Casting Coup: Akshay Kumar joins Ajay Devgn-led Golmaal 5 as the antagonist (EXCLUSIVE)

Golmaal, India's biggest comedy film franchise, gears up for its most ambitious chapter yet. Variety India has exclusively learned that Akshay Kumar has now joined the chaotic, laughter-filled cast of Rohit Shetty's Golmaal 5.

In a major casting coup, Akshay has been cast as the lead antagonist against Ajay Devgn and his ragtag ensemble of misfits in this latest Golmaal chapter. The film will be bigger on scale and bolder in the madness quotient, all while preserving the core humorous spirit that has defined the franchise since its inception in 2006. The new installment delves into fantasy elements, offering a fresh narrative and expanding beyond the usual prank-driven situational humor of its predecessors.

Akshay already has three big comedy franchises in his filmography (Hera Pheri, Housefull, Welcome) and his addition to the Golmaal 5 cast only strengthens his standing in the comedy genre. This upcoming role also marks his second back-to-back villainous turn following Priyadarshan's Haiwaan, where Akshay plays a menacing antagonist to Saif Ali Khan’s visually impaired character. His antagonistic arcs in both films, however, are said to be polar opposites.

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Regular cast members Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Shreyas Talpade return, with Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari and Ashwini Kalsekar. Sharman Joshi is also likely to return, while Kareena Kapoor Khan's casting is yet to be confirmed. Production is scheduled to commence at the end of February in Film City, Mumbai, eyeing a theatrical release in early 2027.

The Golmaal saga, which kicked off with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006, completes two decades this year. Through its four parts to date, the franchise has amassed over 600 crores at the box office worldwide, with its last installment, Golmaal Again (2017) earning over 200 crores net in India— cementing its status as the most successful comedy film series. Golmaal 5 will mark Akshay and Ajay’s sixth film together in 32 years following Suhaag (1994), Khakee (2004), Insan (2005), Sooryavanshi (2021) and Singham Again (2024).

Rohit is fast finishing his Rakesh Maria biopic with John Abraham before heading to Golmaal 5, while Ajay is currently shooting for Drishyam 3. Akshay is expected to join the sets after completing Anees Bazmee's comedy entertainer with Vidya Balan. Akshay also has Bhaagam Bhaag 2 with Raaj Shaandilya, set to go on floors mid-this year.