Akshay Kumar pens heartfelt birthday note for Ahmed Khan: 'You always got me'
Synopsis
Akshay Kumar's birthday note for Ahmed Khan wasn't just a social media nicety — it was a window into one of Bollywood's quieter long-haul friendships. With 'Welcome to the Jungle' set for a 26 June 2026 release, the star-stacked third instalment is being framed as Khan's biggest career bet yet.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Kumar shared a heartfelt birthday note for filmmaker Ahmed Khan on Instagram stories on Wednesday.
Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff also posted public birthday wishes for Khan.
The trio star together in 'Welcome to the Jungle' , releasing in theatres on 26 June 2026 .
The film is the third instalment in the Welcome franchise after 'Welcome' (2007) and 'Welcome Back' (2015).
The ensemble includes Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav, among others.
Akshay Kumar on Wednesday penned an emotional birthday tribute for filmmaker Ahmed Khan, recalling how the director stood by him through turbulent phases of his career and life. The 'Airlift' actor shared the note on his Instagram stories, days ahead of their much-awaited collaboration 'Welcome to the Jungle' hitting screens.
The birthday message
Sharing a candid photograph in which the two are seen laughing together, Akshay wrote, “Tu samjha? Nahi tu nahi samjha. But somehow, through all the chaos, you always got me. And there's nobody else who could've pulled off the madness of Welcome To The Jungle the way you have. Happy Birthday my friend, @khan_ahmedasas. May this film become the biggest gift of your career.”
Co-stars join the wishes
Veteran actor Suniel Shetty, who also features in the upcoming comedy, posted a warm tribute. “The only man crazy enough to take charge of a jungle & talented enough to make it all work. Making the impossible possible since forever. Happy Happy Birthday @khan_ahmedasas! Wishing you a year as crazy adventurous & successful as the worlds you create,” Shetty wrote.
Jackie Shroff kept his message short and affectionate, writing, “Happiness Always, happy Birthday @khan_ahmedasas.”
Inside 'Welcome to the Jungle'
The trio — Akshay, Suniel and Jackie — have reunited for Ahmed Khan's directorial venture, the third instalment in the popular Welcome comedy franchise. The film boasts a sprawling ensemble, including Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Urvashi Rautela, Raveena Tandon, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek, Bindu Dara Singh and singer Daler Mehndi, among others.
Franchise legacy and release
'Welcome to the Jungle' is scheduled to release in theatres on 26 June 2026. The original 'Welcome' hit screens on 21 December 2007, followed by 'Welcome Back' on 4 September 2015 — both clocking sizeable box-office returns and cementing the franchise as one of Hindi cinema's most enduring slapstick brands.
What's next
With its star-stacked ensemble and franchise pull, the film is being positioned as one of the biggest comedy bets of 2026. Promotions are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks as the release date nears.
Point of View
But Akshay's note reads more personal than promotional — a quiet acknowledgement of a working relationship that has weathered industry churn. The timing, weeks before 'Welcome to the Jungle' opens, is hardly accidental: a franchise threequel with this ensemble size carries enormous downside risk if the comedy doesn't land. For Ahmed Khan, who has oscillated between hits and misfires, this film is a career inflection point. The real test is whether nostalgia for the 2007 original can still pull audiences in a streaming-first market.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akshay Kumar say in his birthday note for Ahmed Khan?
Akshay Kumar shared an Instagram story thanking Ahmed Khan for standing by him through chaos, writing that nobody else could have pulled off the madness of 'Welcome to the Jungle'. He wished the filmmaker that the movie become the biggest gift of his career.
When is 'Welcome to the Jungle' releasing?
'Welcome to the Jungle' is scheduled to release in theatres on 26 June 2026. It is directed by Ahmed Khan and is the third instalment of the Welcome comedy franchise.
Who are the lead stars in 'Welcome to the Jungle'?
The film features Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff in lead roles, alongside a large ensemble including Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Urvashi Rautela, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav.
How does this film connect to the earlier Welcome movies?
It is the third film in the franchise. The original 'Welcome' released on 21 December 2007 and its sequel 'Welcome Back' hit theatres on 4 September 2015, both performing strongly at the box office.
Did other actors also wish Ahmed Khan on his birthday?
Yes, Suniel Shetty called him 'the only man crazy enough to take charge of a jungle and talented enough to make it all work', while Jackie Shroff posted a brief message wishing him 'Happiness Always'.
