In a major casting coup, Akshay Kumar has joined Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 5, the fifth installment of India’s biggest comedy franchise. The superstar has been cast as the lead antagonist opposite Ajay Devgn and his ensemble of misfits. This marks the sixth collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn across 32 years, following their films Suhaag, Khakee, Insan, Sooryavanshi, and Singham Again. Golmaal 5 is set to be bigger in scale and bolder in its comedic approach, introducing fantasy elements while preserving the franchise’s core humorous spirit. Production is scheduled to commence at the end of February 2026 at Film City, Mumbai, with an anticipated theatrical release in early 2027.
Casting Announcement and Details
Akshay Kumar’s addition to Golmaal 5 represents a significant development for the comedy franchise. The actor will play the central antagonist, a character described as pivotal to the film’s plot. His participation comes after months of speculation and represents a strategic move by Rohit Shetty to elevate the franchise’s commercial appeal.
This marks back-to-back negative roles for Akshay Kumar, who is simultaneously playing a villain opposite Saif Ali Khan in Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Haiwaan. However, both antagonistic arcs are described as vastly different in tone and approach, offering the actor diverse character opportunities.
Akshay-Ajay Collaboration History
| Film | Year | Role Combination | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suhaag | 1994 | Both as leads | Action-Drama |
| Khakee | 2004 | Both as leads | Crime-Thriller |
| Insan | 2005 | Both as leads | Action-Thriller |
| Sooryavanshi | 2021 | Akshay as lead, Ajay in cameo | Action |
| Singham Again | 2024 | Both in major roles | Cop-Action |
| Golmaal 5 | 2027 | Ajay as hero, Akshay as antagonist | Comedy |
The six-film partnership spanning three decades demonstrates the strong professional chemistry between both actors and their proven ability to deliver box office success together.
Cast and Ensemble
Regular Golmaal cast members are expected to return, including Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu, and Shreyas Talpade. Supporting actors Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari, and Ashwini Kalsekar are also set to reprise their roles.
Sharman Joshi is likely returning to the franchise, while Kareena Kapoor Khan’s participation remains unconfirmed. The ensemble approach ensures the franchise maintains its characteristic ragtag group of misfits while introducing fresh dynamics with Akshay’s antagonistic presence.
Franchise Background and Success
| Golmaal Film | Year | Box Office Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Golmaal: Fun Unlimited | 2006 | Commercial success |
| Golmaal 3 | 2010 | 100+ crore |
| Golmaal Again | 2017 | 200+ crore net (India) |
| Franchise Total (4 films) | 2006-2017 | 600+ crores worldwide |
The Golmaal franchise has established itself as India’s most successful comedy series since its inception in 2006. With four successful installments generating over 600 crores worldwide, the franchise demonstrates consistent audience appeal and commercial viability.
Production Details and Timeline
Production is scheduled to commence at the end of February 2026 in Film City, Mumbai, with filming planned across Mumbai and Goa. The theatrical release is targeted for early 2027, potentially aligning with the franchise’s 20th anniversary celebrations since Golmaal: Fun Unlimited premiered in 2006.
Director Rohit Shetty is expected to begin this project after concluding his work on the Rakesh Maria biopic and IPS Maria. The filmmaker returns to the comedy genre after a gap of approximately nine years, bringing fresh creative perspectives to the franchise.
Creative Evolution and Fantasy Elements
Golmaal 5 represents an evolution of the traditional franchise format. The new installment incorporates fantasy elements, offering a fresh narrative while maintaining the prank-driven situational humor that defined its predecessors. This creative shift aims to provide audiences with both familiar comfort and new surprises.
The film is described as bigger on scale and bolder in its comedic madness quotient, suggesting enhanced production values and more elaborate comedic set-pieces compared to previous installments.
Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Franchise Portfolio
Beyond Golmaal 5, Akshay Kumar is actively engaged with multiple comedy franchises. He is simultaneously working on sequels for Welcome, Hera Pheri, and Housefull, making 2026-2027 a prolific period for his comedy endeavors. The Golmaal 5 addition further strengthens his standing as Bollywood’s comedy king.
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