Raveena Tandon on 'Welcome to the Jungle': Reuniting with Akshay, Suniel felt like a get-together
Synopsis
Raveena Tandon says working on 'Welcome to the Jungle' with Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty — co-stars from her 1990s heyday — felt less like a film shoot and more like a reunion among old friends. The nostalgia angle is real: their shared filmography spans 'Mohra' to 'Rakshak', making this ensemble outing a genuine throwback for a generation of Hindi film fans.
Key Takeaways
Raveena Tandon described the shoot of 'Welcome to the Jungle' as a 'fun get-together' owing to her long friendships with the cast.
She credited director Ahmed Khan for smoothly managing the film's large and experienced ensemble.
Raveena and Akshay Kumar previously starred together in 'Mohra' , 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' , 'Barood' , and 'Police Force: An Inside Story' .
Her on-screen history with Suniel Shetty includes 'Dilwale' , 'Vinashak' , 'Rakshak' , and 'Aakrosh' .
The film released on 22 June and has received positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon has described her experience filming 'Welcome to the Jungle' as less of a professional shoot and more of a warm reunion with old friends, singling out co-stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty as the reason the set felt so comfortable. The film, directed by Ahmed Khan, released on 22 June and is the latest entry in the long-running Welcome franchise.
Raveena's Take on the Reunion
'Most of the actors I worked with are old friends. Shooting with them felt like a fun get-together, and somewhere along the way, we ended up making a good film,' Raveena said. She also credited director Ahmed Khan for his skill in managing such a large and experienced ensemble. 'I must credit Ahmed for managing such a large and experienced cast so smoothly,' she added.
Decades of On-Screen Chemistry
Raveena's bond with her co-stars is rooted in a rich shared history from the 1990s. She starred opposite Akshay Kumar in several hit films of that era, including 'Mohra', 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi', 'Barood', and 'Police Force: An Inside Story'. Her on-screen partnership with Suniel Shetty is equally storied, spanning films like 'Dilwale', 'Vinashak', 'Rakshak', and 'Aakrosh', among others.
A Massive Ensemble Cast
'Welcome to the Jungle' boasts one of Hindi cinema's largest recent ensemble casts, featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Farida Jalal, Kiran Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Krishna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and Mika Singh, among others. Coordinating such a cast is itself a logistical achievement, and Raveena's praise for Khan's direction reflects the challenge involved.
Off-Screen Bonds Too
Raveena had earlier revealed that she, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Disha Patani bonded off-set over caring for a stray puppy they encountered during the shoot — an animal that reportedly later became part of Raveena's own family. The anecdote underscores the warmth that, by all accounts, characterised the film's production environment.
Critical and Audience Reception
'Welcome to the Jungle' has been receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences since its release, continuing the franchise's track record as a crowd-pleasing entertainer. With nostalgia, comedy, and a sprawling star cast as its core ingredients, the film appears to have struck a chord with viewers looking for a breezy theatrical experience.
Point of View
It worked on set as much as on screen. What's worth noting is how rare genuine on-set camaraderie is in an era of back-to-back schedules and sprawling ensemble logistics. Ahmed Khan's ability to hold a cast of this size together without visible friction is the unsung story here. Whether that warmth translates into sustained box-office legs beyond the opening weekend is the real test for a franchise that has always run on personality over plot.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Raveena Tandon say about filming 'Welcome to the Jungle'?
Raveena Tandon said that shooting the film felt like a 'fun get-together' because most of her co-stars are old friends. She also praised director Ahmed Khan for managing the large ensemble cast smoothly.
Who directed 'Welcome to the Jungle'?
'Welcome to the Jungle' was directed by Ahmed Khan. The film is the latest instalment in the popular Welcome franchise and features one of Hindi cinema's largest recent ensemble casts.
When did 'Welcome to the Jungle' release?
'Welcome to the Jungle' released on 22 June and has since received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
What films did Raveena Tandon and Akshay Kumar do together previously?
Raveena Tandon and Akshay Kumar previously starred together in several 1990s hits including 'Mohra', 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi', 'Barood', and 'Police Force: An Inside Story'.
Who else is in the cast of 'Welcome to the Jungle'?
The film features a massive ensemble including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Johnny Lever, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Rajpal Yadav, Kiku Sharda, Mika Singh, and others.
