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New Delhi: The much-hyped Bollywood comedy 'Welcome To The Jungle', featuring a star-studded cast of 36 big names including Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, and Raveena Tandon, has hit a major roadblock. While fans were expecting a Christmas 2024 release, the film’s new release date is now unclear.

Director Ahmed Khan, who’s helming the third installment of the beloved Welcome franchise, recently addressed the buzz surrounding the film’s delays. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he rubbished rumours suggesting the production was stalled due to financial issues or unpaid dues to actors.

“I have no idea about the financial side of things. That’s entirely handled by the producer, Firoz Nadiadwala,” Ahmed Khan clarified, distancing himself from the monetary aspects of the project.

Ahmed Khan Talks About Location Issues

According to him, the real culprit behind the delay is logistics, specifically the difficulty of managing such a massive ensemble cast and the recent fallout of a planned shooting schedule.

Ahmed Khan explained that nearly 70 per cent of the film has already been shot, with two schedules completed. The final and most crucial phase was to be filmed in Kashmir this June. But those plans were scrapped after a tragic incident in Pahalgam, forcing the team to rework their location strategy from scratch.

“Our third and most extensive schedule was supposed to take place in Kashmir in June, and that would have brought us closer to wrapping up the film. But after the tragedy in Pahalgam, it was no longer viable. We had to scrap the plan altogether,” Khan revealed.

Now, the makers are considering alternatives like Kullu and other parts of Himachal Pradesh. But with 36 actors’ schedules to coordinate, the process has become painstakingly slow.

'Welcome To The Jungle' also stars Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Johnny Lever, and Rajpal Yadav among others, promising a laugh riot once it eventually hits screens. But for now, fans will have to wait just a little longer for the jungle madness to unfold.