Shanti/Relationships (2024)

The relationships of Shanti from The Jungle Book.

Romances[]

Mowgli[]

Shanti is the love of Mowgli's life and the first human he laid eyes on. They met by a complete chance one day when Shanti is collecting water from the river outside the Man Village while fantasizing about her future. When the man-cub fell into the river from a tree above it, he was easily noticed by her. Though Shanti was surprised by his presence, she was curious about him and lured him into the village in hopes of getting to know him. At the village entrance, Mowgli looked deep into Shanti's eyes and became entranced by her beauty.

Shortly before The Jungle Book 2, Shanti and Mowgli had become close friends. Because the village leader tasked Shanti with guiding Mowgli through the work hours, which mainly includes retrieving water from the river and attending to the fruit trees, the two spend time together every day. Despite their conflicting personalities, they do enjoy each other's company, show that they have learned a lot from each other and have grown to care about each other as more than mere friends. After their adventure in the jungle, Shanti managed to conquer her fear of the wild and began to see its warm and welcoming side. When Mowgli ultimately chose to return with her to the village, the two began a romantic relationship.

In Shanti's song "My Own Home", it is foreshadowed that Shanti and Mowgli will marry once they reach adulthood and start a family of their own.

Family[]

Her mother[]

Little is known about Shanti's relationship with her mother, but it can be assumed that she loves and respects her.

Friends and Allies[]

Baloo[]

Shanti and Baloo became friends after a rocky start. Initially wary of Baloo, and worried about Mowgli's safety, Shanti alerted that there was a wild animal in the Man Village, not knowing Shere Khan was there as well. Shanti went after Baloo, believing he kidnapped Mowgli, despite her fear of the jungle and the animals within it. After reuniting with Mowgli, Shanti punched Baloo in the nose, believing he was a threat until she discovered that Mowgli plotted with Baloo to scare her into leaving him in the jungle. Shanti became friends with Baloo during the final confrontation with Shere Khan.

Bagheera[]

Again, little is known about Shanti's relationship with Bagheera, but, from the ending of the second film, it can be assumed they are friends/allies.

Ranjan[]

Ranjan sees Shanti as a sort of older sister figure. While, yes, she does chastise him sometimes, she does care for the cheeky little boy.

Enemies[]

Kaa[]

Shanti and Kaa are enemies, in a time where Shanti believes the jungle and all the animals living in it are dangerous. After Kaa unsuccessfully attempts to eat Mowgli, he states he never wants to see another man-cub again, but changes his mind after Shanti unknowingly burnt the python's coils with a torch while searching for Mowgli in the jungle. Kaa slurps as he considers Shanti as a snack with considerable relish. Shortly afterwards, realizing she is not alone, Shanti is frightened when Kaa reveals himself. With no time to react, Shanti looks directly into Kaa's hypnotic gaze, unable to do anything other than stare at the python, transfixed, gaping, and helpless. She gives a blissful smile when the hypnosis starts taking effect, putting her in a trance immediately. Shanti drops her torch and is left defenseless as Kaa sad*stically gloats and taunts her playfully, teasing her with his coils. Kaa inquires whether Shanti is lost, stroking her hair before making her nod her head in agreement. With Shanti glassy-eyed and developing an enormous dumb grin, Kaa slithers around the girl. Nuzzling her cheek, Kaa whispers into Shanti's ear that he is starving, gloating about the girl's impending doom. Shanti's smile grew wider and more placid with every second. Having teased her enough, Kaa makes Shanti step on top of a rock and opens his mouth wide as the snake prepares to consume the helpless girl. Fortunately, Ranjan saves Shanti's life by pulling her away from the snake's jaws. Still glassy-eyed and wearing a grin, Shanti falls to the ground. Shanti snaps out of the trance and wakes up in confusion as Ranjan beats up Kaa with a stick.

Shere Khan[]

Shanti and Shere Khan are enemies. The night that Shere Khan infiltrated the Man Village, Shanti was trying to talk to Mowgli, unaware that the tiger was there. Even after the villagers fought off Shere Khan, Shanti was too focused on "saving" Mowgli from Baloo. Later in the film, Shere Khan makes several attempts on Shanti and her friends' lives, including cornering her and Ranjan, and fighting at a temple in a pool of lava, chasing her and Mowgli. He was unable to catch them, since the duo jumped onto a tiger statue, the head fell off, and Baloo was able to save them.