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Akshay Kumar birthday 2026: 9 times the actor became part of a hit franchises

Updated On: 09 September, 2026 12:14 PM IST | Aakruti Bagla

As Akshay Kumar celebrates his 59th birthday, one thing has become evident yet again, few actors have built a relationship with franchise cinema quite like him. With a career spanning over three decades, the actor has been part of some of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable film series, playing characters that have continued to entertain audiences across generations.

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Akshay Kumar's franchises (Pics/Instagram,
Akshay Kumar's franchises (Pics/Instagram,
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Hera Pheri (2000): Alongside Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, he created a comedy classic whose dialogues and memes still dominate the internet over two decades later. Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of the quick-witted and mischievous Raju becoming iconic. The 2000 film, directed by Priyadarshan, also starred Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, whose trio became the heart of the franchise.
Hera Pheri (2000): Alongside Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, he created a comedy classic whose dialogues and memes still dominate the internet over two decades later. Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of the quick-witted and mischievous Raju becoming iconic. The 2000 film, directed by Priyadarshan, also starred Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, whose trio became the heart of the franchise.
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Jolly LLB (2013): The franchise marked another notable addition to Akshay Kumar’s association with successful film series. While the first film starred Arshad Warsi as the titular lawyer and Jolly LLB 2 (2017) featured Akshay Kumar as advocate Jagdish Tyagi, popularly known as Jolly, the actor returned for Jolly LLB 3 (2025). The third instalment brought Akshay and Arshad together as rival lawyers.
Jolly LLB (2013): The franchise marked another notable addition to Akshay Kumar’s association with successful film series. While the first film starred Arshad Warsi as the titular lawyer and Jolly LLB 2 (2017) featured Akshay Kumar as advocate Jagdish Tyagi, popularly known as Jolly, the actor returned for Jolly LLB 3 (2025). The third instalment brought Akshay and Arshad together as rival lawyers.
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Khiladi (1992): The Khiladi franchise remains one of the most defining chapters of Akshay Kumar’s career. Followed by films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Khiladi 786. While the films explored different stories and genres, the recurring “Khiladi” identity became closely associated with Akshay and his action-star persona.
Khiladi (1992): The Khiladi franchise remains one of the most defining chapters of Akshay Kumar’s career. Followed by films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Khiladi 786. While the films explored different stories and genres, the recurring “Khiladi” identity became closely associated with Akshay and his action-star persona.
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Welcome (2007): The film’s cult status led to Welcome Back (2015), which featured John Abraham and Shruti Haasan alongside Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, while Akshay did not return. The franchise continued with Welcome to the Jungle, featuring a new ensemble cast and taking the series’ signature comedy and chaos forward.
Welcome (2007): The film’s cult status led to Welcome Back (2015), which featured John Abraham and Shruti Haasan alongside Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, while Akshay did not return. The franchise continued with Welcome to the Jungle, featuring a new ensemble cast and taking the series’ signature comedy and chaos forward.
06
Kesari (2019): The historical action drama saw him play Havildar Ishar Singh, who led 21 Sikh soldiers in the Battle of Saragarhi. The film’s success paved the way for a wider Kesari franchise, with Kesari Chapter 2 (2025) taking the story forward through a different chapter of India’s history.
Kesari (2019): The historical action drama saw him play Havildar Ishar Singh, who led 21 Sikh soldiers in the Battle of Saragarhi. The film’s success paved the way for a wider Kesari franchise, with Kesari Chapter 2 (2025) taking the story forward through a different chapter of India’s history.
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Housefull (2010 onwards): He played the central role of Aarush in the first three instalments, bringing his trademark comic timing and chaotic energy to the films. From Housefull (2010) to Housefull 2 (2012), Housefull 3 (2016) and Housefull 4 (2019), the franchise became one of Bollywood’s most successful comedy series.
Housefull (2010 onwards): He played the central role of Aarush in the first three instalments, bringing his trademark comic timing and chaotic energy to the films. From Housefull (2010) to Housefull 2 (2012), Housefull 3 (2016) and Housefull 4 (2019), the franchise became one of Bollywood’s most successful comedy series.
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OMG (2012): OMG – Oh My God! marked a different turn in Akshay Kumar’s franchise journey. In the 2012 film, he played Lord Krishna alongside Paresh Rawal, who portrayed a shopkeeper challenging religious hypocrisy and blind faith. The film’s success led to a spiritual-comedy franchise, with Akshay returning as a central figure in OMG 2 (2023), as Lord Shiva.
OMG (2012): OMG – Oh My God! marked a different turn in Akshay Kumar’s franchise journey. In the 2012 film, he played Lord Krishna alongside Paresh Rawal, who portrayed a shopkeeper challenging religious hypocrisy and blind faith. The film’s success led to a spiritual-comedy franchise, with Akshay returning as a central figure in OMG 2 (2023), as Lord Shiva.
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Singh Is Kinng (2008): What happens when the village's biggest troublemaker accidentally becomes the head of an Australian underworld empire? That's Singh Is Kinng. As Happy Singh, Akshay delivered one of the most lovable characters of his career, good-hearted, funny and impossible to dislike. It was followed with Singh is Blingg which starred Amy Jackson.
Singh Is Kinng (2008): What happens when the village's biggest troublemaker accidentally becomes the head of an Australian underworld empire? That's Singh Is Kinng. As Happy Singh, Akshay delivered one of the most lovable characters of his career, good-hearted, funny and impossible to dislike. It was followed with Singh is Blingg which starred Amy Jackson.
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Golmaal 5 marks Akshay Kumar’s association with another of Bollywood’s most popular comedy franchises. While Akshay was not part of the earlier Golmaal films, he is set to join Rohit Shetty’s comedy universe with the fifth instalment in a negative role.
Golmaal 5 marks Akshay Kumar’s association with another of Bollywood’s most popular comedy franchises. While Akshay was not part of the earlier Golmaal films, he is set to join Rohit Shetty’s comedy universe with the fifth instalment in a negative role.

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