Directed by Ahmed Khan, Welcome to the Jungle takes the series in a new creative direction. The first two films in the franchise, Welcome (2007) and Welcome Back (2015), were helmed by Anees Bazmee and became known for their slapstick humour, eccentric characters and memorable one-liners. The new film retains the franchise’s core comedic tone while expanding its scale with one of the largest casts assembled for a Hindi comedy.
Akshay Kumar, who returns to the franchise after nearly two decades, leads a cast that includes Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Aftab Shivdasani, Shreyas Talpade and Tusshar Kapoor. The female cast features Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez and Urvashi Rautela.
Several popular comic performers and character actors are also part of the film, including Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Vindu Dara Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma, Nawab Shah, Kiran Kumar, Puneet Issar, Sudesh Berry, Hemant Pandey, Zakir Hussain and Sayaji Shinde. Singer Daler Mehndi is also set to appear in a special role.
The film holds particular emotional significance as it features the late actor Pankaj Dheer in his final on-screen appearance. Dheer, known for his work in television and films over several decades, passed away earlier this year, making Welcome to the Jungle his last completed project.
According to the makers, the film aims to revive the franchise’s trademark humour while introducing fresh characters and situations. With its expansive cast and familiar comic sensibility, the film is positioned as a major commercial entertainer for the 2026 summer box office.
Industry observers note that ensemble comedies with established franchises have seen renewed audience interest in recent years. The success of Welcome to the Jungle is likely to depend on how effectively it balances nostalgia with contemporary humour.
Further details on the film’s plot and music are expected to be announced in the coming months as promotions gather pace ahead of its release.
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