Akshay Kumar believes that comedy has become increasingly difficult in the era of social media, where audiences are constantly exposed to memes, reels, and stand-up comedy content. The Bollywood superstar shared his views during an interview with PTI ahead of the release of his upcoming comedy film, Welcome To The Jungle.
Comedy in the Age of Social Media
“It has become much more challenging. Today there are reels, memes and comedy content everywhere,” said the 58-year-old actor. However, he emphasized that comedy is like a vast river that never runs dry. “There are so many forms of comedy – physical comedy, situational comedy, slapstick comedy, dark humour.” Akshay noted that movies are no longer the sole source of entertainment. “If you open Instagram, you’ll find endless memes and funny videos. People consume comedy every day. There are so many comedy shows and talented stand-up comedians creating fresh material. But making people laugh remains one of the most difficult things to do. People often underestimate comedy. I have tremendous respect for stand-up comedians. Standing alone in front of an audience and making people laugh is incredibly difficult.”
Welcome To The Jungle: A Comedy Ensemble
Following his recent release Bhooth Bangla, Akshay is set to star in Welcome To The Jungle, the third instalment of the popular Welcome franchise. The film revolves around a group of gangsters, criminals, and quirky characters whose paths cross in a border-area jungle. What begins as a film-shoot-like operation turns into a series of absurd misadventures involving crime, confusion, and action-packed situations. The cast includes over 30 actors, including Suneil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi, and Lara Dutta. The film is directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Star Studio18, Base Industries Group, Cape of Good Films, and Seeta Films. It is scheduled for theatrical release on Friday.
Self-Deprecating Humour and Bhojpuri Influence
The recently released trailer features several self-deprecating moments, and Akshay said he enjoys being the centre of the joke. “I think making fun of yourself is much better than making fun of somebody else. If I make fun of another person, there’s not much joy in it. But if I joke about myself, that’s far healthier.” He cited a specific scene where actor Jackie Shroff’s character says, “Maine aapko kahin dekha hai” and Suniel Shetty’s character replies, “Aap flop filmein bhi dekhte hain?” When the director and writer narrated that line to him, Akshay immediately approved it. “Why should I have a problem with it? Haven’t I given flop films? Everyone has. There’s nothing wrong in accepting it. That’s why the joke worked so well.”
In the film, Akshay plays a faded star from Bhojpuri cinema. He revealed that he prepared for the role by watching 30 to 40 Bhojpuri songs featuring artists like Ravi Kishan and Pawan. “I wanted to understand their style, their rhythm and the way they perform. What I realised was that Bhojpuri performers bring tremendous energy to their work. There’s a sense of freedom in the way they perform. You can’t have any inhibitions while doing it. That energy has to flow naturally. I learned a lot by observing them.”
Franchise Films: Not a Safe Bet, But Dependent on Quality
The Welcome franchise began with the 2007 hit starring Akshay, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Katrina Kaif, and the late Feroz Khan. It was followed by Welcome Back in 2015. Asked if franchise films are a safe bet, Akshay said everything depends on the quality of the movie. “It’s neither a risk nor a safe bet. If the film is good, it’s a good thing. If the film is not good, then being a franchise doesn’t matter. Recently, my film Bhooth Bangla was released. It wasn’t a franchise. God was kind and people liked it. Ultimately, it all depends on the film itself. People do remember the earlier films and there is a lot of recall value attached to them. But a film will only run if it is good.”
