Ahmed Khan on ‘Ucha Lamba Kad Forever’ Comparisons: ‘I Would Have Taken Katrina Kaif If Possible’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Director-choreographer Ahmed Khan is aware of the mixed response on social media to “Ucha Lamba Kad Forever” from “Welcome to the Jungle.” The track is the recreated version of the popular track featured in the 2007 comedy “Welcome.”

The new song has sparked comparisons to the original “Uncha Lamba Kad,” which starred Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. Speaking to Variety India, Khan says he understands the reaction and believes it stems largely from audience nostalgia for the earlier film and its music.

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“The bigger the eyeballs, the bigger the reaction. In that process, you are bound to get a variety of feedback. There would not have been different reactions had it only been seen by a few people. India is a big country. When a big film releases, the reactions are way bigger.  ‘Uncha Lamba Kad’ was a big release. It also had Akshay Kumar. The saving point of the new song was that we had Akshay in this, too. We did not let a new actor recreate the old song. He is dancing with the same energy and creating the same mood,” Khan says.

Addressing Katrina Kaif’s absence from the recreated version, Khan reveals that he would have preferred to reunite the original pair had it been possible. “I would have taken Katrina Kaif had she been acting at the moment. But she is not. So, we have Disha Patani. She is the heroine of this film. She is like Katrina in height and physique. She is beautiful. It’s not like we have taken a heroine who is nowhere close to Katrina,” he adds.

Khan also argues that the discussion surrounding the song is ultimately a positive sign, indicating that audiences have embraced the new version even as they remain attached to the original. “Now that people are talking about the song, it assures us that they have accepted it. But they don't want to let go of their past nostalgia, which I am okay with,” he shares with certainty.

“Welcome to the Jungle,” the latest installment in the ‘Welcome’ franchise, features an ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar and includes Disha Patani, Paresh Rawal, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav and several other actors. It releases on June 26, 2026.