Director Ahmed Khan has addressed the delay in the filming of Welcome to The Jungle, the much-awaited third installment in the Welcome franchise, starring Akshay Kumar and a massive ensemble cast. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Khan confirmed that the delay was caused not by financial issues, but by the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack that took place in May 2025.
“We were supposed to shoot in Kashmir in June for a third, long schedule. That would have brought us close to completing the film. But then the Pahalgam tragedy happened. The Kashmir schedule had to be cancelled,” Khan explained.
Finding a New Location Amid Scheduling Chaos
Khan revealed that while two major schedules had already been completed, the now-scrapped Kashmir shoot was critical for wrapping up production. The team is currently scouting alternate locations in Kullu or Himachal Pradesh, which offer similar terrain and visual aesthetics.
“Coordinating the dates of thirty-six actors again is no small task. We’re working on it,” he added.
The film, known for its chaotic humor and star-studded lineup, has a cast that includes Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Suniel Shetty, Johnny Lever, Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and Arshad Warsi, among others.
Financial Rumors Denied by Director
Responding to speculation that the delay was due to funding issues, Khan clarified that he has no control over production finances, saying:
“I have no idea about that. All financial matters are handled by the producer, Firoz Nadiadwala.”
Earlier reports had suggested that some cast members had stepped back amid uncertainty over the revised schedule and finances. However, no confirmations have been made by the actors themselves.
Release Date Still On Track
Despite the disruption, Welcome to The Jungle is still slated for a December 26, 2025 release — marking it as a major holiday season entertainer. It follows the immense success of Welcome (2007) and Welcome Back (2015), and is expected to be another zany comedy with high production value and ensemble madness.
More updates on the revised shoot schedule and trailer are expected in the coming months.
