Ahmed Khan opens up on Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty starrer ‘Welcome to the Jungle’: ‘I don’t need anyone to explain comedy to me’ | Hindi Movie News
director Ahmed Khan has opened up about the huge logistical challenge behind making ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, revealing that coordinating the schedules of more than 30 actors stretched the shoot to two and a half years. He also tackled the move in a franchise originally run by Anees Bazmee and spoke of the generous support provided by Akshay Kumar i Suniel Shetty during production.
Ahmed Khan talks about coordinating over 30 actors
In an interview with Mid-Day on the eve of the film’s release, Ahmed Khan said the sheer scale of the ensemble cast made “Welcome to the Jungle” one of the most demanding projects of his career.He said, “It was an ambitious project from the start. In India, ambition means getting the cast and their dates. All the actors were busy with other movies, and every character in this movie is important. That’s why it took us two and a half years to complete it.”The filmmaker noted that his previous experience working with many of the cast as a choreographer made communication easier. He also admitted that his naturally “happy and commanding” personality on set helped him hold the large ensemble together through the lengthy production.
Ahmed Khan talks about taking over from Anees Bazmee
Stepping into a franchise that Anees Bazmee built from the ground up was another talking point, but Khan was clear that he never felt the need to seek his predecessor’s approval.He said, “We are all friends, but professionally every director can make any film. Anees bhai doesn’t need me to explain how to make an action film, and I don’t need anyone to explain comedy to me. A director is a director. Give him a script and he will make a film.”For Ahmed Khan, a change in the director’s vision is what keeps a franchise alive and fresh. He said: “Otherwise everyone would just keep doing the same thing over and over again. It’s like moving into a new house. You don’t call the previous owner and ask them where they kept the sofa. The house is the same, but you arrange the furniture in your own way.”Ahmed Khan on return to theatresIn the same conversation, Ahmed Khan also framed the creation of a large-scale entertainer as a liability towards show business. “I can make a small action film and make it a hit, but it’s our duty to give back to the theaters,” he said.
Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty support
Ahmed Khan was effusive in his praise for the two lead actors, crediting them for easing the film’s financial pressures during production.He revealed, “What Akshay and Suniel did for this film is unbeatable. They simply said, ‘Picture achhi banao.’ Image kamayegi; we’ll take it.” They didn’t say, ‘I’ve rendered my services, now pay me.
More about “Welcome to the Jungle”
Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film features Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi and more. The film opened in theaters on June 26, 2026.
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