Whenever Akshay Kumar’s name comes up, people remember hit comedy films with big franchises. But just like Hera Pheri 3 faced problems due to delays and controversies, his other big film Welcome To The Jungle (which is also being called Welcome 3) also seems to be in trouble.
The news of cancellation of shooting, financial problems and actors leaving has made the path of this film even more difficult. Let’s know what is going on with this much-awaited Bollywood comedy film.
Grand announcement and explosive star cast
Favorite franchise of crores of people
Welcome To The Jungle is the third film in the famous Welcome series, which has always been loved by the audience. Its comedy and cool characters have made everyone laugh.
The film was announced in September 2023 on Akshay Kumar’s 56th birthday and was set to release in theaters on 20 December 2024.
Power packed comedy cast
The highlight of this film is its huge and fun ensemble cast which includes:
Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Rahul Dev, Mukesh Tiwari, Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani and Vruhi Kodwara.
Directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala, the film was initially quite exciting.
The beginning of trouble: delays and shoot cancellations
Shooting schedules cancelled repeatedly
Everything seemed fine in the beginning but the shoot was suddenly cancelled 2-3 times in the last one and a half years. This often happened at the last minute, causing a lot of trouble for the actors and their team. They had fixed their dates, but due to difficulties in preparing for the shoot and financial problems, everything came to a halt.
Money crunch and delayed payments
The biggest problem is said to be related to money. There are reports that many actors and their staff have not received their payments yet, due to which resentment is increasing. These financial conditions are not only stopping the shooting but also bringing down the morale of the team.
Some actors exiting
Due to this uncertainty and payment problems, some actors have left the film. Although their names have not been officially revealed, it is certain that this has made the work of the film more difficult. Despite this, many actors are still associated with the project, as they love the franchise and hope that the situation will improve.
Conflicting reports: Payment problems or security reasons?
Financial crisis vs. external events
While most reports are citing financial problems as the reason, some reports have revealed a different reason. It is being said that the shooting was stopped due to a tragic incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir, while the remaining shooting of the film was to be done there.
According to some sources, 70% of the film has already been shot, and the remaining shooting has been postponed due to security reasons.
Producers claim: No problem of money
Some people associated with the film say that the shooting has been stopped not because of money, but due to security and weather (monsoon).
They claim that the actors are still enthusiastic and the shoot will resume as soon as the situation improves. However, the constant rumours and the exit of some actors show that all is not well behind the scenes.
Impact on the future of the film
Crisis on release date
While earlier this film was going to release on Christmas 2024, now that date also seems to be hanging in the balance. The shooting is not yet completed and the further date is also not fixed. In such a situation, it seems difficult for the film to come on time.
Is this franchise tired or is it the carelessness of the production?
The constant obstacles have raised the question whether it is right to make films with such a big cast without a solid plan? Hera Pheri 3 already faced legal and creative hurdles, and now Welcome To The Jungle also seems to be going on the same path.
Why are some actors still associated with it?
Love for the franchise
Despite so many difficulties, some actors are still associated with this film. The reason is – their love for the Welcome franchise and trust in the script. He hopes that everything will be fine soon.
Ready for schedule changes
There are reports that the actors who are still in the film are adjusting the schedules of their other projects so that the film can be completed. He hopes that the producers will find a solution soon and everything will be back on track.
What will happen next for Akshay Kumar and the franchise?
Akshay’s stakes and credibility
It is being told that Akshay Kumar is not only an actor in this film, but also a partner. In such a situation, the success of the film means a lot to him. Problems in both Hera Pheri 3 and now Welcome To The Jungle have put his career under pressure.
Rest of the projects lined up
Despite these hurdles, Akshay has several films lined up like Housefull 5, Bhoot Bangla and Jolly LLB 3. But the status of his two biggest comedy franchises is still incomplete.
Conclusion: Will Welcome To The Jungle come out of the woods?
Welcome To The Jungle was supposed to be a fun, laughter-filled film that would bring back the magic of the old Welcome films. But funding issues, scheduling conflicts and external events have thrown the film into disarray. With the departure of the cast and the release date being pushed back, the future of the film is still in limbo.
Still, the cast that is still together and the love that the audience has for the franchise give a ray of hope. If the producers can sort out all the hurdles and the entire team comes together again, the film can still turn out to be a great entertainer. For now, all eyes are on this – will this off-screen drama have a happy ending?