Honestly, it feels like we’ve been talking about the "Akshay Kumar comeback" for three years straight now. Every time a trailer drops, the internet starts buzzing—is this the one? Is the Khiladi finally back to his 2019 form? After a 2025 that saw some heavy hitters like Sky Force and Jolly LLB 3 (which, let’s be real, had a decent run but didn't exactly break the internet), everyone is looking at the 2026 slate. There is a new movie Akshay Kumar fans are specifically tracking right now: Bhooth Bangla.
It’s not just one film, though. We are looking at a year where he’s doubling down on the one thing people actually want from him—nostalgia. He’s digging back into the franchises that made him a superstar. We’re talking Hera Pheri, Welcome, and a reunion with Priyadarshan that has been 14 years in the making.
The Priyadarshan Reunion: What’s the Deal with Bhooth Bangla?
If you grew up in the 2000s, the Akshay-Priyadarshan combo was basically the gold standard for comedy. Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhool Bhulaiyaa—the list goes on. So, when they announced Bhooth Bangla, people lost it.
The latest update is that the movie has been pushed slightly. Originally eyeing an April slot, it's now officially set to release on May 15, 2026. Apparently, the makers wanted to avoid a collision with Dhurandhar 2, which makes sense. You don't want to cannibalize your own audience in a market that's already so fickle.
What's actually interesting here is the vibe. It’s a horror-comedy, but not the sleek, VFX-heavy kind we've seen lately. Reports suggest it’s leaning back into that "slapstick scare" territory. They’ve been shooting in Jaipur and Hyderabad, and the cast is stacked. You've got Tabu, Paresh Rawal, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Seeing Akshay and Paresh Rawal together again in a Priyadarshan film? That’s the kind of energy the box office needs right now.
Why the May Release Matters
- Summer Holidays: This is prime time for family audiences.
- The "Stree" Effect: The horror-comedy genre is currently the only thing guaranteed to pull numbers in India.
- Budget Control: Unlike his massive actioners, these comedies usually have tighter budgets, making them safer bets for producers.
Welcome To The Jungle: Too Big to Fail?
On Christmas 2025, Akshay dropped a teaser that pretty much confirmed he’s finished filming Welcome To The Jungle. He called it the biggest project he’s ever been part of. Honestly, looking at the cast list, he’s not exaggerating. It’s basically a directory of every comedy actor in Bollywood.
The movie is slated for a Christmas 2026 release. Yeah, we have to wait a while. But the teaser showed Akshay with long white hair and a rugged look, which is a departure from his usual "clean-cut hero" persona. Ahmed Khan is directing this one, and the scale looks massive—we’re talking camo outfits, weapons, and a jungle setting that looks part-adventure, part-madness.
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The big question is whether it can capture the magic of the 2007 original without Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar. Those two were the franchise. Replacing them with a giant ensemble featuring Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, and even singers like Daler Mehndi is a bold move. It’s either going to be a riot or a total mess. There’s no middle ground here.
The Elephant in the Room: Hera Pheri 3
We can't talk about a new movie Akshay Kumar is working on without mentioning the one everyone asks about daily. Hera Pheri 3.
For a long time, it felt like this movie was cursed. Legal battles, Akshay initially saying he wasn't doing it because of the script, then coming back—it’s been a rollercoaster. But here’s the concrete info: shooting is expected to start around February or March 2026.
Paresh Rawal recently confirmed that the "skeletal writing" is done and the script is being polished. They are aiming for a late 2026 release, though it wouldn't be surprising if it slips into 2027 given how slow the pre-production has been.
What We Know About the Plot
- The original trio (Raju, Shyam, Baburao) is definitely back.
- Priyadarshan is reportedly involved in the creative side, which is a huge relief for fans who hated Phir Hera Pheri's change in tone.
- The story allegedly picks up with the characters in a completely different financial disaster. Classic.
Science Fiction and Psychological Edges
Akshay is also trying to break out of the "remake" and "biopic" trap that hurt his career in 2023 and 2024.
He’s got Haiwaan in the pipeline, which is a sci-fi thriller where he reportedly plays a guy who gets superpowers after a lab experiment goes south. It sounds very "90s Hollywood," but with Saif Ali Khan also in the mix, the acting chops will be there.
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Then there’s Psycho. This one is interesting because Akshay is supposedly playing a character with a "darker, stranger edge." We haven’t seen him do a proper psychological thriller in years—maybe since 8x10 Tasveer (which was underrated, fight me). If he can tap into that genuinely creepy energy, it could be the palette cleanser his filmography needs.
Making Sense of the 2026 Calendar
If you're trying to keep track of where to put your money, here’s how the year is shaping up for the Khiladi:
Early 2026: The Transition
Expect a lot of noise around the start of the Hera Pheri 3 shoot. This will be his main PR engine during the first quarter.
May 15, 2026: The Big Test
Bhooth Bangla hits theaters. This is the first major indicator of whether the audience is still willing to turn up for him in theaters or if they'd rather wait for the OTT release.
Late 2026: The Franchise Heavyweights
Welcome To The Jungle is the planned Christmas closer. If Bhooth Bangla succeeds, the momentum for Welcome will be unstoppable.
The Reality of the "Khiladi" Brand in 2026
We have to be honest: the "four movies a year" strategy has backfired. In the post-pandemic era, the Indian audience has become extremely picky. You can't just show up, do a few stunts, and expect a 100-crore opening.
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Akshay seems to have realized this. He’s shifting back to the ensemble comedies where the pressure isn't entirely on his shoulders. By sharing the screen with legends like Suniel Shetty and Arshad Warsi, he’s creating "event" cinema rather than just "another Akshay film."
The upcoming year is less about him proving he can still do stunts and more about him proving he can still make people laugh. If Bhooth Bangla and Welcome To The Jungle land their jokes, the "flop" streak of the early 20s will be a distant memory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
If you're tracking these releases, keep an eye on the teaser drops for Bhooth Bangla this March. The tone of that teaser will tell you everything you need to know about the movie's potential.
For the casual viewer, the move is to wait for the first song releases. Akshay’s biggest hits have always been propelled by massive chartbusters. If the Welcome To The Jungle soundtrack doesn't go viral on Instagram within 24 hours, the movie might struggle despite the star power.
Watch the theatrical windows carefully. With the way the 2026 calendar is filling up, any delay in one film causes a domino effect for the rest of his slate. Currently, May 15 is the date to circle on your calendar.
Stay updated on the official production handles for Cape of Good Films and Nadiadwala Grandson, as they usually drop the most reliable "behind the scenes" looks that aren't just filtered PR fluff.