It looks like there have been serious production issues with Akshay Kumar's eagerly awaited movie, Welcome to the Jungle.
Filming for the comedy, the third installment in the well-liked Welcome franchise, has reportedly been put on hold indefinitely because of significant financial difficulties.
Even though production started in December 2023, the project hasn't advanced much in the last nine to ten months; the most recent shoot was in August 2023. There are still many aspects of the movie's production that are excellent.
A report by Pinkvilla indicates that the extensive cast, including its prominent stars, has yet to receive their payments, adding to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the film's future.
"Around two to three schedules of Welcome To The Jungle have been cancelled over the last six months, leaving the actors and their team confused about the prospects. The actors have been allotting dates for the shoot of Welcome To The Jungle to producer Firoz Nadiadwala, and the same stands cancelled at the last minute due to logistical and financial issues," a source informed the news portal.
The source further elaborated on the challenging situation: "There are also issues of non-payment of dues to the actors and their staff. Some of the originally cast actors have left the film, and the remaining are still lending their support for the love of the franchise. They all believe that Welcome is a loved franchise, and are willing to adjust their dates to finish Welcome To The Jungle."
A Hindi news report has asserted that Akshay Kumar holds a significant 80 per cent stake in Welcome To The Jungle, with the remaining 20 per cent shared by producer Firoz Nadiadwala and other parties. As of now, Nadiadwala has refrained from making any public comments on the situation.
The film's official announcement was made in September 2023, coinciding with Akshay Kumar’s 56th birthday, generating considerable buzz at the time.
The cast of Welcome To The Jungle is incredibly talented, including some of Bollywood's most well-known comedians and action performers. Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Rahul Dev, Mukesh Tiwari, Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Zakir Hussain, and Yashpal Sharma are among the large cast.
Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, and Vrihi Kodvara are the leading female actors. Ahmed Khan is the film's director, and its initial release date was set for December 20, 2024. This initial release date is clouded by the current financial situation.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.