Maybe it was Baahubali, or maybe the KGF and Pushpa films. But something did change in Bollywood’s approach to ‘big’ films after the pandemic. As slice-of-life stories and ‘daring’ genres fell flat after the lockdowns, big stars resorted to the only formula they felt was safe – mass action, south style. And suddenly, every actor wanted their own Rocky bhai or Pushpa moment. When even the king of romance (here’s looking at you, Jawan) and National Award winners (remember Manoj Bajpayee in Bhaiyaji) were clamouring for mass action, Akshay Kumar is quietly bucking the trend. He had a decent outing with Housefull 5 last year, and now has three out-and-out comedies up for release, becoming the only major star to return to his roots. And it just may be the best thing for Bollywood this year. Akshay Kumar is returning to his vintage comedy style with Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla. Akshay Kumar bucks the mass action trend The first era of south-style mass action in Hindi cinema began in 2009-10 with the success of Wanted and …