'Welcome 3' shelved? Announcement video removed from JioStudios's YouTube page
What's the story
The future of the upcoming Bollywood film, Welcome 3, also known as Welcome to the Jungle, is currently uncertain.
This follows the abrupt removal of the movie's official announcement video from JioStudios's YouTube channel.
The action has sparked speculation among fans about whether the project has been shelved/postponed or if JioStudios has withdrawn its support.
However, no official confirmation regarding these concerns has been provided yet.
Production woes
'Welcome 3' has been mired in a few problems
Welcome to the Jungle, the third installment of the popular Welcome franchise, was announced in 2023 and has since been embroiled in several controversies.
The film's cast includes Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta and Jacqueline Fernandez, among numerous others.
However, Sanjay Dutt exited due to scheduling conflicts after already shooting for 15 days.
This departure left the production team unsure about whether to reshoot his scenes or incorporate his absence into the storyline.
Cast concerns
Nana Patekar rejected 'Welcome 3' due to lack of story
Nana Patekar, who portrayed the memorable character Uday Shetty in the franchise, declined to participate in Welcome 3 citing a lack of compelling narrative.
In an interview with The Lallantop, he stated that both he and Anil Kapoor (Majnu) were approached for the film but turned it down due to its weak storyline.
Moreover, earlier this month, the set was partially damaged due to heavy rainfall, leading to budget and logistical issues.
Film anticipation
'Welcome 3' features a huge ensemble cast
Apart from the aforementioned actors, other notable cast members include Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, and Mika Singh, among others.
While Welcome and Welcome Back were directed by Anees Bazmee, Welcome 3's reins are with Ahmed Khan.
Kumar, meanwhile, was last seen in Khel Khel Mein earlier this month.