'Welcome to the Jungle' Review: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal's Chaotic Comedy Adventure Entertains but Doesn't Live Up to the Franchise's Legacy
'Welcome to the Jungle' has debuted to mixed reactions from critics and audiences, offering a chaotic, slapstick family entertainer led by Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. While some viewers praise the film's high-energy humor, veteran comedy performances, and nostalgic franchise appeal, others criticize its overstuffed 30-actor ensemble and disjointed plot.
The highly anticipated third instalment of the Welcome franchise, Welcome to the Jungle, was released in theatres worldwide today, June 26, 2026. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the action-comedy features a massive ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, and Raveena Tandon. Initial reports indicate that the film leans heavily into slapstick humour, pop-culture parodies, and high-energy chaos, positioning itself as a pure family entertainer.  Jacqueline Fernandez’s Bodyguard Holds Her Wrist as She Poses With Fans; Angry Netizens Call It ‘Bad Touch’ (Watch Video).
'Welcome to the Jungle' Review
Early reactiona dna critics have praised the film as a thorough entertainer. Audiences have lauded Akshay Kumar’s return to his classic comic zone, highlighting his strong screen presence and sharp timing alongside the veteran trio of Paresh Rawal, Johny Lever, and Rajpal Yadav.
Watch the Trailer of 'Welcome to the Jungle':
Conversely, more critical reviews have labelled the production a "silly spectacle" and an overstuffed asset, arguing that the massive cast of over 30 actors leads to a messy, disjointed screenplay. Critics have pointed out continuity errors, sudden musical numbers, and a lengthy first hour dedicated solely to character introductions as major drawbacks.
India Today: "Welcome to the Jungle could have been a jungle comedy about anything. Instead, it wants to do it all - being a spoof, an action film, a patriotic drama, a romance, a social commentary, a war movie and also a showcase for every celebrity with a free weekend. Somewhere between Akshay's enthusiastic overacting and Disha's determined underacting, the film discovers a new benchmark for mediocrity. It sets the bar so low that it stops being a line and becomes a dot. To be fair, it's not all bad."
NDTV: "Welcome to the Jungle bungs in whatever it can rustle up and get away with. While it is at it, it lampoons, among other things, the overdose of patriotic fervour that Hindi films about anti-terror secret agents peddle these days. It also parodies contemporary cinema's over-reliance on CGI and VFX, the wages of movie stardom, the ways of screen lovers and gangsters, and filmmaking itself. Welcome to the Jungle has no dearth of words, but the film can be summed up in just three words: jungle mein mangled. "
Lensmen Reviews: "Actors who played key roles in Mahabarat and Border are part of the movie, reminding us of their iconic characters. Well, it was so sad to see them selling the image they earned over a lifetime for a trashy movie like this. There will be a lot of people who would say don’t look for logic in this movie. Welcome was a hit, not because of the logic. It created iconic characters and lines, and that film had clarity on what they wanted to create. At the beginning of the movie, we get to see the credits when the new Ucha Lamba Kad song is shown on screen. When the credit reaches the producer Firoz Nadiadwala’s name, the visual abruptly cuts, and later we are shown the names of the producers and director again in a different style. I mean, the last-minute editing of this movie is so hasty that they are making such basic errors in a Bollywood movie."
Rediff: "Of its sprawling cast, Kiran Kumar and Farida Jalal score for being a sport. Suniel Shetty's zany Yedda Anna walks away with some of the funniest sequences. Comedy aces Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Johny Lever, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav can make jokes in their sleep and they'll still land. Welcome To The Jungle benefits from their spontaneity even when it cannot keep up with it. Though it's only a few scenes, Daler Mehndi is the one springing a surprise with his deadpan sincerity in a muddle of farcical overkill. Comedy hits best when it's genuinely committed to the dishonesty at play. Welcome To The Jungle's moment of truth arrives when Akshay pleads 'Hum sab bhand hain' in the face of fear and power. If only the rest of this slog was as self-aware as this single scene." Akshay Kumar Reacts to ‘Flop Actor’ Tag in ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Trailer, Says THIS (Watch Video).
More About 'Welcome to the Jungle'
Welcome to the Jungle marks a major structural shift for the franchise, which began with the iconic hit Welcome (2007) and was followed by Welcome Back (2015). Ahmed Khan stepped in as director for this third iteration, taking over from Anees Bazmee. Produced by Firoz A Nadiadwala, the film's sprawling cast also includes Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jackie Shroff, and veteran actors Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar, who have both been singled out by viewers for their standout poker-faced comic performances.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2026 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
