Ahmed Khan‘Welcome to the Jungle’ has been one of the biggest entertainers of the year, crossing Rs 100 crore at the box office in just 10 days. Written by Akshay Kumar, the third installment of the popular franchise has also sparked discussions for its star-studded cast and outrageous directorial fees. In a recent interview, the filmmaker reflected on assembling a cast of over 30 actors, saving money, and why the film was so profitable before its theatrical release.Speaking to SCREEN, Ahmed Khan revealed that the show wanted a wide cast instead of forcing a few stars into the story.“Yes, the script was already there. When we went to make a team, you had to divide and choose people. So, we had a team of filmmakers (Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal YadavJohnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor), many dots (Suniel ShettyArshad Warsi, Lara Dutta, Jackie Shroff), and another group of villagers (Raveena Tandon, Farida Jalal, Kiran Kumar). So, we knew that there would be 17-18 actors, and we knew who would give which lines and who would have scenes. If they all did the same thing, it would be dangerous.He explained that placing the actors in different groups makes it easier to organize the story and ensure that everyone has a purpose.
A comedy-based drama
The director also explained how the names and personalities of the magicians were carefully crafted to heighten the humor.“We knew we wanted a Paresh-Rajpal moment as the silent directors Dev-Das. They make tigdi with Johnny Lever. If you noticed, the elder brother should be called Dev, but we named him Rajpal Dev and Paresh Das. Then there is Johnny, the Executive Producer who has to do most of the talking. If you put in jokes, it’s like a comedy of errors.“
Finish the film without overspending
Despite the crowd, Ahmed insisted that good planning helped him manage the budget.“Yes, Rs 125 crore is P & A (Prints & Advertising). I completed the film in Rs 110 crore. What happens if I had increased the number of shooting days, the cost would have been much higher. I completed the film in 75 days”.He also explained that growing shoots involves more than production days.“If your shooting increases even by one day, not only does it increase the number of days, but also the cost of providing meals, per diem, production fees, and processing and accounting for the background.Ahmed believes that production delays, rather than a large team, are often the cause of the budget.“Yes. And we knew we had a lot of actors. Had it not been for a lot of actors, I would have completed the film within 75 days and within Rs 75 crore. I heard somewhere that the budget of the movie is Rs 200-250 crore. How can anyone say that? If I had spent that much money, how could I have stayed in the industry for 36 years? I’m not making a very successful film, where I don’t know how to do VFX, and I’m just sitting there while other guys are working on metal in the VFX studio. My video is straight cut. It is just an unnecessary rumor that if there were more actors, the budget would be higher. But there is no truth in that. “
The movie had already recovered its money
Ahmed said that the project was profitable even before people entered the theaters.“We recovered the budget even before the film was released through satellite, digital, and music rights. It was difficult on paper already (laughs). Now, the box of the film is out there for everyone to see. My producers are laughing all the way to the bank. It’s right, right.”
Why he changed the script to the movie ‘Welcome’
The filmmaker revealed that the story, written by the late Neeraj Vora nearly a decade ago, turned into the third installment of the franchise after producer Feroz Nadiadwala approached him.“Neeraj Vora wrote it ten years ago, when ‘Welcome Back’ was released. ‘Welcome’ had a different identity, there are black and white suits and Dubai. So, when Feroz Nadiadwala gave me this script, I told him that this is the next ‘Welcome’. No one wants to see ‘Welcome’ again. We’ve seen enough already.”
Compared to ‘Tees Maar Khan’
Many viewers have compared ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ to Farah Khan’s ‘Tees Maar Khan’, but Ahmed believes that each drama creates its own world.“Look, we use the word ‘brainrot’, but the brain doesn’t really rot. Because you’ve kept your brain on the side and you’re not using it at all. Something’s driving you, so let it drive you. Just sit back and enjoy yourself.”He said, “In terms of similarities, my film is similar to ‘Tees Maar Khan’ as ‘Sultan’ was to ‘Dangal’ 10 years ago. But both did well. There are many police films in one year. So, the feeling is similar, but when you enter the country, the journey is very different.”
Bringing desire back to the franchise
Ahmed said that he kept his old routine to reward old fans.“When we have two characters like that, and we’re doing a third installment, you can forget everything else, but you like to keep some things that the audience will enjoy. We could have avoided it. No one would complain about it, but if you can bring a smile to people’s faces with these little touches, then nothing else matters. “This also inspired an exciting reunion between Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon.“Yes, but that’s not why she sang. Both of them are my friends. When there was a role of a strong lady in the village, I thought that Raveena would be perfect. When I approached her, I told her that I will act in some scenes between her and Akshay. But we are all grown up now. We have children now. So, the words ’20 saal baad aaye ho tum’ struck a chord with the audience that everyone in the theater went crazy (laughter).“
Rethinking the past
Ahmed also talked about casting Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar in different roles that they have done before.“I have never seen them doing comedy, we wanted two serious actors. If you turn up the volume, he’s bawling.”He continued, “Farida ji asked me, ‘What are you making me do?’ Akshay played a major role. He assured him that he was part of the ‘Welcome’ world. So maybe he understood and went with my conviction. “Recalling the lesson he learned while recording the song ‘Kaminey’, Ahmed concluded that the audience connects more with emotions than with hard feelings.“I said if you have to approach anything intelligently, then you should also ask Gulzar sahab… People don’t go into details.