Welcome to the Jungle earns ₹18.75 cr on opening day

The Bollywood comedy "Welcome to the Jungle" opened in theaters on Friday, June 26, 2026, to a solid box office start and a wave of mixed but largely positive audience reactions. The third installment in the popular "Welcome" franchise, starring Akshay Kumar and an ensemble of over 30 actors, earned an estimated 15 crore rupees net in India on its opening day across 10,892 shows. Including 3.75 crore rupees from paid previews held the previous day, its total India net collection stands at 18.75 crore rupees. Worldwide, the film grossed approximately 29 crore rupees on its first day.

Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film follows a convoluted plot involving a businessman's scheme to launder money by producing a deliberately bad movie, leading the hapless cast and crew into chaotic situations in a jungle village. The massive cast includes Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, and Farida Jalal, among many others.

Initial audience reactions on social media have been divided but lean toward approval from viewers seeking straightforward entertainment. Many praised the film as a...