Welcome To The Jungle, the third instalment in the popular Welcome franchise, remained one of the most anticipated upcoming Bollywood films. As excitement around the project continued to build, many fans questioned why iconic characters like Uday and Majnu, portrayed by Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, were not part of the film. To address this, News18 Showsha recently spoke to the film’s director, Ahmed Khan, who clarified the casting choices and shared insights into the making of the multi-starrer.
Explaining why the original cast was not retained, Ahmed Khan said, “So the thought was very different. If you see Welcome, it is a film that is regularly made, and there is nothing like the similar cast. Akshay (Kumar) was in the first one, John (Abraham) was in the second one, and now again Akshay is in the third one. So, it was a complete 360 turnaround from the Welcome series. So, it’s okay, people keep coming and going.”
When asked directly whether Anil Kapoor or Nana Patekar was approached for Welcome To The Jungle, Khan clarified, “No, I mean they were not approached. We did speak to them if they wanted to be a part, but it was not a film for Uday, Majnu, it is a different script.”
The director also spoke about the challenges of mounting a film with such a large ensemble cast. Sharing his experience, he said, “Very difficult, but it’s a filmmaker’s journey. There were so many hurdles, so many apprehensions, but a director has to go through hell to make a film. Welcome has been a tough journey for me because of the cast I have. To manage the actors’ dates, money, and requirements isn’t an easy journey.”
Welcome To The Jungle: Plot and other details
Directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala, Welcome To The Jungle was described as one of the most ambitious comedy films currently in production. The film promised large-scale sets, high-energy humour, and the chaotic comic tone that made the Welcome series a fan favourite.
The Welcome franchise began with Anees Bazmee’s Welcome in 2007, followed by Welcome Back in 2015. Over the years, the films gained popularity for their over-the-top comedy and memorable characters. Despite facing several delays since its announcement in 2023, Welcome To The Jungle continued to generate strong interest among audiences.
More Pages: Welcome To The Jungle Box Office Collection
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