In a recent turn of events, the much-anticipated action-comedy ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ starring Akshay Kumar, has been surrounded by fervent speculation and rumors. Fans and industry insiders alike have been abuzz with the purported shelving of the film. Yet, in a bid to quash these unverified claims, the filmmakers released an unseen picture from the shoot, confirming that the production is very much on track.
The director, Ahmed Khan, was quick to address the circulating rumors, dispelling any notions that ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ might be encountering major hurdles. “There is no truth to these rumors. The film is on track, and we are kick-starting our next leg of the marathon schedule internationally in October, for which my technical team has already left for the first recce,” Khan asserted, putting speculations to rest.
‘Welcome to the Jungle’ has completed an intense shooting schedule in Mumbai and the scenic locales of Kashmir in August. With an expanse that spans enormous sets and a production scale of grand proportions, this film stands out with a cast that features 34 noteworthy actors. According to the makers, 70% of the movie’s shoot has already been wrapped up.
A notable development came from Bollywood Hungama, revealing that veteran actor Sanjay Dutt has opted out of the film. After contributing to the shoot for about 15 days, the actor has decided to part ways with the project. An inside source disclosed, “Sanjay Dutt has cited date issues for his exit. He has conveyed all the issues to his dear friend Akshay, who took the points into account and holds no bad blood. Sanjay Dutt felt that the ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ shoot was happening in an unplanned way, with too many changes in the script, disturbing his shooting schedule. Hence, he has parted ways.”
The filmmakers now face a dilemma: whether to retain Sanjay Dutt’s already filmed sequences or to reshoot those parts.
. The source added, “Sanjay Dutt has shot some funny portions of ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ in the first schedule, and the makers are tempted to retain his scenes and credit Sanjay Dutt for a guest appearance.”
The film, which went on the floors in Mumbai in December 2023, boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Besides Akshay Kumar, it features seasoned actors like Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, and comic pros like Johny Lever and Rajpal Yadav. Adding to the star power are celebrated actresses Disha Patani and Jacqueline Fernandez, along with talents like Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek, Rahul Dev, and renowned singer-brothers Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh.
The film’s development has been a rollercoaster ride of sorts, with initial schedules covering large setups in Mumbai before moving to the picturesque valleys of Kashmir. The next leg will take the crew to unspecified international locales starting in October, as revealed by director Ahmed Khan. “Our technical team has already left for the first recce of our international schedule. Everything is meticulously planned and progressing as per schedule. We aim to deliver a film that is both grand in scale and rich in content.”
While the emphasis remains on the enormous production scale and the extensive star cast, the departure of Sanjay Dutt brings a mix of challenges and opportunities for the team. “The scenes shot by him are excellent, and it makes sense to retain them instead of a complete reshoot, which would also affect the timeline and budget,” an insider shared.
The announcement of the international shoot schedule has certainly infused a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation among fans. The movie’s first-look photos have already riveted audiences, and the buzz around its unique set designs and action-comedy sequences promises a cinematic treat.
In summary, despite the multitude of rumors and the unforeseen exit of a cast member, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ presses forward. Under the vigilant guidance of Ahmed Khan and with a stellar cast led by the indomitable Akshay Kumar, the film is poised to offer an enthralling and entertaining cinematic experience. The international shoot scheduled for October marks yet another significant milestone in the film’s production journey, ensuring that ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ remains on fans’ must-watch list for the coming year.
