director Ahmed Khan opened up about the huge logistical challenges behind making Welcome to the Jungle, revealing that coordinating the schedules of more than 30 actors stretched the filming time to two and a half years. He also talked about joining the original Anees Bazmi and talked about Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty during the production process.
Ahmed Khan talks coordinating 30-plus actors
Speaking to Mid-Day on the eve of the film’s release, Ahmed Khan said the large cast made Welcome to the Jungle one of the most demanding projects of his career.He said: “It was an ambitious project from the beginning. In India, being ambitious means finding actors and dates. Every actor is busy with other movies and every role in this movie is important. That’s why it took us two and a half years to complete. “The filmmaker noted that his previous experience as a choreographer working with many actors made communication smoother. He also admitted that his naturally “loud and dominant” personality on set helped him keep his large ensemble together during the lengthy production process.
Ahmed Khan talks taking over from Anees Bazmee
Joining a franchise that Anees Bazmee built from the ground up is another topic, but Khan is clear that he never felt the need to seek his predecessor’s approval.He said, “We are all friends, but professionally every director can make any film. Anees bhai doesn’t need me to explain how to make an action film, and he doesn’t need anyone to explain comedy to me. A director is a director. Give him a script and he will make a film.”For Ahmed Khan, changes in a director’s vision are what keep a franchise alive and fresh. “Otherwise, everyone would be doing the same thing over and over again,” he says. “Like moving into a new house, you wouldn’t call the previous owner and ask him where to put the sofa. The house is the same, but you can arrange the furniture any way you want.”Ahmed Khan on giving back to theaterIn the same conversation, Ahmed Khan also viewed producing large-scale entertainers as a responsibility for the exhibition business. “I can make a little action movie and make it a hit, but it’s our responsibility to give back to theaters,” he said.
Supported by Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty
Ahmed Khan was full of praise for the two leads, praising them for easing the financial stress of filmmaking.He revealed, “What Akshay and Sunil have done for this film is unparalleled. They just said, ‘Make achhi banao. Make kamayegi; we will draw inspiration from it.'” They did not say, ‘I have done my duty; now pay me. ‘”
More information about Welcome to the Jungle
The film is directed by Ahmed Khan and stars Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Shriyas Talpade, Tushar Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi and others. The film will be released in theaters on June 26, 2026.
