LAUGHTER AND HORROR GALORE WITH AKSHAY, WAMIQA AND RAJPAL

Compiled By Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 15, 2026)

It was a regular evening for movie buffs in the Capital — until it wasn’t. The cast of Bhooth Bangla, which is set to release this week, starring Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav, turned the latest session of Stars in the City into a truly memorable affair as they dropped by HT City’s office in Delhi to promote their upcoming film.

In conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment at Hindustan Times, the trio kept things lively with candid conversations, witty banter, and entertaining anecdotes that had the audience thoroughly involved.

What are your thoughts on reuniting with director Priyadarshan after a 14-year gap?
Akshay: He has a great past. Priyadarshan has done almost 98 films and world mein aisa koi aadmi nahi jisne itni films banayi hai and out of that 87 are hit. Agar ek word unke liye aata hai, woj hai ‘genius’. I have seen him work. Actually puri kahaani wo batate hain but jo actual kahaani hoti hai, wo unke dimag mein hai. He is an editor by nature and he edits his film’s so far and so beautifully.

How do you cope up with the jibes made at you in the recent past?
Rajpal: I once saw myself drowning when I was a 6-7 years old. I was saved by someone and I thought I am almost gone. I say I have been given life twice, once by my mother and once by Ganga maiyaa. Just like that main uljha pacchaso baar, dooba kabhi bhi nahi because of you guys (fans).

How do you feel about being part of this film?
Wamiqa: There was only excitement. I was very lucky. Yej film mere paas aane se kuch mahine pehle maine saari films (of Akshay and Priyadarshan) binge watch ki thi starting from Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and De Dana Dan (2009). I called my management and asked, ‘Why are Akshay sir and Priyadarshan sir not working together?’. I love these films, I laughed so hard. They told me ‘no they are coming together after some 14 years for a new film and abhi casting shuru hui hai’. Right after sometime, I got to know that Balaji Films (production house) se call aaya hai and wo narrate karna chah rahe hain ye film. I got called and it was such an overwhelming experience and I was like, well talk about manifestation!”
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"My son shared recently that after watching Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), he was scared of (actor) Vidya Balan for six years!"
- Akshay Kumar