Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood’s most prolific and bankable stars, is reportedly facing significant hurdles with his upcoming film, Welcome To The Jungle. The third installment in the popular Welcome franchise, which boasts an extensive ensemble cast, is said to be grappling with major financial troubles and production delays, casting a shadow of uncertainty over its theatrical release.
Initially announced with much fanfare and an anticipated Christmas 2024 release, Welcome To The Jungle began shooting in December 2023. However, reports suggest that the last substantial filming schedule took place as far back as August 2023, with subsequent planned shoots repeatedly canceled over the past six months. This erratic production schedule has left many cast members and their teams in a state of confusion, leading to concerns about the film’s future.
A primary reason cited for these troubles is severe financial crunch. Industry insiders reveal that while approximately 60% of the film has been completed, a significant 40% remains pending. Compounding the issue, there are widespread reports of non-payment of fees to various actors and crew members involved in the project. This financial instability has reportedly led to some actors, including Sanjay Dutt, who had already filmed for 15 days, opting to exit the project, citing script and date issues.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is the reported ownership structure of the film. Sources indicate that Akshay Kumar himself holds a substantial 80% stake in Welcome To The Jungle, with the remaining 20% belonging to producer Firoz Nadiadwala and others. Despite Kumar’s significant investment, no official statement has been released by the makers regarding the reasons for the delays or the current status of the film, leaving fans and the industry speculating.
The Welcome franchise holds a special place in the hearts of many, known for its comedic timing and stellar ensemble casts. This third installment was set to feature a massive line-up of stars including Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, and many more. The ongoing troubles not only jeopardize the film’s release but also raise questions about the smooth functioning of such large-scale multi-starrer projects in Bollywood.
While Akshay Kumar recently saw success with Housefull 5, which reportedly garnered over Rs. 244 crore in 10 days, the issues surrounding Welcome To The Jungle mark another setback for the actor, who has faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years. Furthermore, Welcome To The Jungle is not the only film connected to Akshay Kumar to face such issues; the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3 has also been plagued by delays and legal disputes, including a reported lawsuit filed by Akshay Kumar’s production house against Paresh Rawal.
As the industry watches closely, the fate of Welcome To The Jungle hangs in the balance. Whether the financial hurdles will be overcome and the film eventually makes it to the big screen, perhaps even in 2025, remains to be seen. The lack of official communication from the production team only adds to the uncertainty, leaving fans to wonder if this highly anticipated comedy will ever see the light of day.