'We Didn't Go Over-Budget': Ahmed Khan On Welcome To The Jungle 'Delay' Rumours | Exclusive

Akshay Kumar starrer Welcome To The Jungle went on floors in December 2023 in Mumbai. But the film witnessed major production hurdles and budgetary issues, causing multiple delays. It got postponed, reportedly, due to pending payments, other logistical problems and the budget going overboard. The shoot finally wrapped up end of last year and the film released this June.

Speaking exclusively to News18, director Ahmed Khan opens up the reasons the film suffered delay and says, “We would decide on a date to shoot. We would plan the locations, everyone would be given their token and their costumes would get made. But suddenly, I would come to know that six actors don’t have their dates for that particular schedule.”

“How could I’ve started the shoot?

That’s why the shoot would get cancelled. Set aadha reh jaata tha aur phir naya set banta tha. Then, this one time, we were to shoot in Kashmir. The whole set was constructed. We had spoken to the Ministry of Defence. But then the Pulwama attack took place. Again, the film got pushed. These wastages were uncalled for,” he adds.

Reportedly, Welcome To The Jungle was made on a budget of Rs 250 crore to Rs 300 crore. But Ahmed debunks these speculations and reveals that they never went over-budget. “We made the film on a budget of Rs 125 crore – with such a big cast, their payments, big action set pieces and six songs. But we didn’t go over-budget,” he states.

Ahmed further continues, “I think this is the most profitable film for any producer and any studio. We’ve already recovered the budget from digital, satellite, music and overseas rights. Theatres are additionally running full.” While under production, he says that many had speculated that his directorial will never see the light of day.

“So many people thought that our film would get shelved. They’ve this perception in mind that a film should be wrapped up in a year’s time. But in a year, we managed to make only 30 percent of the film. After that, all the actors came forth and stated that they would give us five extra days each. Humne socha ki bada chunk shoot karenge hi karenge. That’s how we managed to finish the film,” he remarks.

But was he ever worried that the film would never release? “I had a guy with me named Akshay Kumar. That’s why I didn’t have to worry about the film never finishing shoot. Hero ka mood off nahi hua. Usne aisa nahi bola ki usko shoot nahi karna hai. Secondly, I had the support of my producer, Firoz A Nadiadwala,” he says.

Lauding his producer, Ahmed tells us, “He didn’t make a film for 12 years. But he made it with a lot of passion. He said, yeh film hona hi hona hai. He doesn’t have the word ‘no’ in his dictionary. Nothing is impossible for him. He gave me a lot of strength. H enevr interfered. he gave his inputs and let me do my own thing.”