Welcome to the Jungle Faces Delay: Director Ahmed Khan Breaks Silence on Shoot Chaos

After the Pahalgam tragedy halted the Kashmir shoot, the team scrambles to find a new location while juggling dates of 36 star-studded cast members.

Amid swirling rumours of financial issues and alleged non-payment surrounding Welcome to the Jungle, director Ahmed Khan has stepped forward to set the record straight. In an exclusive chat, he clarified that the primary reason for the film’s current roadblock is not money—but a sudden change in location.

The film, touted as one of Bollywood’s biggest ensemble comedies with 36 actors, had already completed two major shooting schedules. The third schedule, which was planned in Kashmir for June, was meant to take the production close to completion. However, a tragic incident in Pahalgam forced the cancellation of all filming plans in the region.

“We were all set to shoot in Kashmir, but after the unfortunate Pahalgam tragedy, we had no choice but to cancel. Now we’re exploring similar terrains, maybe Kullu or Himachal Pradesh,” Khan explained.

The director emphasized that reorganizing such a large-scale production isn’t easy. “It’s not just about a location. It’s about coordinating the dates of 36 actors all over again. That’s a huge task. We’re rebuilding the schedule from scratch,” he added.

When asked about media reports suggesting financial troubles and unpaid dues on set, Ahmed distanced himself from the speculation. “I don’t know anything about those matters. All financial dealings are handled by producer Firoz Nadiadwala,” he stated.

While fans eagerly await the next Welcome installment, the makers are battling logistical hurdles behind the scenes. However, Khan remains hopeful that the team will bounce back with a new plan—and soon.

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