India, July 6 -- With Akshay Kumar's Welcome to the Jungle crossing Rs.100 crore at the Indian box office, writer Farhad Samji speaks to Hindustan Times about the film's three-and-a-half-year journey, managing a cast of over 34 actors, handling criticism, and why he believes a film's biggest test is whether families feel their money was well spent.

For Farhad, comedy offers instant feedback in a way few other genres can. "The love from the crowd over the last few days has exceeded expectations; they are turning the theater into a stadium. With a thriller, you are in a skeptical or suspenseful mood, but comedy is a genre where you hear people laughing and see their body language, so you immediately know they are enjoying it."

Getting the...