli's popularity among the village children and gladly participates in entertaining activities set up by Mowgli, though usually only after Mowgli has managed to charm her. After successfully amusing her, Shanti usually shows her appreciation and gratitude by blinking her eyes at Mowgli to remind him of the day they first met, knowing the boy has a soft spot for her beautiful eyes.

Although she enjoys good stories and fantasies, Shanti is somewhat down-to-earth and was very skeptical about the possibility of Mowgli being actually raised in the jungle and having befriended a bear and a panther. As such, she initially assumed Mowgli was simply an orphan from a different faraway village who got lost in the jungle and that his stories were either made up or exaggerated in order to gain popularity. Once she was introduced to Baloo and Bagheera, however, she realized Mowgli's stories were all true.

Even though there is no relation, Shanti treats Mowgli's adoptive brother Ranjan as if he were her own, most likely because of her mother's and Messua's close friendship. She takes some of her time to teach Ranjan how to behave and stay safe and tries to convince him that she's a better role model than Mowgli.

Physical appearance

Shanti is a preteen, slender and a very beautiful girl with olive skin, brown eyes, long sleek black hair, black eyebrows, red bindi on her forehead, and gold hoop earrings.

In The Jungle Book, Shanti wore a pink dress with a red waist belt and her hair was tied into pigtails by pink bows.

In The Jungle Book 2, her appearance was updated. This time historically accurate to how Indian girls at her age commonly dressed in the late 19th century. She retains her bindi, earrings and is still barefoot but wears an indigo lehenga skirt made from cotton, a cream yellow choli that exposes her midriff and her hair has a conventional Indian style, braided in a ponytail.

Appearances

The Jungle Book

Jungle-book-disneyscreencaps

Shanti in The Jungle Book.

Shanti plays a minor role as an unnamed peasant girl near the end of The Jungle Book. On the way to the man village, Mowgli spots a creature he has never seen before: a human girl. Mowgli requests a better look, and while Baloo unsuccessfully attempts to stop him, Bagheera gleefully encourages him on. Shanti stops by a river near the village entrance to collect water in her jug. Before doing so, she takes a moment to fantasize about owning her own home and family as the dazzled Mowgli looks on. Mowgli falls off the branch of the tree he was looking down at her from and into the river, where he is easily noticed by the young maiden.

Curious about the mysterious newcomer, Shanti tries to politely convince him to come with her to the village, only to be met with reluctance and timidness. Not wanting to force him to come, Shanti fills her jug with water and heads back to the village until she notices Mowgli is following her. Hoping to lead him into the village, she pretends to accidentally drop the jug. Mowgli refills the jug and offers it to her, only to receive flirting signals from the girl as she offers him to come with her to the village. Mowgli falls for her trick and follows her. At the village entrance, Mowgli hesitates and looks back at his animal guardians across the river with uncertainty. As Shanti stops by the gate to see if Mowgli is coming, the man-cub looks into her beautiful flirtatious eyes and becomes infatuated with her. Unable to resist his humanity, Mowgli accompanies Shanti to the village and begins a new life.

The Jungle Book 2

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

Shanti in The Jungle Book 2.

Shanti serves as the tritagonist of The Jungle Book 2, taking place two years after The Jungle Book. Since the end of the original film, Shanti has developed a close friendship with Mowgli and has been tasked with guiding him through the work hours, allowing the two to interact and bond on a daily basis. At the beginning of the film, Mowgli tells the story of his life in the jungle to his new foster family, Shanti and her mother in the form of a shadow puppet show. Despite being entertained, Shanti expresses a small degree of skepticism when Mowgli states that his closest friends were a panther and a bear. Although Ranjan accidentally ruins the show, the audience laugh it off. Mowgli wonders how he will be able to finish the story but Ranjan thinks it is unnecessary as the audience already knows the ending as he reminds everyone how Mowgli fell for Shanti's eyes and followed her into the village. Shanti is quick to deny this but Mowgli gleefully recalls the day they first met, leading to the two exchanging flirtatious remarks. Ranjan's father, aware of their feelings for each other, tells Shanti that she has nothing to be embarrassed about and that he is grateful to her for bringing Mowgli to their lives. As Shanti and her mother are about to go home, Mowgli mischievously plays on her fears by warning her about Shere Khan lurking around, making her uneasy at first but quickly brushes it off by debunking the probability of such things happening. Once she is out of earshot, Mowgli and Ranjan plan to pull a prank on the girl the next morning.

Mowgli and Shanti having loves of fun

Mowgli and Shanti holding hands.

Morning comes and the boys notice Shanti humming "My Own Home" as she heads to the river and follow her. As she fetches water, Mowgli and Ranjan surprise her so she falls into the river and the boys laugh at the now-soaking wet Shanti. Enraged, she heads back to the village to dry off and takes Ranjan with her after deeming Mowgli a bad influence on him. Ranjan questions Shanti's fear of the jungle but her only reply is that it is dangerous. Her answer confuses Ranjan as it contradicts what Mowgli has told him about the jungle. Shanti warns him not to believe everything Mowgli tells him, suspecting he may have exaggerated his experience in the jungle. Knowing she has a crush on Mowgli, Ranjan is surprised to hear her doubts about him. Shanti admits she does like Mowgli as more than a friend but stops talking as she realizes Mowgli heard her, prompting her to blush in embarrassment. Mowgli attempts to convince his friend and brother that the jungle offers a life that the village cannot and demonstrates this by showing them a peeling trick. Shanti is unimpressed and debunks Mowgli's point by demonstrating an even more impressive peeling trick on a mango and reiterates her earlier statement about not listening to everything Mowgli says. Mowgli insists that Shanti is speaking out of ignorance and tells every present child that there is so much more to the jungle than just danger. Though skeptical, Shanti is amused by Mowgli's charisma and plays along as he rallies the village children until she notices he is trying to lead them into the jungle. She panics and inadvertently alerts Ranjan's father, who grounds Mowgli for his disobedience. She tries to apologize but Mowgli refuses to talk to her. Later that night, Shanti, feeling guilty for getting Mowgli into trouble, brings a bowl of fruit to Mowgli's hut to make amends.

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

Believing her friend was kidnapped, Shanti fights her fear of the jungle and sets off to look for Mowgli.

Little does she know Shere Khan is waiting in the shadows of the village for Mowgli. Shanti soon finds Mowgli with Baloo and shouts at the sight of the bear and alerts the villagers of a wild animal. This awakens the villagers and they attack Shere Khan, thinking him to be the animal Shanti is referring to. During the havoc, Shanti sees Baloo and Mowgli flee for the jungle and the villagers are too preoccupied with Shere Khan to listen to her. Desperate and believing that Mowgli is being kidnapped, Shanti pursues them on her own, unaware that Ranjan is following her. She hesitates by the river as she sees Baloo running into the jungle but forces herself to go in after them for Mowgli's sake. In the jungle, Shanti's agrizoophobia kicks in as she heads deeper into the wilderness and encounters various frightening nocturnal creatures. She waves her torch in every direction to defend herself but unfortunately, this tactic backfires when she accidentally burns Kaa and exposes herself to him. The ravenous python begins stalking the girl and waits for the right moment to trap her.

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

Kaa hypnotizes Shanti, making her worst nightmare come true as she stands helpless before a dangerous jungle predator.

Once Shanti realizes she is not alone, she faces her worst nightmare when Kaa reveals himself to the girl and due to her poor survival skills, the snake is easily able to frighten her into looking directly into his eyes and hypnotize her. Shanti drops her torch, leaving her defenseless, and falls into a complete trance. Kaa taunts her by playfully stroking her hair and condescendingly asking her if she is lost and hungry while making her nod her head to his questions. Having teased her enough, Kaa whispers into her ear that he is starving, bragging about her impending doom as he makes the helpless girl position herself to be eaten by him. Fortunately, Ranjan saves her life by pulling her away from the snake's jaws and begins beating him up with a stick. Shanti hits the ground and instantly snaps out of her trance, waking up in confusion while Ranjan chases Kaa away. She is about to take Ranjan back to the village before he convinces her to let him help her.

The next day, as they still search for Mowgli, Shanti realizes that she is completely lost and is out of ideas until Ranjan finds several curly-shaped mango peelings, which Shanti recognizes as the peeling trick she taught him earlier and concludes that her friend is not far.

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

Mowgli and Shanti reunited.

That same evening, she finds Mowgli sitting on a tree branch and rushes to him, overjoyed. She catches Mowgli by surprise and the boy falls down and gets tangled up in the vines hanging from the tree. As Shanti and Ranjan try to free him, Shanti asks where Mowgli's "kidnapper" is. Mowgli is about to dodge the issue when Baloo suddenly arrives at the scene and attempts to scare Shanti away only to be caught in the vines and get punched in the nose by the girl.

Mowgli chastises Baloo for scaring his friend, but the confused bear recalls Mowgli being the one who told him to do so, much to Shanti and Ranjan's surprise. Mowgli regrettably admits that he did in fact plan this, which breaks Shanti's heart and on the verge of tears she runs off with Ranjan in a tow. Baloo confronts Mowgli about his indecisiveness and reiterates his statement that Shanti is nothing but trouble. Mowgli denies his claim and goes after Shanti and Ranjan to apologize but finds them standing in fear as Shere Khan has found them. Mowgli tells them to run to safety as the tiger approaches. Mowgli then throws dust at his eyes, and runs. Shere Khan goes after him. Mowgli tells Shanti and Ranjan to stay hidden and continues to run. Shanti's concern for Mowgli allows her to conquer her fear of wild animals and runs after him but orders Ranjan to stay hidden until she comes back. Ranjan attempts to follow her but encounters Baloo and warns him of what is happening. At the same time, Bagheera encounters the two and assists them. Shanti follows as Shere Khan chases Mowgli to an ancient temple where they are forced to hide in the shadows. Bagheera looks after Ranjan while Baloo rushes to the temple in order to aid the children.

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

Mowgli and Shanti fleeing from Shere Khan.

She runs into Baloo and they start arguing until they realize their mutual goal to help Mowgli. Baloo suggests they cooperate, which Shanti agrees to and they each hide behind a gong and bang them to confuse Shere Khan, diverting his attention in hopes that it will give them the opportunity to sneak away. Unfortunately, Shanti's gong falls, showing herself to Shere Khan. He calls to Mowgli and threatens to kill Shanti unless he gives himself up. To ensure her safety, Mowgli reveals himself to the tiger, who immediately attacks him. Baloo tries to restrain Shere Khan as Shanti rushes to Mowgli and the two make a run for it. Shere Khan breaks free from Baloo and runs after the children, who leap upon a huge stone tiger head overlooking a lava lake. As they climb, Shere Khan goes after them. However, the stone head collapses and it falls with Mowgli, Shere Khan, and Shanti. Luckily, Baloo catches the children as Shere Khan falls to a ledge, and is then trapped by the head.

Jungle-book2-disneyscreencaps

The children decide to go back to the Man Village.

The trio leaves the temple and reunites with Bagheera and Ranjan. As Shanti is introduced to Bagheera, they spot the village search party nearby. Shanti is delighted but Mowgli is reluctant to go, hoping Shanti would stay with him and his old family in the jungle instead. Although Shanti has come to empathize with Mowgli regarding the jungle, she knows she can never be a part of it like he is. Shanti takes Ranjan and slowly heads towards the search party and just like the day they first met, Shanti lets Mowgli decide for himself whether or not he wants to come with her. Having gained respect for Shanti for her loyalty and courage, Baloo is convinced that Mowgli is in good hands and realizes that the man-cub cares about her too much to let her go. As such, Baloo encourages the boy to go. Mowgli catches up with Shanti and decides he wants to go back with her, much to her joy. Mowgli, Shanti and Ranjan then reunite with their families. Shanti watches in awe as Mowgli reconciles with his adoptive father and is flattered when Ranjan reveals to everyone that he saved her life from a snake.The search party then heads back to the village.

The next day, Mowgli and Shanti head to the river to get some water, accompanied by Ranjan. However, their main intention is to visit Baloo and Bagheera. The trio meets with them and begin touring the jungle while singing "Bare Necessities." As the group meanders into the jungle, Mowgli and Shanti hold hands as the film ends, entering a romantic relationship and thus cementing the future Shanti wished for in her song the day she met Mowgli. As such, she is destined to live a long and happy life with Mowgli in the Man Village.

It's a Small World: The Animated Series

Shanti makes a brief cameo in the episode "A Jolly Holi Day", being followed by a lovestruck Mowgli as she carries an urn of water atop her head. She, in her original design from the original film, also made a major appearance in the same episode, showing the six international friends India and the holiday "Holi".

Video games

The Jungle Book Groove Party

Shanti appears at the very end of the game although her voice can be heard humming a song in the middle. Following the story of the film, Mowgli meets Shanti and the two become smitten with one another. As Shanti begins to return to the village, she invites Mowgli to join her, which he accepts.

Kinect Disneyland Adventures

Shanti herself does not appear in the game but she is mentioned by Mowgli when he assigns the player one of his tasks. This is one of the only pieces of media that refers to Shanti as her name given in The Jungle Book 2 rather than simply "The Girl".

Disney Parks

Shanti currently makes no live appearances in the Disney theme parks. Prior to 2000, Shanti had a role in the Animal Kingdom show Journey into the Jungle Book, following her role in the film and leading Mowgli into the Man-Village.

Differences from the source material

  • Although Shanti is technically a character made up by Disney, she was heavily inspired by Abdul Gafur's unnamed daughter whom Mowgli fell in love with, hence making Shanti her Disney counterpart.
  • Like Shanti, Abdul Gafur's daughter was very beautiful, sweet and served the story as Mowgli's love interest who helped him adjust to a new life in civilization. However, Shanti is a much more developed character than Gafur's daughter and displays significantly more personality in The Jungle Book 2.
  • Gafur's daughter was the daughter of a butler who served a wealthy English family. While Shanti is considerably more humble and comes from a peasant family.
  • Gafur's daughter was from the village of Khanhiwara, a British-controlled community 30 miles outside the Seoni hills and she and Mowgli met when they were teenagers. While Shanti was from the Seoni Man Village and she met Mowgli when they were 10 years old.
  • In the books it is revealed that Gafur's daughter was Muslim. While not explicitly stated in the Disney films, Shanti's bindi suggests that she is Hindu.
  • In the books it is revealed that Mowgli will marry Gafur's daughter, have children with her and spend the rest of his life with his new family. But while Mowgli and Shanti share romantic feelings for each other, their future marriage is merely hinted at in the song "My Own Home."
  • Unlike Shanti, Gafur's daughter was not afraid of the jungle. Instead she was fascinated with Mowgli's ability to communicate with animals.
  • Shanti was the first human Mowgli laid eyes on whereas Gafur's daughter was introduced to him by her father and Mowgli was already familiar with mankind, having lived in a different village as a child and was adopted by Messua.

Gallery

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Shanti.

Trivia

  • In The Jungle Book, Shanti was only known as The Girl. In the sequel, it was revealed that her name is Shanti.
  • Shanti's animation in The Jungle Book was used as a reference by Mark Henn when animating Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
  • Shanti's appearance in the Jungle Book is far from the one in the Jungle Book 2. In the first film, she is shown with pigtails and bows in her hair and wears pink, depicting a more feminine nature, while in the second film, her appearance is more conventional to young Indian girls in 19th century Central India.
  • In The Jungle Book 2, Shanti had a solo to sing about her fear of the jungle and how she must find the strength to conquer her fear, but the scene was deleted on account of Disney producers deciding that the song would take too much attention from Mowgli and the story plot.
  • The name Shanti means "peace" in Hindi, reflecting Shanti's desire for a safe and peaceful life.
  • Her signature song, "My Own Home", heavily suggests that she will become Mowgli's wife in the future.
  • Shanti's father was mentioned to be a hunter in the original film but was absent in the sequel. This has led some fans to believe that her father was killed by a wild animal at some point, thus triggering her fear of the jungle and wild animals. However, as neither she nor her mother expressed any grief during The Jungle Book 2, it is possible that her father was simply on a hunting trip during the events of the film.
    • Some fans have also speculated whether or not her father is Buldeo the hunter, a deleted character from the original film's earlier drafts, who was also the father of Mowgli's love interest from Zoltan Korda's Jungle Book (1942).
  • Shanti knows better peeling tricks than Mowgli.
  • Despite not being a feral child, Shanti is able to understand Baloo.
  • Shanti in The Jungle Book 2 bears much resemblance to Mahala from Zoltan Korda's Jungle Book. Like Shanti, Mahala is also barefoot, wears a choli and lehenga skirt and is the daughter of a hunter. As was with Shanti, Mahala also served as Mowgli's love interest who was at first skeptical about Mowgli's life in the jungle being exactly the way he described, was afraid of wild animals and was once hypnotized by a snake.


v - e - d
The Jungle Book Logo
Media
Films: The Jungle Book (soundtrack/video) • The Jungle Book 2 (video) • Rudyard Kipling'sMowgli's Story2016 Live-action Film (soundtrack/video) • Sequel Film

Shows: Jungle Cubs
Video Games: The Jungle BookThe Jungle Book Groove PartyThe Jungle Book: Mowgli's Wild AdventureThe Jungle Book: Mowgli's RunDisney Classic Games CollectionDisney Speedstorm
Books: More Jungle Book... Further Adventures of Baloo and Mowgli

Disney Parks
Animated film: Disney's Explorers LodgeDisney Animation BuildingGarden of the Twelve FriendsIt's a Small WorldRhythm of the Jungle

Live action: Disney Movie MagicThe Jungle Book: Alive with Magic
Entertainment: AnimagiqueDisney's BelieveDisney's WishesDisney Classics: The Music & The MagicFantasmic!Festival of Family & FriendsHakuna Matata Time Dance PartyIt's Party Time... with Mickey and FriendsJourney into the Jungle BookMickey's Gift of DreamsMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey and the Magical MapMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey presents: “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris”One Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On!Rivers of Light: We Are OneSuper Duper Jumpin' TimeThe Forest of Enchantment: A Disney Musical Adventure
Restaurants: Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost
Shops: Adventureland Bazaar
Parade: Disney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Adventure Friends CavalcadeDisney Magic on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeJubilation!Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyMickey's Soundsational ParadeThe Wonderful World of Disney Parade
Firework: Celebrate the MagicCelebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Disneyland ForeverHappily Ever AfterMickey's Mix MagicMomentousTree of Life Awakens
Summer: Adventure is Out There!The Jungle Book Jive
Halloween: Happy Hallowishes

Characters
Original: MowgliBalooBagheeraKing LouieShere KhanKaaColonel HathiWinifredHathi, Jr.Buzzie, Flaps, Ziggy, and DizzyAkelaRamaShantiRakshaWolf PupsSeeonee PackJungle PatrolFlunkeyBandar-log

Deleted characters: Rocky the RhinoBuldeoTabaqui
Sequel: RanjanRanjan's FatherMessuaShanti's MotherLucky
Rudyard Kipling's: Grey BrotherNathooKitty BrydonColonel Geoffrey BrydonSergeant ClaibourneDr. Julius PlumfordWilliam BooneSergeant HarleyBuldeoTabaquiLt. John WilkinsIndian BanditsAlice, Rose, and Margaret
Jungle Cubs: Arthur and CecilThe CrocMahraNed, Jed & FredMungoLeahCainDholesWinifred's UncleMcCoyDictator TurtleWhitehood
Mowgli's Story: Li'l RakshaChilBiranyiTarzan Chimp
2016 film: IkkiMr. PangolinGiant SquirrelFred the Pygmy HogMowgli's Father
House of Mouse: King Larry

Locations
JungleAncient RuinsMan VillageIndiaAsia
Episodes
Season One: "A Night in the Wasteland" • "How the Panther Lost His Roar/The Humans Must Be Crazy" • "Hathi Meets His Match/Buffaloed" • "Mondo Mungo/Bare Necessities" • "Who Wants to Be a Baboon?" • "Red Dogs" • "The Great Kaadini" • "Hulla Baloo/Shere Bliss" • "Treasure of the Middle Jungle" • "Feather Brains/Benny & Clyde" • "Splendor in the Mud" • "Trouble in the Jungle/Fool Me Once..." • "The Coming of the Wolves"

Season Two: "The Ape Who Would Be King" • "Trunks for the Memories/Kasaba Ball" • "Hathi's Makeover/Curse of the Magnificent Melon" • "The Five Bananas/Birthday Snake" • "Old Green Teeth/The Elephant Who Couldn't Say No" • "Hair Ball/A Tale of Two Tails" • "Waiting for Baloo/Tree for Two" • "Nice Tiger/Sleepless in the Jungle"

Songs
Original: "Colonel Hathi's March" • "The Bare Necessities" • "I Wan'na Be Like You" • "Trust in Me" • "That's What Friends are For" • "My Own Home"

More Jungle Book: "Baloo's Blues" • "Jungle Fever" • "If You Wanna See Some Strange Behavior (Take a Look at Man)" • "It's a Kick"
Jungle Cubs: "Take Your Sweet, Sweet Time" • "Jungle Cub Love" • "Everything's Gonna Be Right with the World"
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story: "The Monkey Time"
The Jungle Book Groove Party: "The Jungle's No Place for a Boy" • "Join the Ranks" • "Go Bananas in the Coconut Tree" • "A Mood for Food" • "We Are the Vultures" • "Run" • "A Brand New Day"
Sequel: "The Jungle Rhythm" • "W-I-L-D" • "Right Where I Belong"
Deleted: "Brothers All" • "The Song of the Seeonee" • "Monkey See, Monkey Do" • "I Knew I Belonged to Her" • "In A Day's Work" • "The Mighty Hunters" • "I've Got You Beat" • "Braver"

See Also
Disney Sing Along Songs: The Bare NecessitiesTaleSpinDisney's Jungle Boogie


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Princesses
Official Disney Princesses: Snow WhiteCinderellaAuroraArielBelleJasminePocahontasMulanTianaRapunzelMeridaMoanaRaya

Other Princesses: Minnie MouseTiger LilyMaid MarianEilonwyDaughters of TritonCallaMegaraMelodySallyKida NedakhTing-Ting, Su, and MeiKilala RenoKairiPrincess of GentlehavenNancy TremaineVanellope von SchweetzSofiaAnnaElsaElena
Other Heroines: AliceWendy DarlingTinker BellNalaNakomaEsmeraldaJane PorterGiselleMirabel MadrigalAsha

Media
Films: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) • Cinderella (1950) • Sleeping Beauty (1959) • The Little Mermaid (1989) • Beauty and the Beast (1991) • Aladdin (1992) • Pocahontas (1995) • Mulan (1998) • The Princess and the Frog (2009) • Tangled (2010) • Brave (2012) • Moana (2016) • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Theme Songs: "If You Can Dream""It's Not Just Make Believe""The Glow""Live Your Story""Starting Now""Like a Princess"
Video Games: Disney Princess: Fashion BoutiqueDisney PrincessDisney Princess: Magical Dress-UpDisney Princess: Royal Horse ShowDisney Princess: Royal AdventureDisney Princess: Enchanted JourneyDisney Princess: Magical JewelsDisney Princess: My Fairytale AdventureDisney Princess Enchanting StorybooksDisney Princess Majestic QuestDisney Tsum TsumDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Magic Kingdoms
Home Video: Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Once Upon a DreamDisney Princess Sing Along Songs Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea PartyDisney Princess Sing Along Songs Vol. 3 - Perfectly PrincessDisney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams
Books: Kilala PrincessDisney PrincessDisney Princess BeginningsDisney Princess Comics TreasuryRoyal Weddings
Cancelled: Princess Academy

Disney Parks
Castle of Magical DreamsEnchanted Storybook CastleFairy Tale ForestFantasy FaireGolden Fairytale FanfareMickey's Magical CelebrationMinnie's Tiara of DreamsPLAY!Princess PavilionRoyal Banquet Hall

Fireworks: Disney Illuminations

See Also
Sofia the FirstDisney FairiesPrincesses of HeartPalace PetsPrincess AcademyRalph Breaks the InternetDisney Princess - The ConcertLike a Princess