Nana Patekar played Uday Shetty and Anil Kapoor played Majnu Bhai in Anees Bazmee’s iconic comedy film, Welcome. The director then took another route for Welcome 2 and the actors weren’t a part of the film. However, Welcome to the Jungle will see Akshay Kumar reunite with several of his co-stars and fans were hoping to see Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor back in the franchise. The veteran actor has revealed why he said no to the film.
Speaking to The Lallantop, he said, “They did approach us. We said no. Kahani nahi hai. Utna mazza nahi aaya. (There’s no story. We didn’t enjoy it as much),” Nana added.
Nana Patekar also said that he was unsure about playing Uday Bhai at first and asked Anees Bazmee to swear on his mother that he would suit the role. “But it wouldn’t have been complete if Anil and I weren’t doing it together. If Anil and I are there, then only Welcome is possible. If you remove me, then he alone can’t make Welcome and vice-versa,” Nana added. Nana Patekar also mentioned how the film’s sequel, Welcome Back, did not work well at the box office.
The third instalment in the Welcome franchise, Welcome To The Jungle, is one of the most highly anticipated projects of the year. It will not only mark Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy after many years but also witness an ensemble comprising more than 30 actors, a phenomenon that has become a rarity in new-age Bollywood. While the makers have wrapped the first schedule of the film, buzz is that, the film is eyeing a new release date. Welcome To The Jungle was all set to release on December 20, 2025.
A source close to the production house then informed Hindustan Times, “Welcome… has been mounted on a grand scale, with the first schedule wrapping up recently in May. It was a lengthy shoot in Aarey, Maharashtra, with the entire star cast present. However, this was just the first of several schedules planned. Additionally, significant VFX work will be required after principal photography concludes. Given these factors, a December 20 release seems unlikely.”
When the first glimpse of the film was unveiled last year, it generated quite a buzz due to its stellar star cast and distinction from the two previous films. Shreyas Talpade, who will feature in the film in a prominent role, had opened up about its plot during an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha.
He told us, “It’s a pretty interesting and funny story about these guys all coming together and pulling off a kind of stunt. The brief was very clear, let’s have some madness on set and let’s make sure we entertain people. I’m looking forward to the next big schedule we’ll have in March. There are some crazy scenes with me and Tusshar together. That was one of the USPs, not only me and Tusshar but also Arshad and Sanju sir are coming together.”
For the unversed, Akshay is joined by Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh, among many others, in the comic caper.
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