Ahmed Khan opens up on the Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty starrer 'Welcome to the Jungle': 'I don't need anyone to explain comedy to me'

Director Ahmed Khan has opened up about the massive logistical challenge behind making 'Welcome to the Jungle,' revealing that coordinating the schedules of over 30 actors stretched the shoot to two and a half years. He also addressed stepping into a franchise originally helmed by Anees Bazmee and spoke about the generous support extended by Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty during production. Ahmed Khan talks about coordinating 30-plus 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 word go. In India, ambition means getting the cast and their dates. Every actor was busy with other films, and every character in this film is important. That's why it took us two-and-a-half years to complete." The filmmaker noted that his prior experience working with much of the cast as a choreographer made communication smoother. He also admitted that his naturally "loud and dominating" personality on set helped him keep 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're 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'll make a film." For Ahmed Khan, a change in directorial vision is what keeps a franchise alive and fresh. He said, "Otherwise, everyone would keep making the same thing over and over again. It's like shifting into a new house. You don't call the previous owner and ask where he kept the sofa. The house is the same, but you'll arrange the furniture your own way." Ahmed Khan on giving back to theatres In the same conversation, Ahmed Khan also framed the making of a large-scale entertainer as a responsibility towards the exhibition business. "I can make a small action film and make it a hit, but it's our duty to give back to theatres," he said. Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty's 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. Picture kamayegi; we'll take from that.' 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 was released in theatres on June 26, 2026.