Akshay Kumar Reacts To Wamiqa Gabbi's Comparisons With Aishwarya Rai; Says 'She Has Her Own Identity'

Akshay Kumar has spoken strongly in support of co-star Wamiqa Gabbi, responding to constant online comparisons with Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif. The two are currently seen together in Priyadarshan's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla, where many viewers have been closely watching their chemistry and looks on screen.

On social media, several users have said they hope Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi can bring back the screen charm Akshay once shared with Katrina Kaif. At the same time, Wamiqa is often linked with Aishwarya Rai because of similar eye features, leading to debates about originality and influence.

Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi and Aishwarya Rai comparisons

Responding to these discussions in a chat with Shubhankar Mishra, Akshay Kumar highlighted Wamiqa Gabbi's independent rise. Akshay Kumar said, "Her (Wamiqa's) eyes are like Aishwarya Rai's, but she has her own identity. She is doing things her own way. She entered the film industry after a lot of struggle. She worked in Punjabi films, and now she is working across Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema, exploring every genre."

Akshay Kumar underlined that Wamiqa Gabbi's film journey started in Punjabi cinema, then moved into several languages, including Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. According to Akshay Kumar, this broad filmography shows that Wamiqa Gabbi is shaping a distinct career, separate from Aishwarya Rai or Katrina Kaif, despite any visual similarities mentioned by fans.

Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Aishwarya Rai and Bhooth Bangla

Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, features an ensemble that includes Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, Jisshu Sengupta and Tabu in important roles. The film marks Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan's first collaboration in 14 years, drawing attention from viewers who remember their earlier comedy hits.

The horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla opened in cinemas to mixed critical reactions but has managed a steady box office run in India. So far, the film has earned around ₹35 crore in the domestic market, showing moderate audience interest in the Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi pairing.

Within Bhooth Bangla, Akshay Kumar plays Arjun, who lives in London with a sister who unexpectedly inherits a vast property and palace from their grandfather. Arjun travels to Mangalpur in India to get the old palace ready for the sister's wedding celebrations and family rituals.

Local stories in Mangalpur claim that no marriage ceremony in the village reaches completion. The legend centres on a mysterious force called Vadhusur, which is said to kidnap brides before the rituals end. How Arjun and others handle this curse forms the suspense and humour of Bhooth Bangla's narrative.

Wamiqa Gabbi has also reacted to the Aishwarya Rai comparisons in a light-hearted manner on social media. Some users have even nicknamed Wamiqa Gabbi as "Aishwarya's daughter" due to facial likeness, which has added to trending conversations around the cast of Bhooth Bangla and Akshay Kumar's comments.

When an influencer hinted that such comparisons might be part of a publicity plan, Wamiqa Gabbi gave a tongue-in-cheek reply. Wamiqa Gabbi wrote, "Talented and beautiful too? Uff, thaaaank you. And I don't know about the rest, but we did try 'Wamiqa for next President!' It was not approved."

Beyond Bhooth Bangla, Akshay Kumar has several projects lined up, including Welcome to the Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan. The upcoming film brings together Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Raveena Tandon, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and others in a large ensemble cast.

Welcome to the Jungle, starring Akshay Kumar, is set for a theatrical release on June 6, 2026, giving fans a clear date for another multi-star entertainer. For now, audience discussions around Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi remain focused on Bhooth Bangla, the comparisons with Aishwarya Rai and the pair's on-screen dynamic.