Akshay Kumar Mobbed By Fans During Vaishno Devi Visit Before Welcome To The Jungle Hits Screens - VIDEO

Akshay Kumar’s visit to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has become the latest talking point around Welcome To The Jungle, the big-scale comedy that is now scheduled to reach cinemas on June 26, 2026. Videos from the pilgrimage surfaced on social media on Thursday, showing the actor surrounded by devotees and fans at the hill shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

The clips show Akshay making his way through the temple premises as several people try to take pictures and selfies with him. The visit comes at a busy promotional moment for the film, with a new song, Deewane Hain, also being released on the same day. For a star whose public appearances often draw attention, the temple visit quickly added to the film’s online chatter.

Akshay Kumar visits Vaishno Devi before Welcome To The Jungle release

The Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Reasi district, is one of India’s most visited pilgrimage sites. Celebrity visits to the shrine often attract strong social media attention, especially when they happen close to a film release or major announcement. Akshay’s visit followed the same pattern, with fan-shot videos travelling widely across entertainment pages.

While the actor has not positioned the visit as a formal promotional event, the timing has naturally linked it to Welcome To The Jungle. The film has been in the news for its long production journey, changing release plans and unusually large ensemble cast. That makes every fresh public appearance by its lead actor more visible to fans and trade watchers.

Welcome To The Jungle is directed by Ahmed Khan and is the third theatrical instalment associated with the Welcome comedy franchise. The earlier films, Welcome and Welcome Back, built their popularity on ensemble humour, confusion-led situations and flamboyant characters. The new film appears to be working on an even bigger scale, with a crowded cast and a more elaborate comic setup.

Why Welcome To The Jungle has stayed in the news

The film began shooting in 2023, but its release timeline has seen multiple shifts. That has kept curiosity alive, while also raising questions among fans about when the film would finally arrive. The current release date is June 26, 2026, giving the makers a clear window to build music, teaser and trailer-led promotions over the coming months.

One of the biggest talking points is the cast. Welcome To The Jungle brings together Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani and Jackie Shroff, among others. Reports around the film have repeatedly highlighted that it features more than 30 notable actors.

That scale can work as both an advantage and a challenge. A multi-star comedy gives the makers more faces to promote the film across fan bases. It also raises expectations around screen time, comic timing and how well the plot can balance so many characters without turning chaotic in the wrong way.

The makers are clearly leaning into that chaos as part of the film’s identity. Akshay shared the Deewane Hain song on Instagram with a caption that read, “Jungle mein chaos hai… chaos mein celebration hai… aur iss celebration mein saare #DeewaneHain! ❤️ Come celebrate the chaos with us, Deewane Hain Song Out Now!” The line reflects the film’s promotional tone: loud, crowded and festive.

Music, nostalgia and Akshay Kumar’s comedy space

The response to Welcome To The Jungle has so far been mixed across social platforms. Some viewers are interested because of the franchise value and cast combination. Others have questioned whether the film can recreate the comic energy associated with the earlier Welcome films. In such cases, songs can become important tools to keep audience interest alive before the trailer cycle peaks.

For Akshay, the film also matters because comedy has long been one of his strongest audience connect points. Films such as Hera Pheri, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Garam Masala, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Welcome helped shape a phase of mainstream Hindi comedy where he became known for pace, physical humour and sharp reactions within ensemble scenes.

In recent years, however, Akshay’s box-office run has been closely watched. The actor has continued to maintain a packed release calendar, but not every film has delivered the same theatrical impact. That is why Welcome To The Jungle carries added interest. It places him back in a space where audiences have historically accepted him with enthusiasm.

The presence of names such as Suniel Shetty and Raveena Tandon also adds nostalgia value for Hindi film viewers. At the same time, actors like Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade give the film a mix of glamour and comic familiarity. The makers will need to turn that combination into a coherent theatrical experience.

For now, the Vaishno Devi visit has given Welcome To The Jungle another visibility push at the right time. With the release still some distance away, the film’s campaign will likely depend on how well its songs, trailer and cast promotions convert online attention into genuine theatre interest. The June 26, 2026 release will show whether the franchise still has strong pull with today’s audience.