Bollywood's Big Productions Affected by Geopolitical Tensions

The ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran are affecting Bollywood's major productions. Akshay Kumar's film, Welcome To The Jungle, has had to cancel its Dubai shoot, opting instead for Mumbai. This follows a similar cancellation for Shah Rukh Khan's King. Director Ahmed Khan confirmed that the team will now film a grand song sequence in Mumbai, with extensive sets being constructed to maintain the film's lavish aesthetic. The film is set to release on June 26, 2026, featuring a star-studded cast of over 30 actors. Read on to learn more about the film's production challenges and its anticipated release.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 15:44 IST

Impact of Geopolitical Issues on Bollywood

The escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran are beginning to influence Bollywood's major film projects. The production team behind Akshay Kumar's eagerly awaited comedy, Welcome To The Jungle, has had to cancel their planned shooting schedule in Dubai. Instead, the film will now shoot a significant song sequence in Mumbai ahead of its release in May. This change follows a similar cancellation of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film, King, which also had to abandon its Dubai schedule due to the ongoing conflict.

Cancellation of Dubai Shoot for Welcome To The Jungle

Director Ahmed Khan was set to travel to Dubai with a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Disha Patani, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, and others for the shoot. However, the team will now conduct the filming in Mumbai. Ahmed revealed that they had waited for nearly a month, hoping for an improvement in the situation in Dubai. When conditions did not improve, they decided to relocate the shoot entirely to Mumbai. The original plan was to film a lavish and glamorous song in Dubai, which was deemed ideal for the sequence's extravagant vibe.

To maintain the visual appeal, extensive sets are being constructed at three prominent locations: Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Mumbai. Production designer Sailesh Mhadik is in charge of these sets, which will recreate luxurious settings such as nightclubs, casinos, and private jets. The song shoot is expected to commence on April 15.

Details on Welcome To The Jungle's Cast and Release Date

Welcome To The Jungle marks the third installment in the beloved Welcome franchise. The film has been in production for the last couple of years, with filming completed in December of the previous year. It is scheduled for release on June 26, 2026. The film features an extensive cast of over 30 actors, including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Urvashi Rautela, among many others. Notably, this installment does not include the original characters Uday and Majnu, played by Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor. Welcome To The Jungle is produced by AA Nadiadwala and Star Studios, directed by Ahmed Khan, and produced under Base Industries Group and Seeta Films.