It appears that fans will have to wait longer for the next instalment of one of Bollywood’s beloved franchises. We have learnt exclusively that Welcome To The Jungle (WTTJ), featuring Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Paresh Rawal and others, will not meet its scheduled release date of December 20.

A source close to the project reveals, “Welcome... has been mounted on a grand scale, with the first schedule wrapping up recently in May. It was a lengthy shoot in Aarey Colony, Mumbai, with the entire star cast present. However, this was just the first of several schedules planned. Additionally, significant VFX work will be required after principal photography concludes. Given these factors, a December 20 release seems unlikely.” This delay also means it will no longer clash with Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which is also eyeing a Christmas release this year.

WTTJ marks Akshay Kumar’s return to the franchise after he was absent from Welcome Back (2015). It also reunites him on-screen with Raveena Tandon after a gap of 20 years.