Akshay Kumar’s ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ Shelved? Director Clears the Air
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/26th August 2024
Recent rumors suggesting that Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film, “Welcome To The Jungle,” has been shelved have been debunked by the film’s director, Ahmed Khan. This film marks the third installment in the popular “Welcome” series, following the success of the first two movies, “Welcome” and “Welcome Back.”
After the mixed reception of his previous film, “Khel Khel Mein,” Akshay Kumar is now focused on “Welcome To The Jungle,” which began filming in November of last year. Despite reports circulating about the project being shelved, Khan has confirmed that these rumors are unfounded. In a statement, the director reassured fans and industry insiders that the film is progressing as planned. He mentioned that the next major shooting schedule will commence internationally in October, with the technical team already having departed for initial site inspections.
The film has faced its share of challenges since its inception. Notably, Sanjay Dutt, who was initially part of the cast, exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. According to Bollywood Hungama, Dutt’s departure was attributed to issues with the film’s unplanned shooting schedule and multiple script changes, which disrupted his prior commitments. Despite these challenges, Dutt and Kumar parted on amicable terms, with no ill feelings reported.
“Welcome To The Jungle” boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Aftab Shivdasani, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma, and Sayaji Shinde. This extensive lineup highlights the film’s grand scale and ambition, with a substantial budget reflecting its high production values.
The original “Welcome,” released in 2007, was a major success, featuring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, and Paresh Rawal. Its sequel, “Welcome Back,” released in 2015, introduced new faces such as John Abraham and Shruti Haasan, continuing the franchise’s comedic and entertaining legacy. Both films were directed by Anees Bazmee, known for his expertise in crafting successful comedies.
“Welcome To The Jungle” is produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwallah and presented by Base Industries Group. The film is currently scheduled for release during the Christmas week on December 20, 2024. As the project moves forward, anticipation continues to build for this latest addition to the beloved franchise.
