Yet another rib tickling film by director Anees Bazmee who continues his successful run in comedy movies and this time a bit of more drama and masala to make the proceedings more tangy. Loads of laughter in Welcome.
Uday Shetty (Nana Patekar), Majnu bhai (Anil Kapoor) and their boss Sikander (Feroz Khan), are basically the comical yet dangerous mobsters. They are keen to get Uday’s sister Sanjana (Katrina Kaif) married into a respectable family. Majnubhai happens to meet a handsome bachelor Rajiv (Akshay Kumar) by chance and is convinced that the Rajiv would be an appropriate match for Sanjana.
Sanjana, being totally unaware of her brother’s plans, happens to get into a dramatic encounter with Rajiv and they fall in love. Rajiv’s uncle Dr. Ghunghroo (Paresh Rawal), being unaware of the fact that she is a gangster’s sister approves the idea, but when he comes to know of her actual family background, our Dr. Ghunghroo decides against the marriage.
These happenings take place in the modern locales of Dubai and the naturally beautiful South Africa which gives the film an extravagant, colourful and a pleasant feeling. There are some genuine moments of comedy in this otherwise formula comedy film.
Through another twist, the boy’s uncle then consents to the wedding. But there is another twist in the plot when a exquisitely hot bombshell (Mallika Sherawat) arrives on the scene and claims to be Rajiv’s wedded wife. What follows then only adds to the confusion and chaos amidst some perfect timing comedy moments.
In this otherwise rib-tickling comedy there are some unnecessary moments like the attempt to turn the gangster into a decent human being. The entire scenes of Uday bhai trying to turn into a film hero are otherwise disappointing like the retakes in the film shooting taking place in a race course. Even the house collapse scene in the climax appears too dramatic. Sometimes the director loses his touch of comedy in such moments which are quite pathetic. Some of the gags don’t work, often some jokes fall flat.
There are some hot numbers performed by Mallika Sherawat and one performed by Malaika Arora. The songs are in line with the trend, fast and pacy. They generate a cool and hep impression.
Nana Patekar is refreshingly likeable in this comic role of a gangster. Feroz Khan is brought in to bring in some element of mafia type happenings. Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar are masters in such situations. Katrina Kaif is just stunningly beautiful and better in her performance. Vijay Raaz is first-rate. Supriya Karnik, Snehal Dhabi, Adi Irani, Mushtaq Khan and Sherveer Vakil are there too. Suniel Shetty surprises with his guest appearance.
Anil Kapoor sporting a light stubble steals the limelight, bringing back memories of his Jaanbaaz and Meri Jung characters portrayed by him. Though not having him all throughout the proceedings, but when and whenever he appears on screen, Anil Kapoor is just awesome. He is the star of this film.
Anees Bazmee has now established his flair for comedies, while writers Rajiv Kaul and Praful Parekh have done a good job.
CAST & CREDITS of Welcome:
Akshay Kumar – Rajiv
Nana Patekar – Uday Bhai (Sanjana’s Brother)
Anil Kapoor – Majnubhai
Mallika Sherawat – Ishika
Katrina Kaif – Sanjana
Feroz Khan – Sikander (RDX)
Paresh Rawal – Dr. Ghunghroo
Malaika Arora – Special Appearance (Song “Hot Rasile”)
Vijay Raaz – The director (as Vijay Raaj)
Credits of Welcome:
Produced by – Firoz Nadiadwala
Director – Anees Bazmee
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues – Anees Bazmee, Praful Parekh, Rajeev Kaul
Music Director – Anand Raj Anand, Himesh Reshammiya
Lyrics – Anand Raj Anand, Anjaan Saagri, Ibrahim Ashq, Sameer, Shabbir Ahmed
Writing credits – Anees Bazmee, Abbas Tyrewala (Dialogues)
Original Music by – Sajid Ali & Wajid Ali, Anand Raj Anand, Himesh Reshammiya
Cinematography – Sanjay F. Gupta
Art Direction – Sabu Cyril
Costume Design by – Manish Malhotra
Choreographers – Ahmed Khan, Farah Khan
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