The first week of December 2026 is set to witness a major box office competition, with Ajay Devgn’s Golmaal 5 now entering a crowded release date alongside Prabhas’ Fauzi and Akshay Kumar’s upcoming untitled comedy directed by Anees Bazmee.
The lineup changed after Devgn reportedly decided to replace his jungle adventure film Ranger with the fifth installment of the popular Golmaal franchise, according to Variety India. The move has transformed the December 4 release date into a three-way contest involving established franchises, pan-India stars and comedy-driven entertainers.
The addition of Golmaal 5 brings a proven comedy brand into the box office race. The franchise, created by director Rohit Shetty and led by Devgn, has built a strong audience base over two decades since the release of Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006.
The fifth installment brings back several familiar faces, including Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Sharman Joshi, who returns to the franchise after appearing in the first film. The film will also feature franchise regulars such as Johny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari and Ashwini Kalsekar.
With the combination of Devgn’s popularity and Shetty’s track record in comedy, Golmaal 5 enters the competition with the advantage of audience familiarity and franchise recognition.
Prabhas’ Fauzi will compete for audiences with its pan-India appeal. Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, known for Sita Ramam, the film stars Imanvi alongside veteran actors Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Bhanu Chander and Jayapradha.
The film represents a different offering from the comedy-heavy releases, with Prabhas’ nationwide fan base expected to play a major role in its theatrical performance.
Akshay Kumar’s untitled film, directed by Anees Bazmee, adds another comedy title to the December lineup. The project stars Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna in lead roles, further increasing competition in the genre.
The clash brings together three different audience segments: a long-running comedy franchise, a pan-India action drama and another star-led comedy. With major names competing for screens and viewers, December 4 is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched box office weekends of 2026.
