Welcome To The Jungle is currently running successfully in theatres. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the comedy entertainer has struck a chord with audiences thanks to its quirky characters, witty writing, and memorable one-liners. In an exclusive conversation , veteran actor Kiran Kumar, who plays Murad Chacha in the film, spoke about the overwhelming response to his character, working with an ensemble cast, and his six-decade-long journey in cinema.
Your character Murad Chacha has become an instant fan favourite, with memes flooding social media. How does that feel?
It feels amazing. Murad Chacha speaks such refined Urdu that hardly anyone understands what he’s saying, and that’s exactly what audiences have enjoyed the most. They may not catch every word, but they still love the character.
I thoroughly enjoyed playing Murad Chacha. My dialogue, “Badi bee sahi keh rahi hai,” has gone viral, and I truly believe that sometimes a single line can achieve what 10 or 12 scenes cannot.
You shared screen space with comedy veterans like Akshay Kumar, Johny Lever, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav. What did you learn from them?
Akshay Kumar is undoubtedly one of the finest actors when it comes to comedy. Johnny bhai is simply a legend, while Paresh bhai and everyone else are phenomenal performers.
One important lesson I learned from Johnny bhai is that when you’re sharing a scene with him, don’t try to compete with his energy. Let him do what he does best while you remain natural and react honestly.
The same applies to Akshay. He’s exceptional. There’s a scene where Jackie Shroff tells him, “Dance karo,” and everything Akshay does after that is incredibly difficult to pull off. I don’t think anyone else could have performed it the way he did.
The film features an enormous ensemble. What was the atmosphere like on set?
There were nearly 40 actors involved in the film. Everyone arrived according to their schedules, gave their best, and remained fully committed.
I must give full credit to Ahmed Khan. Managing such a massive cast while ensuring every actor gets proper screen space is no small achievement. It was a wonderful experience working on this film.
Your chemistry with Farida Jalal was widely appreciated. How was it working with her again?
I’ve worked with Farida ji on several occasions over the years. The bond between Murad Chacha and Badi Bee isn’t something you can define with words—it’s simply chemistry.
Working alongside her is always a learning experience. She’s an extraordinary performer. Even in this film, despite playing a character with a lisp, she conveys every emotion effortlessly. Many actors struggle to express emotions despite speaking clearly, but Farida ji makes it look easy.
She has delivered a remarkable performance, and I don’t think audiences have seen her in a role like this before. She has once again proved that a great actor can convincingly portray any character.
After more than six decades in the industry, do roles still challenge or excite you?
Absolutely. I’ve never believed that I’ve mastered acting. Even today, I consider myself a student who is constantly learning.
I’ve played heroes and a wide variety of characters throughout my career, but Murad Chacha was completely different from anything I’d done before. There are still many roles I’d love to play. The day I feel I’ve learned everything will be the day I stop growing as an actor.
My only objective is to do justice to every role. The greatest satisfaction comes when your director believes in your performance. Ahmed bhai was extremely encouraging throughout the shoot. Even when I took extra time to memorise difficult dialogues, he kept motivating me by saying, “First class, Kiran bhai. Fantastic. Very good.”
You’ve worked with Akshay Kumar for many years. How has he evolved as an actor?
I first worked with him in Dhadkan, which eventually became a cult classic. Naturally, the Akshay Kumar of Dhadkan and the Akshay Kumar of Welcome To The Jungle are very different because the roles themselves are completely different.
In Dhadkan, he portrayed a serious romantic character beautifully. Dancing has always been one of his strengths, but today what impresses me the most is his impeccable comic timing.
He understands every scene thoroughly, constantly contributes ideas, improvises, and elevates the material. He’s done a fantastic job in this film.
Your confrontation scene with Suniel Shetty in Dhadkan remains iconic. What do you make of its popularity even today?
It’s wonderful to see how audiences continue to remember those moments. Wherever I go, people still ask me to recreate my dialogues from Dhadkan or Tezaab.
My line to Suniel Shetty, “Tu kal bhi badtameez hai, tu aaj bhi badtameez hai,” has become part of popular culture.
Now, thanks to Welcome To The Jungle, another dialogue has joined that list—“Badi bee sahi keh rahi hain.” Let’s see how long this one stays with audiences.
OTT has opened new opportunities for actors. Is that a space you’d like to explore further?
I’m open to every medium. Anything that challenges me as an actor excites me.
I’ve done comedy, but I’d love to explore emotionally intense characters or powerful negative roles as well.
I’ve already worked on OTT projects, and I continue to receive offers. Whether it’s OTT, television, Hindi cinema, or Gujarati films, I’m happy to work across all platforms.
I don’t believe any work is big or small. The more you face the camera, the more comfortable you become with it. It’s important to remain friends with the camera.
You’re in your seventies and continue to work consistently. How do you maintain that balance?
For me, work is an integral part of both my personal and professional life.
I enjoy spending quality time with my family and children. I also make time for the gym, swimming, listening to music, and eating simple home-cooked meals. I rarely eat outside.
Like Akshay, I also avoid eating late at night and often skip breakfast.
What can audiences expect from you next?
I’m currently busy with multiple projects and am even in the middle of a shoot right now.
I sincerely hope more filmmakers watch my performance in Welcome To The Jungle and think of me for exciting new roles.
