The long run of laughter

Tusshar Kapoor

Comedy may not always receive the same acclaim as drama, but few understand its demands better than Tusshar Kapoor, who made his debut opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai 25 years ago. "Twenty-five years passed in the blink of an eye," says the actor as he returns this year with two comedy franchises, Welcome to the Jungle and Golmaal 5, while also stepping into unfamiliar territory with Prakash Jha's political thriller Janaadesh.

Kapoor is glad that the choices he made years ago continue to pay dividends. "I feel blessed that these universes have stayed with me," he says, adding that he hopes to always be associated with the Golmaal and Welcome franchises. "Franchises are a great thing as long as you can keep up with the audience's expectations. I'll never stop doing the Welcomes and the Golmaals. They are my bread and butter. And the reason why I've became a household name, connecting with children and older people. However, I have to keep reinventing myself and doing different roles."

(From top left) Arshad Warsi, Ajay Devgn, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu, and Shreyas Talpade in ‘Golmaal 5'

In Welcome to the Jungle, Kapoor reunites with Akshay Kumar, with whom he previously worked in Khakee (2004) and Insan (2005). The two will also be seen together in Golmaal 5. Kapoor credits director Ahmed Khan for pulling off the logistical challenge of bringing more than 34 actors together. "He never compromised on how he visualised and [executed] the film. He has justified the cast in the story. Maybe that's why it has taken time, but that's [how he shows] his passion. Akshay is sharp and the entire script is at the tip of his fingers. Even though he's always joking around and playing pranks, he works equally hard."

(L-R) Tusshar Kapoor and Akshay Kumar in ‘Welcome to the Jungle'

Returning to Rohit Shetty's comedy caper feels like a family reunion for Kapoor. Ahead of Golmaal 5, the cast revisited the fourth instalment to recapture its energy. "We watched it to bring back that energy. We've all grown up together making these films. Rohit is another institution. Everything is organised, everything is scheduled, and his team makes you feel so comfortable." Despite the success the comedy has brought him, Kapoor acknowledges that it remains a stereotype he constantly has to break. "Of course you get typecast. But I look at it positively because people love those films," he signs off.