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The announcement was made by the makers on Monday, ending months of speculation around the project’s release timeline. The film is expected to capitalise on the popularity of the franchise’s trademark humour and music, which helped the earlier films achieve cult status.
Welcome to the Jungle is directed by Ahmed Khan, marking a shift from the previous instalments helmed by Anees Bazmee. The original Welcome released in 2007, followed by Welcome Back in 2015. Both films performed strongly at the box office and gained longevity through television and digital platforms, making the franchise one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable comedy brands.
The upcoming film features a sprawling cast led by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff and Paresh Rawal. Other prominent names include Arshad Warsi, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Aftab Shivdasani, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez and Urvashi Rautela. The makers have also roped in popular comic performers such as Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda, alongside Vindu Dara Singh, Mukesh Tiwari and Yashpal Sharma.
Veteran actors Kiran Kumar, Puneet Issar, Sudesh Berry, Hemant Pandey, Zakir Hussain and Sayaji Shinde are part of the cast, along with singer Daler Mehndi in a special appearance. Industry sources say the film’s scale and crowded cast are designed to deliver overlapping storylines and situational comedy, a format that has worked well for the franchise in the past.
The film also carries emotional significance as it features the late actor Pankaj Dheer in what is being described as his final screen appearance. His inclusion has been acknowledged by the makers as a tribute to his contribution to Indian cinema.
With the June 26 release date, Welcome to the Jungle is positioned as a major mid-year theatrical offering. Trade analysts expect strong initial footfalls driven by nostalgia, star power and the franchise’s family-friendly appeal. Further details on the film’s plot and promotional schedule are expected to be announced in the coming months.
