📌 Key Points
- Akshay Kumar shifts from mass action films to comedy, returning to his roots.
- He teams up with Priyadarshan for ‘Bhooth Bangla’, a comedy slated for release this year.
- Audience anticipates ‘Bhooth Bangla’ as a refreshing break from typical Bollywood films.
- ‘Bhooth Bangla’ features Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav, releasing April 17.
Akshay Kumar is pivoting from mass action to comedy, a move considered potentially game-changing for Bollywood. His upcoming film ‘Bhooth Bangla’ with Priyadarshan promises a refreshing, lighter cinematic experience, contrasting with recent trends.
Akshay Kumar’s Shift Away From Mass Action
Maybe it was Baahubali , or maybe the KGF and Pushpa films. But something did change in Bollywood’s approach to ‘big’ films after the pandemic. As slice-of-life stories and ‘daring’ genres fell flat after the lockdowns, big stars resorted to the only formula they felt was safe – mass action, south style. And suddenly, every actor wanted their own Rocky bhai or Pushpa moment. When even the king of romance (here’s looking at you, Jawan) and National Award winners (remember Manoj Bajpayee in Bhaiyaji) were clamouring for mass action, Akshay Kumar is quietly bucking the trend. He had a decent outing with Housefull 5 last year, and now has three out-and-out comedies up for release, becoming the only major star to return to his roots. And it just may be the best thing for Bollywood this year.
Yet, Akshay kept doing his thing. This time, there was no Rowdy Rathore from him. Experiments like Ram Setu and Raksha Bandhan did not land, but the actor persevered. He tasted some success with OMG 2, Kesari 2, and Jolly LLB 3, and eventually found his way back to comedy.
The Anticipated Return of Comedy with ‘Bhooth Bangla’
So, it is a relief that he takes that forward with his most trusted partner, Priyadarshan. The two are combining for three films – Bhooth Bangla, Haiwaan, and Hera Pheri 3. Two of them are comedies, with Bhooth Bangla all set for release this year.
Mainstream Hindi cinema has been churning out the same kind of films for a while now. So, Akshay and Priyadarshan bringing out something lighter, on a mega scale, is something to be appreciated. The trailer has evoked words like ‘nostalgia’ and ‘clutter-breaking’, which should tell you everything you need to know about what the audience wants.
Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar: A Winning Combination?
Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Balaji Telefilms, also stars Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav. The film arrives in theatres on April 17.
Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy, particularly with ‘Bhooth Bangla,’ signals a welcome shift in Bollywood. This light-hearted, large-scale project could be precisely what audiences crave, offering a refreshing cinematic experience.
