Popular choreographer turned filmmaker Ahmed Khan recently had an exclusive conversation with IHNS. Currently busy shooting for his upcoming film, Welcome to the Jungle, the director talked about how he is handling such a huge star cast on the sets, also revealed about the behind-the-scenes banter, the real reason behind Sanjay Dutt’s exit, Baap’s release date and much more.
Fans are waiting for Welcome to the Jungle. How much shooting is still left?
We are almost at the end. It will be completed by January. We are planning to release the film in the middle of next year.
Akshay Kumar recently shared a glimpse with Disha Patani from the sets. Is Disha Patani paired with Akshay in the film, or was it just for the song sequence?
No-no, not just for songs, he is in films also. There is Jacqueline, there is Lara and there is Raveena too. You will have to watch the film to know who is with Akshay.
What kind of comedy can audiences expect from Welcome to the Jungle? Is it a situational comedy, farce, or brain rot?
It is a dark dark situational comedy. This is not a comedy. Producers always say that we should not make comedy films. Firoz Nadiadwala believes in dark humor and situational humor. And of course, this is serious cinema: not comedy or slapstick.
So, when you watch Welcome to the Jungle, if you mute it and watch it, you will think you are watching a serious movie. You turn up the volume, and you realize you’re watching an idiot’s conversation. There’s also a lot of action and the scale is huge.
Do you believe that it is difficult these days to make people laugh without hurting someone?
Comedy has always been aggressive. Charlie Chaplin also used to do that kind of comedy, which basically consisted of hits, falls and slaps. Comedy happens when a person laughs a lot. Otherwise, you should be so talented and the dialogues should have such good writing that you can make someone laugh through the dialogues. You laugh more when someone is poor or in trouble. You laugh more when you’re in pain. So, comedy comes out of pain.
How are you managing such a big group on the set?
I know it’s a stress. I think I can say without any doubt that Welcome to the Jungle is the only film that has such a huge cast and all are well-known actors. They are not unknown. So, I knew we were headed for some tough challenges in terms of dates. Firoz Nadiadwala and I have such a good relationship with everyone else that they managed it for us. So it took us about one and a half years to do this film. But they all came with dates.
Shooting is not an issue for me as I have worked with everyone in my life. Basically, we’re all friends on set, and in between shots, there’s a lot of joking around, and so there’s more comedy off camera as well.
Your second film Baap is also in the pipeline. Can you share any update on that? When can it see the light of day?
It is now complete and Zee (Zee Studios) is going to plan the release. So that is also like a big film. However, the director is new. But that too has been completed and G is going to announce the release date soon.
You worked with Sunny Deol in your first film and now you are shooting with Akshay Kumar. Have you ever thought of bringing Sunny Deol and Akshay Kumar together in a film?
I would love to and both are very close to me. I have worked with both of them extensively. I would like to collaborate on a film with Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty and Sanjay Dutt and put all of them together in a good action, tough, testosterone-driven film.
Since you mentioned Sanjay Dutt. There were rumors that he left Welcome to the Jungle due to some creative differences. What happened?
No. No. It was so long ago that the dates did not match. Otherwise, he was always a part of the film. The dates did not match and then he had to go to America for treatment.
There is also talk that you are directing Awara Pagal Deewana 2. Is it true?
That’s on the pipeline. But I want to finish this first. Because this is the Titanic that I am taking. So, the stray crazy will be next as soon as I take over.
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