SRINAGAR: The buzz around the star-studded comedy Welcome To The Jungle has taken a serious turn this week, as its scheduled shoot in Kashmir hit an unexpected pause, not over finances, as initially speculated, but due to the volatile security situation in the Valley following April’s terror attack in Pahalgam.
The Akshay Kumar-led multistarrer, the third instalment in the Welcome franchise, was slated to begin its final production schedule in Kashmir, involving a massive logistical setup: helicopters, 250 horses with horsemen, and 1200 junior artists. However, according to a source closely associated with the production, this elaborate setup was derailed after the April 22 Baisaran tragedy, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives.
Now, the filmmakers are scouting alternate locations to complete the remaining 30 per cent of the film. “Everything is on track. All 34 actors are excited and ready for the final marathon schedule. But the rains and the tragedy have forced a change of plans,” the source said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, meanwhile, has weighed in on the broader implications of the disruption, both for film tourism and for Kashmir’s image.
Speaking at a press interaction earlier this week, Omar Abdullah said, “If we truly want tourism to restart, we must gradually review and shorten the list of restricted areas.” His remarks came amid a larger conversation around the reopening of key parks and tourist sites in Kashmir, which had been closed in the aftermath of the April attack.
For the beleaguered local economy in Pahalgam, heavily dependent on seasonal tourism, this movie shoot was more than a film production; it represented a lifeline. Stakeholders say that the temporary setback is emblematic of the larger uncertainties that continue to haunt Kashmir’s tourism economy, despite promising signs of recovery.
After weeks of near-zero bookings, the Valley has begun to witness the first trickle of local and out-of-state tourists. Eid brought in domestic travellers, primarily Kashmiris from other districts, and more recently, tourists from Punjab and Europe have started visiting again. Foreign tour groups, especially from Poland, have praised Kashmir’s hospitality and reiterated their trust in the region’s safety.
Still, the scars from the April attack linger.
Said Mushtaq Pahalgami, president of the Pahalgam Hotel and Guest House Owners Association, “We welcome the decision to reopen Betaab Valley and the Pahalgam parks, but unless we see places like Aru Valley and Baisaran reopened too, full revival is hard.”
Tour operators have called the shift in the Welcome To The Jungle shoot location a symbolic loss for Kashmir, given the film’s massive reach and potential to generate employment, visibility, and confidence.
Director Ahmed Khan began filming the project in 2023 with a sprawling cast that includes Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, and more. Sanjay Dutt, who was earlier announced as part of the ensemble, exited the film due to scheduling conflicts. The film follows in the footsteps of 2007’s Welcome and 2015’s Welcome Back, both of which were commercial successes.
Despite the pause, sources from the production insist that the shoot is not shelved. A revised location is expected to be finalised soon, likely outside Kashmir, with filming to resume after the monsoon season.
But the moment has sparked a larger debate in the Valley: if Kashmir is to revive its image and reclaim its position as a top tourism and filming destination, both security perception and actual ground access must be managed with greater nuance.
As Omar Abdullah put it, “We cannot say tourism is welcome while simultaneously sending out signals that we are not ready.”
