The latest film starring Akshay Kumar, 'Welcome to the Jungle', has hit cinemas and is enjoying a strong run at the box office. Within just two days of its release, the movie has successfully accumulated a business of approximately 40 crore rupees in India. Amidst the ongoing success of the film, Akshay Kumar discussed the project and shared his thoughts on why he holds the Bhojpuri film industry in such high regard.
The origin of the dialogue
Akshay Kumar revealed that he was the one who suggested inserting the dialogue 'Bhojpuri is better than Hollywood' into the script of 'Welcome to the Jungle'. The line is delivered by Jacqueline Fernandez in the movie. During an interview, when asked whether a star of his stature portraying a Bhojpuri character and performing to Bhojpuri music improves the perception of an industry often criticized for its portrayal of women, Akshay elaborated on the intent behind that specific line.
Why Bhojpuri cinema stands out
Akshay explained that the character played by Jacqueline Fernandez is introduced as someone returning from global cities like London and Paris, having seen the world. According to Akshay, when such a character witnesses the vibrant energy, the glamour, and the distinct dance style present in the local setting, it becomes clear that such energy is hard to find in Hollywood. He stated that the level of dance and the sheer intensity found in Bhojpuri cinema is incomparable. He believed this comparison was necessary to highlight that Bhojpuri cinema is superior in its own right.
A matter of pride
Expressing his respect for the industry, Akshay noted that playing the role of a Bhojpuri actor was a matter of honor for him. He firmly believes that the Bhojpuri film industry has evolved and currently stands at a very high level.
A massive ensemble cast
'Welcome to the Jungle' features a sprawling star cast alongside Akshay Kumar, including Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tantun, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Johny Lever, Aftab Shivdasani, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, and Tusshar Kapoor. Additionally, the film includes performances by Daler Mehndi, Farida Jalal, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Kiran Kumar, Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma, Vindu Dara Singh, Nawab Shah, Urvashi Rautela, Puneet Issar, Feroz Khan (Arjun), Pankaj Dheer, Sudesh Berry, Hemant Pandey, Zakir Hussain, and Sayaji Shinde. This franchise started with the original film 'Welcome' in 2007, followed by its sequel 'Welcome Back' in 2015.
