Did Akshay Kumar’s ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Cost a Whopping INR 250 Crore? Director Ahmed Khan Reveals
Director Ahmed Khan has clarified the budget rumours surrounding Akshay Kumar's 'Welcome to the Jungle'.He revealed that the film was made on a budget of over INR 100 crore, but denied reports claiming it cost INR 250 crore. The film, released on June 26, 2026, features a massive ensemble cast and has already crossed INR 100 crore worldwide.
Bollywood's latest laugh riot, Welcome to the Jungle, which hit cinemas worldwide on June 26, 2026, has quickly become a talking point, not just for its massive ensemble cast but also for swirling rumours about its production costs. Reports had widely circulated that the Akshay Kumar-led film was made on an astronomical budget of INR 250-300 crore. However, director Ahmed Khan has now stepped forward to set the record straight, dismissing these figures as highly exaggerated. 'Welcome to the Jungle' Review: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal's Chaotic Comedy Adventure Entertains but Doesn't Live Up to the Franchise's Legacy.
Ahmed Khan Talks About How ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Was Made
In a recent interview, director Ahmed Khan firmly stated that the actual budget for Welcome to the Jungle did not exceed INR 115-125 crore, including all aspects of production, cast, action sequences, and songs. He was quoted saying, "Welcome to the Jungle, with cast, action, songs, everything, I haven't crossed more than INR 115 crore to INR 120 crore, or maybe INR 125 crore. You count the interest money also. I haven't crossed the budget." Khan emphasised his role as a "producer's director," focused on making films within budget and avoiding wastage.
The multi-starrer, produced by Firoz Nadiadwala under Base Industries Group, boasts an unprecedented cast of over 30 actors. This extensive lineup includes prominent names such as Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Aftab Shivdasani, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, and Daler Mehndi. Managing such a colossal ensemble was a significant logistical challenge, with Khan describing the production as akin to operating a mini-town daily.
Reportedly, the film's production costs amounted to approximately INR 60 crore, with cast salaries (excluding Akshay Kumar) at INR 35 crore. The director and technical crew were paid INR 15 crore, and another INR 15 crore was allocated for print and publicity. Akshay Kumar, for his part, reportedly opted for a profit-sharing model instead of an upfront fee, dismissing earlier claims about his remuneration.
‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Box Office
Despite the initial budget controversies, Welcome to the Jungle has quickly found its footing at the box office. The action-comedy, which premiered in theatres on June 26, 2026, has already garnered significant attention. Within its first few days, the film has successfully crossed the INR 100 crore mark worldwide. Shraddha Kapoor Steps Out With Boyfriend Rahul Mody for ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Movie Date (Watch Viral Video).
According to trade reports, the film's investments were substantially de-risked even before its theatrical release. Welcome to the Jungle reportedly recovered a significant portion of its budget through pre-sales, including a substantial INR 120 crore deal for its OTT, satellite, and music rights. This robust pre-release recovery positions the film favourably for its theatrical run, with subsequent box office earnings contributing directly to profits.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 06:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
