Akshay Kumar has raised hopes of a reunion featuring the original ‘Welcome’ cast by hinting that Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor could return if Welcome 4 becomes a reality. The actor shared that the franchise has always felt like one big family and suggested that fans may get to see all the familiar faces together again in the future.The actor made the remarks while discussing ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, the third instalment in the popular comedy franchise. Although the latest film marks Akshay’s return to the series, Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor, who played the iconic characters Uday Shetty and Majnu Bhai, are absent from this chapter.
Akshay Kumar hints at a reunion
Speaking to PTI about the future of the franchise, Akshay said that every member of the Welcome family continues to share a close bond. He also indicated that another sequel could reunite the original cast. He said, “Welcome is a full family. This is Nana, Mr Anil, me and all the people. This is like family. If Welcome 4 is ever made, you will find all of them.”
Why Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor are missing
The original ‘Welcome’ featured Nana Patekar as Uday Shetty and Anil Kapoor as Majnu Bhai. Their performances became hugely popular and established the duo as two of Bollywood’s most memorable comedy characters. While Nana and Anil returned for ‘Welcome Back’ in 2015, Akshay Kumar was not part of that sequel. With ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, the situation has reversed. Akshay returns to headline the franchise, while Nana and Anil sit out this instalment. Instead, the film introduces two fresh characters connected to the iconic gangsters. Suniel Shetty appears as Yeda Anna, while Arshad Warsi plays Romeo. The two are presented as the brothers of Uday Shetty and Majnu Bhai, expanding the franchise’s comic universe.Director Ahmed Khan has also addressed the absence of Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor. He revealed to the same portal that both actors remained supportive throughout the production and regularly checked on the film’s progress. Sharing one such interaction, Ahmed said, “We talked all the time. We used to call during the shoot. Nana had just called and asked, ‘How is it going? When will you show the film to me? Tell Akshay that I am not available.’ They keep calling and they talk. Anil sir called and said, ‘How is it going? And next time we will plan something,’”‘Welcome To The Jungle’ which hit the screens today, boasts one of the biggest ensemble casts in recent Bollywood comedy. Alongside Akshay Kumar, the film stars Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Raveena Tandon and several other popular actors. Early Twitter reactions have largely described the film as an entertaining comedy entertainer.
