Ahmed Khan‘Welcome to the Jungle’ emerged as one of the biggest commercial entertainers of the year, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office in just 10 days. Led by: Akshay: Kumar, the third installment of the popular franchise has also sparked conversations about its star-studded cast and surprisingly controlled production costs. In a recent interview, the filmmaker reflected on assembling a cast of more than 30 actors, keeping track of the cost of the review, and why the film was already profitable even before it was released in theaters.Talking to SCREEN, Ahmed Khan revealed that the screenplay naturally demanded a large cast rather than forcing more stars into the story.“Yes, the script is already there. When we went out to make an ensemble, you have to divide and direct people. So, we had a bunch of crew to make the film (Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal:, Rajpal YadavJohnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor), a set of dons (Suniel Shetty:Arshad Warsi, Lara Dutta, Jackie Shroff), and another group of villagers (Raveena Tandon, Farida Jalal, Kiran Kumar). So, we know that there are about 17-18 main actors, and know who will deliver which lines and who will have screen time. If they all do one thing, then it’s a dream.”He explained that organizing the actors into different groups made it easier to balance the narrative and ensure that each character had a purpose.
Comedy rooted in irony
The director also shared how the quirky character names and personalities were carefully designed to maximize the humor.“We knew that we wanted the timing of Paresh-Rajpal as the dumb directors Dev-Das. They formed a team with Johnny Lever. If you noticed, the older brother should be called Dev, but we named Rajpal Dev and Paresh Das. Then there is Johnny, an Executive Producer who has to talk a lot, but he is mute. At the same time, you can see the camera becomes a joke in At the same time, we also play up stereotypes, like making Jacqueline a dumb, blonde heroine.“
Finish the movie without overspending
Despite the large cast, Ahmed insists that disciplined scheduling helped him keep the budget under control.“Yes, Rs 125 crore with P&A (Prints & Advertising). I completed the film for Rs 110 crore. What happens if I increase the number of shooting days, the cost will be higher. I completed the film in 75 days.”He further explained that extending a shoot has an impact beyond the days of production.“If your shoot goes even one day longer, it not only increases the number of days, but the cost of catering, per diem, processing fee, and cost of editing and background score. You don’t realize it, but it goes right up to the end.”Ahmed believes that production delays, rather than a large ensemble, are often responsible for inflated budgets.“Yes. And we know we have so many actors. Without so many actors, I would have completed the film in 75 days and within Rs 75 crore. I heard from some places that the budget of the film is Rs 200-250 crore. How can anyone say that? If I had made money, what was the point of me being in the industry for 36 years? I’m not doing a superhero film, where I don’t even know how to do VFX, and I’m just sitting around while other guys are working the knobs in a VFX studio. My film is a straight cut. It’s just that unnecessary myth that the more actors there are, the higher the budget. But there is no truth in that.”
The film has recovered its investment
Ahmed revealed that the project has become profitable even before the audience goes to the theatres.“We recovered the budget even before releasing the film through satellite, digital, and music rights. It was a hit on paper already (laughs).
Why did he turn the script into a ‘Welcome’ film?
The filmmaker revealed that the story, originally penned by the late Neeraj Vora almost a decade ago, eventually evolved into the third chapter of the franchise after producer Feroz Nadiadwala approached him.“Neeraj Vora wrote it a decade ago, around the same time ‘Welcome Back’ was released. ‘Welcome’ had a different identity, with 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 that ‘Welcome’ again. We’ve seen enough of this.”
Solving ‘Tees Maar Khan’ comparisons
Many viewers have compared ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ to Farah Khan’s ‘Tees Maar Khan’, but Ahmed believes that every comedy creates its own world.“Look, we use the term ‘brainrot’, but the brain actually doesn’t rot. Because you put your brain aside and never use it. Someone else is driving you, so let it drive you. Sit back and enjoy.”He added, “As far as similarities are concerned, my film is as similar to ‘Tees Maar Khan’ as ‘Sultan’ was to ‘Dangal’ 10 years ago. But they both did well. There are so many cop films in a year. So, the ideas are the same, but once you enter the world, the journey is completely different.”
Bring back the nostalgia of the franchise
Ahmed said he thought he kept familiar elements from the franchise to reward longtime fans.“When we have two iconic characters like them, and we’re doing a third installment, you can forget everything, but you probably keep some things that the audience will enjoy as well. We could have avoided it. No one is complaining about it, but if you can put a smile on the public’s face with these minor touches, nothing else matters. “That also inspired the nostalgic pairing between Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon.“Yes, but that was not the reason behind her casting. They are both my friends. When the role of a powerful woman in a village came up, I thought Raveena was perfect. When I approached her, I told her that I will play some scenes between Akshay and her. But we are all grown up now. We have children now. So, the meta reference of ’20 saal baad aaye ho tum’ caught the audience so much that everyone in the theaters went crazy (laughs).“
Veteran actors again
Ahmed also spoke about casting Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar in roles unlike anything they have done before.“I’ve never seen them comedy. We wanted two serious actors. In this, they don’t have comedy either. If you mute Farida ji, you will see that she is crying. If you dial up the volume, he’s whining.”He continued, “Farida ji asked me, ‘What did you make me do?’ Akshay has a big part. He convinces her that she is part of the ‘Welcome’ world. Then maybe he understood and followed my conviction.”Recalling a lesson he learned while choreographing ‘Kaminey’, Ahmed concluded that audiences connect more with emotions than strict logic.“I say if you have to approach everything through logic, you should ask Gulzar sahab too… People don’t go into such deep details. Unless they see someone shot in the previous scene.”