Forget the Khans! 2007 has been the year of the Kumar, as celluloid superstar, Akshay Kumar has topped international box offices with the consecutive successes of Namastey London, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

In a spectacular finale to what has been a victorious year for Bollywood's, Welcome combines all of the classic ingredients of the Bollywood superhit formula, to ensure that it makes for a fitting climax for the end of 2007, and the forthcoming festive season.

No wonder then, his forthcoming venture 'Welcome' is a hot property in film trade circles.

Being touted as the biggest release of this festive month, 'Welcome' features Akshay with an ensemble cast comprising Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor, Feroz Khan, Nana Patekar, Mallika Sherawat and Katrina Kaif.

On the eve of release of this Anees Bazmee-directed venture, scheduled to hit the box-office worldwide on December 21, Akshay said, ''Earlier, everyone said I was synonymous with action. I bagged the 'khiladi' tag.

Now, with my last few films being successful comedies, I've become synonymous with comedy!'' The film presents the ever-versatile Akshay Kumar in a completely different light, compared to his recent film roles.

He plays a handsome and principled bachelor, Rajiv, who falls for the effervescent Sanjana (played by Katrina Kaif) on a cruise trip, unaware that he is soon to become embroiled with his sweetheart's troupe of sibling serio-comic mobsters.

Akshay, who is presently shooting for another film 'Singh Is King' in Australia, said he was happy that the three comedies he did this year had the box-office laughing, however, 'Welcome' would be the king of them all, adding, ''It's a laugh-riot from the word go and I hope everyone enjoys it during the festive season as it is my last major comedy of 2007!''

Next year would, however, see Akshay return to the screen in his ''macho man'' avataars with 'Chandni Chowk To China' and 'Tashan'.

However, that does not mean a goodbye to comic roles for Akshay.

''I am not at all bidding adieu to comedy. It comes as naturally to me as action. But, next year I have a variety of films on the anvil, action, comedy as well as intense films,'' he said.

As of now, all his attention is focussed on his forthcoming movie 'Welcome', an Indian Films Release through Studio 18, which has evoked a tremendous buzz in film trade circles.

Commenting about the imminent release of Welcome, Akshay comments, "I am extremely excited about the release of Welcome.

I really wanted to get involved in a film project that goes back to the true essence of the Bollywood ‘masala' movie, and Welcome is exactly that.

There is something in it for everyone; it is high on entertainment and feelgood factor and is cinema for the soul. Filming Welcome was such a pleasurable experience, and that will certainly come across to audiences who see this movie.

Welcome is a befitting climax to 2007 and is the perfect film for the festive season."

The movie combines all the classic ingredients of the Bollywood super hit formula, to ensure that it makes for a fitting climax at the end of 2007, and the forthcoming festive season.