2024 Bollywood Laughs Its Way to Success: Welcome, Housefull, Dhamaal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Stree, and Masti Lead the Comedy Renaissance

Comedy films in 2024: In a cinematic shift, the Indian film industry is poised to unleash a wave of laughter as it gears up for a slew of comedy franchises set to dominate the big screen in 2024. While action-packed blockbusters currently reign supreme, the industry is anticipating a comedic revolution with the announcement and commencement of production on some of Hindi Cinema’s most anticipated comic franchises.

Akshay Kumar

Leading the charge is Akshay Kumar, who is set to headline two major franchises. The first, “Welcome To The Jungle,” marks the third installment of the immensely popular Welcome franchise. Under the direction of Ahmed Khan, the film boasts a star-studded ensemble, including Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, and others. The production, currently on a 50-day marathon schedule in the Middle East, targets a Christmas 2024 release and is already generating significant buzz as one of the year’s most eagerly awaited films.

Akshay Kumar’s comedic prowess extends to “Housefull 5,” scheduled to kick off in September 2024. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala is set to elevate the franchise’s scale by roping in top talents alongside Kumar and Ritesh Deshmukh. This instalment, slated for a June 2025 release, is set to make history as the first Indian cinema franchise with five films to its name.

Kartik Aaryan

Joining the comedy brigade is Kartik Aaryan, teaming up with director Anees Bazmee for “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” slated to start filming in March 2024. The horror comedy, produced by Bhushan Kumar, plans to add two female actors to the cast, with casting currently underway. The film aims for a Diwali 2024 release, with discussions reportedly underway to bring Vidya Balan back to the franchise as Manjulika.

Amar Kaushik and Dinesh Vijan are set to deliver “Stree 2” on August 31, promising a unique horror comedy experience rooted in Indian folklore. A crossover with Varun Dhawan as Bhediya is also on the cards.

Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn and Indra Kumar, following the success of “Total Dhamaal,” are gearing up for “Dhamaal 4.” While shooting timelines are yet to be finalized, industry insiders suggest a late-year commencement, with the film expected to be the franchise’s magnum opus, arriving in 2025.

In addition to these confirmed projects, Subhash Kapoor is preparing for “Jolly LLB 3,” featuring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi in a courtroom comedy, targeting a 2025 release. Indra Kumar is set to reboot the “Masti” franchise with the original trio—Ritesh Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani—under Milap Zaveri’s direction, with filming set to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

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While Hera Pheri 3, No Entry 2, and Golmaal 5 are rumored to be in the works, no concrete details have emerged. After a thrilling 2023 dominated by action, the Hindi film industry is poised to lead audiences on a laughter-filled journey in the upcoming year.