Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has never been one to slow down, and if his latest comments are anything to go by, retirement is nowhere on his horizon. While launching the trailer of Welcome To The Jungle in Mumbai on Thursday, the actor shared his unique take on retirement, work, and why he believes staying active is the key to a long and fulfilling life.
Speaking about the idea of stepping away from acting after more than three decades in the film industry, Akshay admitted that the thought occasionally crosses his mind—but only briefly. Reflecting on his daily routine and commitment to work, the actor said, "Yes, I do, but after five seconds, I remember that I have to go for a shooting. After that, I remember that 300 people are waiting for me and I have to go to the set. So, it happens for five seconds. Then I think that I'll retire the next day. Then I wake up at 4 in the morning and it repeats. So, 36 years have passed by doing this."
The actor's comments perfectly align with the disciplined lifestyle that has become his trademark in Bollywood. Known for his early morning schedule, strict fitness regime, and relentless work ethic, Akshay suggested that even if he were to quit films, he would simply find other ways to keep himself busy. Imagining a post-acting life, he joked that he could become an electrician, a gardener, or even a dog walker rather than spend his days doing nothing.
However, it was his thoughts on retirement itself that truly grabbed attention. Challenging the conventional idea of slowing down after reaching a certain age, Akshay offered a perspective that reflects his lifelong dedication to staying productive. "Honestly, I think the word is wrong: retire. A person should retire only when they have five seconds left to die. While dying, he'll say, 'Brother, I'm retiring.' That will be better. Don't worry about retirement. Keep working. If you want a long life, keep working," the actor said, drawing applause and laughter from those present at the event.
Interestingly, Akshay's philosophy comes at a time when he is leading one of the biggest ensemble comedies in recent Bollywood history. The trailer of Welcome To The Jungle finally dropped after months of anticipation, giving fans a glimpse into a world filled with confusion, comedy, jungle adventures, and larger-than-life action. Rather than focusing on a single storyline, the trailer embraces complete madness, introducing audiences to a massive cast and a series of chaotic situations.
At the center of the story is Akshay's character, a once-famous actor trying to navigate a career downturn after a string of unsuccessful films. The film follows a mission involving his character, while surrounding him with comic misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and wild jungle escapades. The trailer makes it clear that the franchise is sticking to the over-the-top humor and ensemble energy that made the Welcome series a fan favorite.
Directed by Ahmed Khan, Welcome To The Jungle features an enormous cast including Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Johny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Aftab Shivdasani, Urvashi Rautela, and many more. With comedy veterans and crowd favorites sharing screen space, the film is being positioned as one of the biggest entertainer releases of the year.
Whether fans agree with his retirement philosophy or not, one thing is clear: Akshay Kumar has no plans to hit the brakes anytime soon. And if his words are to be believed, he'll continue showing up on set long before sunrise—because for him, work isn't just a profession, it's a way of life.