REVIEW/JANTA VERDICT: Welcome
What's it about:
No Entry director Anees Bazmi's Welcome has a pretty straightforward plot. Akshay meets Katrina and it’s love at first sight for them except one hitch. Katrina belongs to a family of gangsters, headed by an aspiring actor turned don Nana Patekar and his loyal sharp shooter Anil Kapoor – who happens to be a part time painter. Akshay’s uncle, Paresh Rawal disapproves of this alliance but the two dons want the wedding to happen at any cost. This forms the base for a series of confusions involving mistaken identities, fake promises and all the ingredients for some mindless fun.
WATCH: WELCOME: 1st Day 1st Show
What we liked:
The movie never loses grip over the main plot. Unlike most comedies, there are no unnecessary characters or tracks introduced just for the heck of it. On the contrary despite having a huge cast, the on screen confusion never gets to the viewer, all thanks to a very fast paced and smooth narrative.
Now Welcome may have been marketed as an Akshay-Katrina film, but they are clearly not the stars of the show. It's Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor who are in top form, doing what they do best - comedy. Kapoor is a delight to watch with his tapori act. While Nana is in his true element, spoofing his famous hyperactive style. Their perfect timing and crackling chemistry is the high point of the film. A lot of their scenes look improvised and one should watch out for their item numbers with Mallika and Malaika.
Akshay for a change is not playing the smart Aleck. Most of the jokes are at his expense and he gives a restrained performance allowing Nana, Anil and Paresh Rawal to do most of the talking. Katrina Kaif looks gorgeous (that’s a given by now) but has little more to do than smile. And when she talks it's always in different voices. Feroz Khan and Mallika Sherawat add to the star value of the film bringing a few twists in the plot. Feroz does a spoof on his Jaanasheen character as the suave, passionate underworld kingpin named RDX.
The jokes are simple and often kiddish but never have a double meaning. And even if slapstick humour is not your cup of tea, it’s hard not to laugh with the actors who seem to have had a blast while shooting.
What we didn't like:
The second-half is too long, especially the climax that just drags a bit much. The finale is a hotchpotch of the cliff hanging sequence in No Entry and the beehive attack from Bhagam Bhag.
For a mass entertainer like this, the music surprisingly lacks punch. The songs are mere fillers. Considering three music directors scored its soundtrack, the result is not in the league of Partner, Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Heyy Babyy.
Also the scenes establishing Akshay – Katrina's love story seem quite dull, more so because you want to see much more of Nana and Anil’s antics. Even the makers perhaps realised this because the pair suddenly goes missing for a major part of the first-half.
The makers have taken a safe route as the movie is similiar to most comedies released in the recent years and there is no novelty in the humour.
We recommend:
You watch this film with your entire family for a hearty laugh.
Rating: 2.5/ 5
Worst movie.
Nana patekar --> live and let live, shoddy and forceful on audience, damn yo'all!!