As he prepares for the release of ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, Akshay Kumar Opened up about the evolving nature of comedy and why getting an audience to laugh has become more difficult in the age of social media. Although Akshay was better known for action when he started his career, he gradually moved away from it and turned to comedy. The actor was widely accepted in the genre and became popular for movies like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Bhagam Bhaag’ which became iconic among the audience over time. However, the actor feels that comedy today is tougher than ever. The actor, who recently starred in ‘Bhuth Bangla’, believes that the abundance of comedy content available online has raised the bar for filmmakers and performers alike. Akshay said that while humor remains a powerful form of entertainment, audiences today are constantly exposed to jokes, memes and funny videos across multiple platforms.“It has become much more challenging. Today there are reels, memes and comedy content everywhere. But comedy is like a huge river, it never dries up. Comedy has many forms, there is physical comedy, situational comedy, slapstick comedy, dark humour,” he said in an interview to PTI.The 58-year-old actor pointed out that films are no longer the only source of laughter for the audience, digital platforms provide an endless supply of humorous content.“There are countless ways to make people laugh. If you open Instagram, you will find endless memes and funny videos. People consume comedy every day. Many comedy shows and talented stand-up comedians create new material. But making people laugh is one of the most difficult tasks. People often underestimate comedy. I have a lot of respect for stand up comedians. Standing alone in front of an audience is incredibly difficult to make people laugh.“‘Welcome to the Jungle’, the latest installment of the popular ‘Welcome’ franchise, follows a chaotic mix of gangsters, criminals and eccentrics whose lives intersect in a jungle near the border region. What begins as an operation like a film shoot soon turns into a string of bizarre situations involving crime, confusion and action.The film has a huge ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar and includes Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Raveena TandonSeveral actors including Arshad Warsi, Lara Dutta.One aspect of the trailer that caught the audience’s attention was its self-deprecating humor. Akshay revealed that he has no problem being the butt of a joke and actually enjoys it.“I think it’s better to make fun of myself than to make fun of someone else. If I make fun of someone else, there’s not much joy in it. But if I make fun of myself, it’s much healthier. For example, there’s a scene where Jackie’s character says, ‘May apko kahin doha hai.’ And Sunil replied, ‘Up flop filmein ve vakanti hai?’Recalling his reaction when the line was pitched to him, Akshay added, “When the director and the writer narrated that line to me, I immediately said, ‘It’s beautiful. do.’ Why should I have a problem with it? Didn’t I give a flop picture? Everyone has. There is nothing wrong with accepting it. That’s why the joke worked so well.”The actor also talked about portraying a former Bhojpuri film star in the movie, a role he thoroughly enjoyed preparing for. To get into the character, he spent time studying the performances of some of the biggest names in the industry.“I really enjoyed preparing for it. Before shooting the song, I watched around 30 to 40 Bhojpuri songs. I have seen songs by Ravi Kishan ji, Pawan ji and many others.”“I wanted to understand their style, their rhythm and the way they perform. What I realized is that Bhojpuri performers bring tremendous energy to their work. There is 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 from watching them.”Reflecting the growing trend of franchise films in Bollywood, Akshay rejects the notion that a sequel or an established brand automatically guarantees success at the box office.“It’s not a risk or a safe bet. If the film is good, it’s a good thing. If the film isn’t good, then being a franchise doesn’t matter. Recently, my film ‘Bhoot Bangla’ released. It wasn’t a franchise. God was kind, and people loved it. In the end, it all depends on the film.”The ‘Welcome’ franchise started with the 2007 comedy blockbuster Akshay Kumar, starring Nana Patekar. Anil KapoorParesh Rawal, Katrina Kaif and late Feroze Khan. It was later followed by ‘Welcome Back’ in 2015. Now, with ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, the franchise returns to theaters this Friday with an even bigger cast and scale.
