Global Unrest: King, Welcome to the Jungle Move Key Sequences to Mumbai

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have begun impacting major Bollywood productions, prompting last-minute changes to international shooting schedules. Two high-profile films—King and Welcome to the Jungle—have now scrapped their planned Dubai shoots and shifted operations to Mumbai.

The decisions come as filmmakers prioritize safety and logistical stability over overseas filming.

King Moves Crucial Schedule to Mumbai

Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action drama King, directed by Siddharth Anand, was originally scheduled to shoot a major sequence in Dubai starting April 9.

However, the production team has now relocated the schedule to Mumbai due to the volatile situation in the region. According to sources, the move was made to avoid any risk to the cast and crew, with an elaborate set being constructed locally to recreate the planned scenes.

In addition to safety concerns, scheduling complexities involving a large ensemble cast also contributed to the decision. Shifting to Mumbai is expected to streamline coordination and ensure smoother execution.

The film has generated significant buzz, particularly as it marks the first on-screen collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan. The ensemble cast also includes Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Arshad Warsi, Abhay Verma, and Raghav Juyal.

Welcome to the Jungle Cancels Dubai Song Shoot

Following a similar trajectory, Akshay Kumar’s Welcome to the Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan, has also dropped its Dubai schedule.

The team had planned to film a lavish song sequence in the city featuring a large ensemble cast. However, after waiting for several weeks for conditions to stabilize, the makers opted to relocate the shoot to Mumbai.

Confirming the change, Ahmed Khan said, “We will now shoot the song in Mumbai. It’s a glamorous song with the entire cast.”

Elaborate Mumbai Sets to Recreate Dubai’s Scale

To maintain the visual grandeur originally envisioned for Dubai, the production will now rely on detailed set designs in Mumbai. Filming is expected to take place across locations such as Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Goregaon.

Production designer Sailesh Mhadik is creating elaborate setups that replicate luxury environments, including nightclubs, casinos, and private jets.

The sequence features an extensive cast, including Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Shreyas Talpade, among others. Coordinating their schedules again would have been challenging, making relocation the most practical option.

Growing Impact on Film Production

The shift in plans for both King and Welcome to the Jungle underscores how evolving global tensions are affecting film logistics, travel, and scheduling decisions.

With uncertainty around international locations, production houses are increasingly opting for controlled domestic environments, where safety and timelines can be better managed.