Cinema’s most beloved band of misfits has officially returned to the sets. In what can only be described as a “dhamakedaar” birthday celebration, director Rohit Shetty marked his special day today, March 14, 2026, by switching on the cameras for Golmaal 5.
Surrounded by his core “Golmaal” family, Shetty shared an explosive announcement video that has already shattered records on social media. The clip doesn’t just confirm the start of production; it reveals two massive casting surprises that have left fans stunned and nostalgic in equal measure.
While Rohit Shetty has recently been expanding his high-octane “Cop Universe,” his heart has always belonged to the colourful, chaotic world of Golmaal. Choosing his birthday to kick off the fifth instalment of India’s most successful comedy franchise is a poetic move that highlights the director’s love for his signature genre.
The announcement video captures the high energy on set, showing the director cutting a cake before diving straight into a scene. For fans, the message is clear: the “Logic-less” comedy that defined a generation is coming back bigger, louder, and more unpredictable than ever.
The emotional highlight of the day was undoubtedly the return of Sharman Joshi. Portraying the beloved character of Laxman in the first film, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Joshi had been absent from the sequels for nearly two decades.
The first look video shows the current gang—Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu, and Tusshar Kapoor—literally mobbing Sharman with hugs, celebrating his return to the “Ghosla.” His comeback completes the original quintet, bringing a wave of nostalgia to fans who have spent the last 20 years quoting his iconic lines from the first instalment.
“Seeing the original Laxman back with the boys feels like life has come full circle,” one fan commented on the viral video. “The chemistry is already palpable!”
If Sharman’s return was the emotional hook, Akshay Kumar’s entry was the seismic shock. The “Khiladi” of Bollywood has officially joined the Golmaal universe, and he is doing it with a radical transformation.
The video unveils Akshay in a striking bald look, paired with dark sunglasses and a sleek black kurta. This “gritty yet hilarious” avatar suggests that his character will be unlike anything we’ve seen in the franchise before. While his specific role remains a closely guarded secret, his interactions with Ajay Devgn’s ‘Gopal’ in the video hint at a comedic rivalry that could redefine the series.
Akshay, who recently worked with Shetty on Singham Again and Sooryavanshi, seems to be leaning heavily into the “gritty humour” that defined his early comedy career.
Despite the new additions, the heart of the film remains the unbreakable bond between the core cast. The active energy between the actors in the first-look footage confirms that their timing is as sharp as ever:
- Ajay Devgn: Returning as the finger-breaking, intense yet hilarious Gopal.
- Arshad Warsi: Bringing back the wit and chaos of Madhav.
- Tusshar Kapoor: The “silent” powerhouse Lucky.
- Shreyas Talpade & Kunal Kemmu: The duo that brings the perfect balance of confusion and physical comedy.
The synergy between these actors has been the backbone of the franchise for over a decade, and with Shetty at the helm, the stakes for Golmaal 5 are higher than ever.
With filming now in full swing, the production team is eyeing a massive theatrical release for early 2027. The schedule reportedly includes a marathon shoot across Goa and Mumbai, the spiritual homes of the Golmaal series.
Golmaal 5 isn’t just a sequel; it’s a celebration of two decades of laughter. Between Akshay’s bald avatar and Sharman’s homecoming, Rohit Shetty has ensured that the “Golmaal” brand remains the gold standard of Indian comedy.
