the director Ahmed Khan ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ opened up about the huge logistical challenges behind making it, revealing that coordinating the schedules of more than 30 actors stretched the shoot to two-and-a-half years. He also addressed stepping into a franchise originally run by Anees Bazmi and talked about the generous support extended by Akshay Kumar And Sunil Shetty Production time.
Ahmed Khan talks about the coordination of more than 30 actors
In an interview given to Mid-Day on the eve of the film’s release, Ahmed Khan said ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ has been one of the most demanding projects of his career.He said, “It was an ambitious project from the word go. Ambition in India means getting the cast and their dates. Every actor is busy with other films and every character in this film is important. That’s why it took us two and a half years.The filmmaker noted that his previous experience with many casts as a choreographer made communication smooth. He also admitted that his naturally “loud and imposing” personality on set helped him keep the large ensemble together through the long production.
Ahmed Khan talks about taking over from Anis Bazmi
Stepping into a franchise that Anees Bazmee built from the ground up is another point of discussion, but Khan was clear that he didn’t feel the need to seek his predecessor’s approval.He said, “We are all friends, but professionally every director can make any film. I don’t need Anees bhai to explain me how to make an action film, and I don’t need anyone to explain comedy. A director is a director. Give him a script and he will make a film.”For Ahmed Khan, a director’s change of perspective is what keeps a franchise alive and fresh. He said, “Otherwise, everyone will be making the same thing over and over again. It’s like moving into a new house. You don’t call the previous owner and ask where he put the sofa. The house is the same, but you arrange the furniture yourself.”Ahmed Khan on returning to theatresIn the same conversation, Ahmed Khan also framed a large-scale entertainment production as a liability to show business. “I can make a short action film and make it a hit, but it’s our duty to give back to theatres,” he said.
Support by Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty
Ahmed Khan was all praise for the two lead actors, crediting them for easing the financial pressure on the film during production.He revealed, “What Akshay and Sunil have done for this film is unbeatable. They just said, ‘Make the picture I am. The picture is kamayegi; we will take it from there.’ They did not say, ‘I have rendered my service; Now give me the money.’
More on ‘Welcome to the Jungle’
Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi and many more. The film releases in theaters on June 26, 2026.
