‘Let AI Finish It, Release On YouTube’ Netizens REACT As Welcome To The Jungle Shoot Halted After 60% Of Filming Completed

Akshay Kumar’s upcoming comedy Welcome To The Jungle is facing major production troubles. The third instalment of the Welcome franchise, once hyped as a grand comeback, has reportedly come to a standstill after filming just 60% of the movie.

The shoot began in December 2023, but according to reports, there’s been no major progress since August last year. A fresh update from Pinkvilla’s Himesh Mankad reveals that financial issues are at the centre of the chaos, and several big names attached to the film have not been paid yet.

EXCLUSIVE: What’s happening with #WelcomeToTheJungle – Here’s the inside scoop!https://t.co/ZfzRsEOZ8o

— Himesh (@HimeshMankad) June 16, 2025

Money Trouble Halts Welcome To The Jungle Shoot

The film’s shoot has reportedly been cancelled multiple times over the last six months. A source told Pinkvilla, “Around two to three schedules of Welcome To The Jungle have been cancelled… actors have been allotting dates to producer Firoz Nadiadwala, and the same stands cancelled at the last minute due to logistical and financial issues.”

While Akshay Kumar and the remaining cast are reportedly still on board, others have quietly exited the project. Pending payments and the lack of clear communication have left many in the team confused. Despite this, some are sticking around out of love for the franchise. The source added, “They all believe that Welcome is a loved franchise, and are willing to adjust their dates,” the source added.

To make matters more complicated, reports claim Akshay Kumar holds an 80% stake in the film. The rest is said to be split between Nadiadwala and a few other backers. So far, the producer hasn’t issued a public statement.

Netizens React To Reports Of Shoot Cancellation

As soon as the news surfaced online, netizens jumped in with sarcasm, jokes, and savage reactions. One user posted, “Let AI finish 40% of #WelcomeToTheJungle and release it on YouTube.” Another added, “With the debacle of Housefull 5, Welcome 3's fate is already sealed.”

There was also criticism aimed at Nadiadwala’s production. A comment read, “Firoz naa banne wali yeh..” One more user wrote, “Iss movie ka budget toh 300+ crore hoga... matlab ye bhi disaster hone waala hai.”

Check out some reactions below!

With the debacle of Houseful 5, Welcome 3's fate is already sealed. Even if it gets completed, gets released and attracts a decent opening .... though none of it seems likely ... it will incur losses to NGE and add to the probability of its bankruptcy

— Kabir (@ijournalist97) June 16, 2025

Firoz naa banne wali yeh..

— Rehan (@CinephileRehan) June 17, 2025

Let AI finish 40% of #WelcomeToTheJungle and release it on YouTube, unless Akshay Kumar has the guts to put his money where his mouth is and finance the remaining schedule and take higher profit margin.

— Cat innit (@IamCatBruv) June 16, 2025

Iss movie ka budget toh 300+cr hoga.. Mtlab ye bhi disaster hone waala h

— ajay devgn fan (@BantiMe34075180) June 16, 2025

Khiladi @akshaykumar ko ye movie khud produce kar leni chahiye or hera pheri 3 bhi jaldi start kar deni chahiye.

— axay patel 🔥🔥 (@akkiDhoni2) June 16, 2025

The producer realised that this film turned into Housefull 5 but jungle instead of cruise. 80% of the cast was also the same. Plus giving a director like Ahmed Khan this big a budget was insane. Shame. I would've liked to see AK share the screen with Raveena and Lara Dutta.

— Yoshi (@ja_y007) June 16, 2025

The film was officially announced in September 2023 to celebrate Akshay Kumar’s 56th birthday. Touted as a large-scale comedy with an ensemble cast, it was supposed to mark a strong return for the beloved franchise.

About Akshay Kumar Starrer Welcome To The Jungle

Despite the chaos, Welcome To The Jungle still has a target release window between October and December 2026. The shoot is planned over 100 days across various locations.

Sachin-Jigar are on board for the music, and Anirudh is set to handle the background score. But with this kind of delay and lack of clarity, fans are left wondering if the film will ever see the light of day, or if it’ll become yet another high-budget project that got lost in the jungle.