Akshay Welcome 3 hits a roadblock. Anees Bazmee's iconic film 'Welcome' made waves in 2007, and years later, the director delighted fans with a sequel titled 'Welcome Back.' Now, the anticipation is building for 'Welcome To The Jungle' (Welcome 3), the latest installment of the franchise, set to grace theaters next year. However, the production of the film has hit a roadblock as the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has intervened due to unpaid dues.
'Welcome To The Jungle,' the third part of the 'Welcome' series, boasts an ensemble cast featuring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, and many others. The film is scheduled for release on December 20, 2024.
FWICE has made an appeal to Jyoti Deshpande, C.E.O. of Viacom 18, as well as other actors and technicians associated with Firoz Nadiadwala's 'Welcome to the Jungle.' Their appeal is to urge the producer to settle the outstanding payments owed to filmmaker Anees Bazmee, whose cheques have reportedly bounced.
It's worth noting that FWICE had previously issued a non-cooperation notice against Firoz Nadiadwala three years ago. Additionally, the federation has communicated with all the actors involved in 'Welcome 3,' including Akshay Kumar and Disha Patani, advising them not to proceed with the film's shooting until Firoz Nadiadwala resolves the pending dues owed to the technicians from 'Welcome 2.'
BN Tiwari, President of FWICE, stated, "We have informed all the actors of the film, including Akshay Kumar and Disha Patani, that the federation has issued a non-cooperation notice to Firoz Nadiadwala for defaulting on payments. They should not participate in the film's production until the pending dues of Rs 2 crore for the technicians are cleared. Nadiadwala had initially paid the technicians of 'Welcome 2' in 2015, an amount of about Rs 4 crore, which was later reduced to Rs 2 crore. However, Nadiadwala stopped payment after we deposited the cheque."
He added, "Although we issued a non-cooperation notice in 2015, we will now implement it since he has begun work on his next film, and we will not allow him to continue filming until the payments are settled."
'Welcome to the Jungle' is helmed by director Ahmed Khan and features a star-studded cast, including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Rahul Dev, Mukesh Tiwari, Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Zakir Hussain, and Yashpal Sharma. The film also includes leading actresses Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Disha Patani, and the dynamic Vrihi Kodvara.
'Welcome To The Jungle' is presented by Jio Studios and Base Industries Group, produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Firoz A Nadiadwala, and directed by Ahmed Khan. Currently in pre-production, the film is slated for a theatrical release on December 20, 2024.