Neeraj Vora, Rajkumar Santoshi And Priyadarshan, People Who Shaped my Comedy Space Says Akshay Kumar

The trailer launch of Welcome To The Jungle in Mumbai witnessed an emotional and candid moment when Akshay Kumar spoke from the heart about his journey in comedy, his long association with producer Firoz Nadiadwala, and the influence of legendary writer and filmmaker Neeraj Vora on his career along with Rajkuma Santoshi and Priyadarshan.

Reacting to ongoing rumours about his reported fee of ₹1.7 crore for the film, Akshay addressed the speculation in his trademark straightforward style. He said, “I don’t think I was even paid that much, I didn’t take that much. One crucial aspect was that the story for this film was written by Neeraj Vora. I have always said in my interviews that I learned a great deal about comedy from three people— Priyadarshan-ji, Rajkumar Santoshi, and Neeraj Vora; whatever I know today, I learned largely from them.”

Akshay went on to highlight Neeraj Vora’s pivotal role in shaping his understanding of comedy, especially in commercial Hindi cinema. Vora, known for his iconic writing in films like Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, and Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, was a major creative force behind some of Bollywood’s most beloved comedies. He also directed Akshay Kumar in Khiladi 420 and Phir Hera Pheri, further strengthening their creative association.

Continuing his statement, Akshay added, “Neeraj played a major role in this, so the story was obviously his. Then there is Firoz Nadiadwala, whom I have known for about 36 years—I still remember going to him back when I was struggling, and in a way, I am still struggling today. Getting him here today was a struggle in itself. So, it has been a long journey of struggle. That’s about it.”

His heartfelt remarks added an emotional layer to the high-energy trailer launch, reminding audiences of the long creative partnerships and personal histories behind large-scale Bollywood productions.

Welcome To The Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala, marks the third installment in the hugely popular Welcome franchise. The film follows a chaotic story of self-absorbed actors shooting a fake war film in a real jungle, only to find themselves entangled with actual dangerous bandits, leading to confusion, comedy, and complete mayhem.

The film boasts one of the biggest ensemble casts in Bollywood, featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mukesh Tiwari, and many more.

Scheduled for theatrical release on June 26, 2026, the film is being positioned as one of the biggest comedy spectacles in recent years, driven by nostalgia, ensemble energy, and the legacy of classic Bollywood comedy writing.