Bagheera is a fictional black panther who serves as a primary mentor, protector, and friend to the "man-cub" Mowgli in Rudyard Kipling's classic stories. His name comes directly from the Hindi word for panther or leopard. Depicted as a wise, disciplined, and fiercely protective parental figure, his commitment to Mowgli's survival is unwavering His commitment to Mowgli's survival is unwavering, even risking his own life on several opportunities to defend the "man-cub" from apex predators like Shere Khan. While he can be hot-tempered his frustration, sometimes contrasting heavily with Baloo’s carefree attitude, stems entirely from a deep, underlying love and anxiety for Mowgli's safety. He has been played by several actors throughout many adaptations including Sebastian Cabot and Ben Kingsley.