Welcome to the Jungle will hopefully be another Khakee for me: Tusshar Kapoor

Actor Tusshar Kapoor has said he hopes Welcome to the Jungle will be "another Khakee" for him, as he looks ahead to what he called the biggest ensemble film of his career. Speaking to India Today, the actor said he was confident about the film despite its very large cast, and added that strong writing and a director's vision can help every character stand out.

Drawing on his experience in films such as Khakee (2004) and the Golmaal franchise, Tusshar said multi-starrers can still give actors memorable moments. He said there is always some anxiety around screen time and visibility in such films, but added that he trusts director Ahmed Khan's vision and believes Welcome to the Jungle has enough space for every character.

Speaking to India Today exclusively about being part of multi-starrers, Tusshar said, "I've been fortunate to get good parts in almost all the multi-starrers I've done. Initially, I was apprehensive, but after Khakee, I realised that you can be noticed in big films with a lot of people. Then Golmaal happened, and I thought, 'Oh my God, there are so many people in this film, and yet every character is standing out at the same time.'"

He said several ensemble films in his career brought him recognition and appreciation from audiences. "Dhol (2007), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), The Dirty Picture (2011) — where I had a small character but still received appreciation — and Shor in the City (2010); I've gotten as much love from the multi-starrer films I've done as from any other project."

His role in Welcome to the Jungle

Tusshar said Welcome to the Jungle is the biggest ensemble film of his career so far. While joking that he hopes to be noticed in a film with so many actors, he said he was confident about the part. "I'm doing the biggest of them all now, Welcome to the Jungle. There are too many people in the film. I hope I get noticed in that also. But I'm sure it's a very substantial role."

Faith in Ahmed Khan's vision

Tusshar praised director Ahmed Khan, saying he ensured every character has a place in the story. "Ahmed has done justice to every character. He's taken everyone along, and the story demands a lot of people because it's essentially a film being made within a film. There are different groups of characters, and everyone has a role to play."

He also said the film could open up a new kind of large-scale ensemble comedy. "I think he will probably create the advent of a new genre of having so many people in one film. Like Police Academy (1984) or Hot Shots (1991) — those funny Hollywood films from the '80s where everyone had their own part to play. I'm sure Welcome to the Jungle will also hopefully be another Khakee for me."

On screen time and anxiety

At a time when many actors are cautious about signing multi-starrers because of concerns over screen time and visibility, Tusshar said such worries are natural.

"Of course, there is apprehension and anxiety. You wonder whether you'll have enough to do, whether your character will have enough strength, or whether you'll get the opportunity to show your work. You have to have blind faith in the director. If you have a good team and you trust the director, then things fall into place. It's about having faith in your team and then just doing your bit."

He added that he does not overthink once he has signed a film. "I don't like to overthink while I'm in a film. Once I've signed it, I like to leave it to the universe. The director and his team know exactly what they want from me, and there's a reason why I'm doing that film. So why should I worry about it?"

Welcome to the Jungle is set to release on June 26. Along with Tusshar, the film also stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda.