MUMBAI: Having gone through a super successful year with three top-ranking comedies, Namastey London, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay Kumar is gearing up for the release of Welcome, his next big laugh-out-loud comedy, releasing on December 20 worldwide.

Welcome, an Eid and Christmas release marks the return of the Akshay-Katrina pairing for a third time, besides assembling of a unique ensemble cast comprising Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor, Feroz Khan, Nana Patekar and Mallika Sherawat.

Akshay, who is currently shooting for Singh Is King in Australia laughs, "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!"

Ask him about his hit run at the box-office this year, he smiles, "I'm happy that the three comedies I did this year had the box-office laughing. Welcome is the king of them all! 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."

So is Akshay bidding adieu to comedy? "Not at all! Comedy comes as naturally to me as action! Next year I have a variety of films on the anvil. I am getting back to action with Chandni Chowk To China and Tashan. But for my now I want everyone to concentrate on Welcome and welcome the new year with a bang!" he signs off.

Welcome is an Indian Films Release through Studio 18. Directed by Anees Bazmee and co-produced by UTV and Feroz Nadiadwala the film is reportedly the remake of the Hollywood film, Mickey Blue Eyes.