Welcome to Karachi

On a very broader, macro level, 'Welcome To Karachi' is heavily inspired from the concept which created Dumb and Dumber franchisee: The protagonists are dumb, half-wit but smart enough to pull it through.

It takes guts to experiment with such cinema in Bollywood, as comedy lies in the crust and everything seems like a spoof, a deliberate alternate take on the realities. The script has to be intelligent, the dialogues need to be sharp, witty and there should be an underlying message for the audience.

I am glad to say that Ashish R Mohan's 'Welcome To Karachi' proves it's mettle on every count, and thus, a new form of cinema has been created which needs attention. If Rohit Shetty's Golmaal series and Sunday can become 100 crore grosser, then Welcome To Karachi at least deserves applause. (Incidentally, Ashish was Asst. Director for Rohit Shetty's previous movies)

I am really appalled by the negative reviews this movie has received from major critics. Considering that the movie is fictional, the characters are dumb (intentionally) and there is high degree of brain dead comic sequences, why has the critics tried to discover logic here.

Arshad Warsi is the pillar of this movie, with his impeccable performance and timely humor, he dominates the screen. But credit should go to Jackky Bhagnani, as he has improved a lot. In some of the comic scenes, he has acted fabulously, as the audience finds hard to resist the laugh.

But the highlight of the movie is the screenplay: its twisted, bended and molded as per the situation and rather builds up the tempo at every point. Yes, the graphics and special effects could have been better, but it's the way of telling a story which makes all the difference, and Ashish has done a remarkable job here. Special mention of the way Pakistan has been shown – its actually funny. Director has thought creatively here, and has tried to interlink global issues, including terrorism with the plot. Songs are again, unconventional and radically different from what regular Bollywood movies churn out. 'Chal Bhag' will remain with you long after you leave the theater.

Dialogues are crispy, hilarious and hard hitting: Apt for such type of cinema, where the main characters have to justify their stupidity at every scene. Somehow, each of these factors are aligned perfectly to create an intelligent yet half-wit laugh riot which will make you laugh out loud, with guarantee.

Due to the daring attempt at creating a cinema which has, unfortunately, few takers in India, I will give 'Welcome to Karachi' 7/10. Go, watch it if you are taking life seriously!

For friends who might be considering the film to be based on a novel idea revolving around two friends unknowingly getting into Pakistan territory facing the terrorists groups, the subject was recently seen in the award winning movie FILMISTAN (2014) too, that unfortunately couldn't reach a wider audience missing any 'star- value'. And exploiting the same plot in a much wackier manner defying every kind of logic right from its first sequence itself, WELCOME 2 KARACHI turns out to be a pretty ordinary project in comparison that ironically had a more entertaining 3 minute trailer than the entire 2 hour film to be straight.

Directed by Ashish R Mohan (post KHILADI 786), it begins with a lazy instrumental track used in the titles and then goes on offering all over the top, crazy or annoying insertions that desperately try to entertain the viewers without any major success. For instance, you get everything thrown in from a 3 IDIOTS inspired child birth, dumb looking terrorists groups and a good looking Intelligence agent to a weird change of identities of two Indians as Pakistani officers, introducing their extended families by news channels and then sending them back to India again with their fresh Indian Passports and disguised looks adding to the senseless confusion (Now who actually wrote that?).

But above all there is one particular sequence staged around the Indian Consulate in Pakistan showcasing a sudden, mindless cross firing from every country's consulate on that road (including China, USA, Israel and many more) which simply makes you wonder that what exactly the makers wished to portray here in the name of political satire or comedy?

The film's basic storyline moves with no specific direction and just keeps wandering into various sub-plots offering only a few interesting moments in its climax as the saving grace. The cinematography doesn't give you anything extraordinary to mention but the VFX are pretty amateurish right from the first sequence of a ship drowning in a sea-storm. Background score tries hard to generate some forced laughter whereas the soundtrack doesn't come up with even a single impressive track despite the presence of a terrific dancer Lauren (in an item number).

As a performer with superb comic timing, Arshad Warsi mostly (tries to) steals the show but Jackie comes up with a few witty one liners too at regular intervals making his presence felt. Yet their act together cannot be termed as something highly entertaining due to the lackluster script and its meaningless progression written vaguely. Lauren Gottlieb is simply there because of her eye-catching looks and dancing ability. Plus the supporting cast fails to make any significant impact on the viewer, particularly the actors portraying the roles of American officers dragging the film to the levels of a poor B-grade venture.

In all, apart from few entertaining dialogues and a somewhat engaging culmination, the film has nothing much to offer in terms of either comedy or satire. But then it also depends upon 'what exactly you consider to be too stupid or funny' as per your personal choice. Besides, friends who have already seen FILMISTAN are going to find some exactly similar sequences too as the one focusing on Cricket match between India and Pakistan.

Moreover I really doubt how sportingly the film would be taken by our Pakistani friends watching such silly depiction of their people, the city and the authorities in its various scenes.

In The Movie Welcome 2 Karachi, The Actors Arshad and Jacky has done a good job but the story of the movie is really NONSENSE. The Movie is exaggerated so much that it should be given 0/10 Marks but due to the hard work of the actors and some good humor, I had to give it 4/10 marks. The Duo goes to the Indian consulate and even a very common guy is carrying a very heavy gun (Even Intelligence officer is not having that type of gun). The movie indirectly wants to say that almost every Pakistani is a criminal and everyone in Karachi is a terrorist. After that a war begins between the consulates of the rival countries. Jacky and Arshad are kidnapped in the movie while walking on the road. A Group of Pathans attack on Arshad for speaking Against Shahid KHAN Afridi (A Pakistani Cricket Superstar). Arshad Tries to steal a pizza but even in the Pizza Box, there are weapons. All These Things try to prove that There is no other thing in Pakistan but Weapons and Pakistanis don't have anything to do but terrorism. Apart from these things, the humor (as already said) was very good and the acting skills of Arshad and Jacky made me to give them a satisfactory marks of 4/10.If the film had a better story and if it had shown some reality about Pakistan and Karachi, the rating would be different. But Good Work by Arshad and Jacky.

Loved this movie, because it was very different from the run of the mill comedies that have slapstick humor and below the belt jokes. It was very 'decent' and hilarious. The second half was funnier than the first. Very creative story. Great acting by Arshad Warsi and Jacky Bhagnani. If you love to laugh and would like to watch a 'non-formula' movie - this is for you. The scenes during a cricket-match, in the courtroom, in an American prison etc. were very funny. Also, this movie was all about fun and showed no disrespect to anyone. Should have more movies like this one, with no run of the mill love stories, songs, violence and slapstick. It was original and fresh.

overall movie used such bad graphics effects, poor cinematography and lame script. it was first time that i left movie at interval. not worth watching if you do not enjoy bad jokes. it was a low budget movie, actors seems to do some over action, and story line is not even keeping you interested in movie, its just a time pass movie. but not worth it. Arshad Warsi was bit better in acting but overall the acting and script was so bad, i wish i had gone to watch some other movie. i did not enjoy this movie at all. This movie reflects negativity against Pakistan, and spread wrong message to the world, it wasn't even shoot in Karachi, but they showed as it was in Karachi. Also portrayed bad image of Pakistan as a terrorist country.