Tusshar Kapoor on 25 years in Bollywood: ‘I’ll never stop doing the ‘Welcomes’ and ‘Golmaals’, they’re my bread and butter’ |
Twenty-five years after making his debut with ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’ opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tusshar Kapoor finds himself returning to the very genre that has defined a large part of his career. While the actor is gearing up for the release of ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ and ‘Golmaal 5’, he is also exploring a different space with Prakash Jha’s political drama ‘Janaadesh’. Looking back on his journey, Tusshar says the milestone feels surreal. “Twenty-five years passed in the blink of an eye.”Over the years, Tusshar has become one of the most recognisable faces in comedy, thanks largely to the success of the ‘Golmaal’ and ‘Welcome’ franchises. Talking to Mid-day, the actor admits that these films played a huge role in making him a household name across generations. “I feel blessed that these universes have stayed with me.”Despite constantly exploring new opportunities, he says there is no question of stepping away from the two franchises that have become synonymous with his career. “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.”Tusshar believes the films helped him build a connection with audiences that extends far beyond box office numbers. “They are the reason why I became a household name, connecting with children and older people.”Even though comedy remains his strongest identity on screen, Tusshar is conscious of the need to evolve as an actor. “However, I have to keep reinventing myself and doing different roles.” That desire to experiment is one of the reasons he chose to be part of ‘Janaadesh’, a political thriller that offers a sharp contrast to the light-hearted entertainers he is best known for.
Tusshar Kapoor on reuniting with Akshay Kumar
‘Welcome To The Jungle’ reunites Tusshar with Akshay Kumar, a co-star he has previously worked with in films such as ‘Khakee’ and ‘Insan’. The actor is full of praise for director Ahmed Khan, who has managed the challenge of handling an ensemble cast featuring more than 30 actors.“He never compromised on how he visualised and executed the film. He has justified the cast in the story.” Tusshar added that the film’s scale and complexity are the reasons it has taken time to come together. “Maybe that’s why it has taken time, but that’s his passion.”Speaking about Akshay, he highlighted the superstar’s commitment despite his playful personality. “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.”
Back to the madness of ‘Golmaal’
For Tusshar, returning to Rohit Shetty’s beloved comedy franchise feels less like work and more like a reunion with old friends. Before beginning work on ‘Golmaal 5’, the cast revisited ‘Golmaal Again’ to reconnect with the franchise’s signature energy and humour.“We watched it to bring back that energy. We’ve all grown up together making these films.” He also praised director Rohit Shetty for creating a disciplined yet comfortable work environment. “Rohit is another institution. Everything is organised, everything is scheduled, and his team makes you feel so comfortable.”While the success of comedy films has brought him immense popularity, Tusshar acknowledges that being strongly associated with one genre can sometimes be limiting. However, he chooses to view it as a compliment rather than a challenge. “Of course you get typecast. But I look at it positively because people love those films.”As he enters the next phase of his career, Tusshar Kapoor remains grateful for the franchises that shaped his journey while continuing to seek opportunities that allow him to surprise audiences beyond comedy.
