Disha Patani is currently enjoying the success of her latest comedy film Welcome To The Jungle. The actress recently opened up about her experience working on the movie and shared how she picked up comedy skills by observing some of Bollywood’s finest comic actors on set. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Patani spoke about the challenges of making people laugh and what she learned from watching Akshay Kumar, Johnny Lever and Arshad Warsi during the filming process.
Disha Patani Says Comedy Is One of the Toughest Genres to Master
The actress, who made her Bollywood debut with M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story in 2016, admitted that she now has a much deeper respect for comedy after working on Welcome To The Jungle. She explained that making people laugh is far more difficult than it appears on screen.
“Making people laugh is much harder than it looks. The challenge is to make it look effortless and natural,” Disha said.
Patani also shared that she learned a great deal just by being on set and watching her senior co-stars perform. She specifically mentioned Akshay Kumar, Johnny Lever and Arshad Warsi as her teachers in the art of comedy.
“I’ve also learned a lot just by watching actors on set — Akshay sir, Johnny sir and Arshad Warsi. Observing them really helped me understand comedy as a genre better,” she added.
The actor described the experience of working with such a large ensemble cast as something special. She said she loves comedy and the scale of Welcome To The Jungle excited her from the start.
“It’s not every day that you get to be part of a film with such a huge ensemble cast and so many talented people coming together. I love comedy, and the scale of this film was something that really excited me,” Disha stated.
Welcome To The Jungle Gave Disha Patani a Chance to Shine in Comedy
Welcome To The Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan, released in theatres on June 26, 2026. The film is the third instalment in the popular Welcome franchise and features a massive star cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez and many others.
The movie gave Patani the opportunity to be part of the recreation of the iconic song Uncha Lamba Kad. The original version from the 2007 film Welcome featured Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. Patani called the song “iconic” and said she was ready for comparisons with Kaif.
“Comparisons are inevitable, but our intention was to celebrate a much-loved iconic song and present it in a fresh avatar,” she said.
The film’s ensemble cast created a comfortable working environment. In another interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Patani shared that despite working with such experienced artists, she never felt any distance on set. Arshad Warsi also spoke about the friendly atmosphere, saying it felt like spending time with friends rather than working.
Disha Patani Opens Up About Her Introverted Nature and Career Choices
Despite her glamorous public image and strong social media presence, Patani revealed that she is actually quite introverted. She admitted that putting herself out there has not always been easy.
“It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been a lot of challenges along the way, but every experience has taught me something valuable. Being an introvert, it’s not always easy to put yourself out there, but I think that’s part of the process,” she shared.
The actress said her journey has made her stronger and more appreciative of every opportunity that comes her way. When asked about the roles she feels closest to, Patani said she naturally gravitates towards understated characters rather than larger-than-life personas.
“The more quiet, simple and emotionally grounded characters are probably closest to who I am in real life. I’m actually quite reserved and prefer letting my work speak for itself,” she explained.
Patani also shared her thoughts on competition in the industry. She said she does not focus on competing or proving herself.
“As an actor, I don’t think you focus on competing or proving yourself. You focus on your character, do your best, and trust that if you’re sincere, your work will connect with the audience,” she said.
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Disha Patani’s Upcoming Projects Include Awarapan 2 and Hollywood Debut
Following the success of Welcome To The Jungle, Patani has several exciting projects lined up. She will next be seen in Awarapan 2 alongside Emraan Hashmi and Shabana Azmi. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.
Patani called it a privilege to be associated with the much-loved franchise.
“The music of Awarapan has stayed with audiences, and to be part of a film that carries so much emotion and nostalgia is a privilege. I’ve always admired Shabana ma’am. Her dedication and command over her craft are inspiring. Even Emraan has such a strong understanding of cinema,” she said.
The official teaser of Awarapan 2 was released on the 19th anniversary of the original film. The teaser has already created excitement on social media, with fans celebrating Emraan Hashmi’s return as Shivam Pandit and eagerly waiting to see Disha Patani’s role in the sequel.
Producer Vishesh Bhatt spoke about the film’s scale and emotional depth, saying, “Awarapan is an emotion so large that it’s meant for the big screen”.
Patani is also making her Hollywood debut with the fantasy action film The Portal of Force, where she stars alongside Kevin Spacey. She described the experience as both “thrilling and terrifying”. The film is the first instalment in the “Statiguards vs Holiguards” cinematic universe.
Looking ahead, Patani expressed interest in exploring darker territory on screen.
“I’d love to do a psychological thriller or an intense character-driven drama, or even action dramas,” she said.
Patani has also worked in other notable films including Malang (2020), Ek Villain Returns (2022), Yodha (2024) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024). She continues to balance commercial entertainers with action-driven roles, proving her versatility as an actor.
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