Mumbai: Even as Welcome To The Jungle enjoys a successful run at the box office, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar remains refreshingly grounded. More than three decades into one of the most enduring careers in Hindi cinema, the actor says he still experiences the same anticipation, nervousness and excitement ahead of every release that he felt at the start of his journey.
Speaking in a recent interview, Kumar dismissed the idea that success has become routine for him. While many assume that a veteran actor with over 30 years in the industry has mastered a formula for success, Kumar insists that no such formula exists.
The actor joked about the common perception that he has a “secret machine” at home capable of producing four films a year. In reality, he says, his prolific output is the result of disciplined time management, consistency and an unwavering work ethic.
Despite his vast experience, Kumar revealed that every film release still feels like awaiting examination results. The uncertainty of audience response continues to keep him on edge, and he believes that sense of nervous excitement is essential to staying motivated.
According to the actor, the day he stops feeling butterflies before a release will be the day he considers stepping away from the profession. For Kumar, maintaining the hunger and enthusiasm of a newcomer remains one of the key drivers of his longevity.
The Challenge of Staying Relevant
Kumar also reflected on the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry and the challenge of understanding evolving audience preferences.
He noted that predicting what viewers want is one of the most difficult aspects of filmmaking. Sometimes, he said, audiences respond best to stories they never expected to enjoy. Merely following trends does not guarantee success, making creative instinct and conviction just as important as market calculations.
The actor emphasized that fearlessness is crucial in choosing projects, adding that if a filmmaker or actor truly believes in an idea, they must pursue it wholeheartedly. Success, he suggested, is often the result of courage, perseverance and a little faith rather than any fixed formula.
A Celebration of Cinema’s Collective Experience
With Welcome To The Jungle drawing audiences back to theatres, Kumar believes the film’s greatest achievement extends beyond ticket sales.
For him, the real victory lies in seeing people gather in cinema halls and share moments of laughter together. At a time when theatrical releases continue to compete with digital entertainment, the communal joy of watching a comedy on the big screen remains invaluable.
When asked about the film’s strong opening weekend and enthusiastic audience response, Kumar responded with characteristic humility, attributing the success to divine blessings with a simple message: “Jai Mahakal.”
Paying Tribute to the Architects of the Welcome Franchise
The actor also took the opportunity to acknowledge the individuals who helped build the immensely popular Welcome franchise.
While Welcome To The Jungle is directed by Ahmed Khan, Kumar reserved special praise for filmmaker Anees Bazmee, the creative force behind the original Welcome.
Calling Bazmee the franchise’s true architect, Kumar said the success of the latest installment would not have been possible without the foundation laid by the filmmaker over two decades ago. He credited Bazmee’s vision and storytelling for creating one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedy universes.
Kumar further expressed gratitude to producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala and franchise stalwarts Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, acknowledging their contributions to the enduring popularity of the series.
Drawing on a lesson from martial arts, Kumar remarked that one should never forget their roots. He described Welcome To The Jungle as a film standing “on the shoulders of giants,” paying tribute to the creators and performers who shaped the franchise’s legacy.
Discipline, Consistency and the Spirit of a Newcomer
As Welcome To The Jungle continues to entertain audiences, Akshay Kumar’s outlook offers a reminder that longevity in cinema is built not on certainty, but on constant reinvention, discipline and an enduring passion for the craft.
Thirty years after his debut, the actor may be one of Bollywood’s most accomplished stars, but his mindset remains unchanged: every Friday is a new test, every film is a new challenge, and every success must be earned all over again.
