Welcome

After more than a decade since its release, I am writing this review after seeing it for like the 3rd time. The movie has been the source of several memes in the last couple of years including the iconic "Alu lelo0O, kande lelo0O", "mirakal, mirakal" among few others. There is hardly any 10 min stretch in the movie that won't make you laugh or admire the creativity and sarcasm of the writer/director. The characters of Udai, Majnu and Ghungroo will always stay in our funny memories. Akshay does a decent role, and Katrina, with her beauty, pulls off another one with the Khiladi. It is one perfect movie to watch with college friends, or family members. All the songs are still pleasant to hear, make your feet move, all while keeping the humor level decently high. If you haven't watched it, you're missing some original comedy.

Still it is more enjoyable than any of nowadays comedy movies.

Simply love it.

"Welcome" is a enjoyable, masala comedy with an amusing cast. It has plenty of ridiculously unbelievable, cheesy moments and the film requires viewers who don't take themselves or the movie too seriously, and who know how to suspend their disbelief. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who are unable to take the movie in the spirit it was made. Is it full of buffoons and a silly plot? Of course! But what makes this movie so charming is that - like plenty of other Bollywood films - it tells its story with such sincere, earnest conviction that you can't help but get sucked in.

The story is centered on a mafia family headed by two dons, played by the unfailingly charismatic Feroz Khan and the gifted Nana Patekar. Nana Patekar is trying to find a boy from a nice, decent family to marry his sister, played by Katrina Kaif (surprisingly, she is tolerable in this film). Aiding the don in his quest to find a suitable boy is one of Nana Patekar's lesser dons, played by Anil Kapoor. When they find a suitable boy (Akshay Kumar), things are complicated by the suitable boy's uncle (Paresh Rawal), who is not terribly excited about his nephew marrying into the mafia. And from this tangled web of conflicting goals ensues chaos and mayhem. Mallika Sherawat is also entertaining (if extremely confusing) as a random girl who is...confusing people.

It's a silly movie full of childish, mischievous comedy and feel-good moments, but I think that, in the end, that's what we value about Bollywood films: their family-friendly messages, the dazzling spectacle in scene after scene, fun filled madness and a talented cast. Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal were especially impressive and quite adorable. It was amusing to see Akshay Kumar play a clueless good guy after being so used to seeing him as an action hero.

The only way to enjoy this movie is to throw brains and common sense out the window and enjoy it for what it is - a family-friendly comedy with lots of laughs and entertainment. It's a question of expectations. If you get this movie expecting to see something similar to a Hollywood film, then you will disappointed. Bollywood isn't anything like Hollywood, and there is nothing wrong with that. I didn't get this DVD expecting to see an Indian version of The Godfather. There are plenty of funny references to The Godfather in this movie, but the director clearly intends to parody the world and lifestyle of a mafia don, and I think he did a good job. It's a happy story that laughs at itself at every turn, and that's great.

Welcome takes bollywood's modern movies to a new level. Anees Bazmee comes up with a very well directed comedy unlike his previous and 1 or 2 next ones as well. It is a mixture of a little senseless comedy, great situational comedy and even some intelligent comedy.

The movie really builds on its very one-line story. This is because of its characters and the performances of the actors. Nana Patekar has really not given as much to comedy film as he could have given. As Uday Shetty, in his very own style, his expressions and involvement are a toast to watch. He sort of does what I feel Paresh Rawal did in the all-time-great Hera Pheri (Though, he was not as hilarious as Babu Bhaiyya). But I really loved his character. Equally good is Anil Kapoor who himself gives his best ever performance in a comedy movie. Majnoo Bhai is so caring, innocent, dangerous. There is so much liveliness and the "taporiness" in him that whenever he is on screen, you are bound to laugh.

Rest of the cast is more supporting to these two. Akshay Kumar very rightly gets a supporting comedy role at which he's very good. He takes care of his comedy and romance scenes well since he doesn't have the burden to run this comedy movie all alone. Katrina Kaif comes up with a good performance which is really charming. She really became comfortable with the guidance of many veteran actors. Paresh Rawal gets a chance to show that he knows the art of comedy even in a different style. Dr. Ghoongroo does give you the laughs in his not very much screen time. Then there also is Feroz Khan who comes and gives a direction to a movie and really holds it till the end. The only problem with this other cast is they make you smile but not really laugh. Else, Sherveer Vakil, Mallika Sheravat, are good.

Lastly, to generate more, this movie finds a place in an ever welcoming story that could get many more characters. Other actors like Asrani, Mahesh Mishra and all the little goons, the film-making crew are all enjoyable and have the punches. These people have some punches delivered very well.

It is a treat to watch a bollywood movie with such a good level of situational comedy and the sort of creation of comedy (Uday's horses and onions). I may be crazy in watching this movie more than 10 times but every time it makes me laugh. You just need the right sense to see it.

See this movie for its performances and the comedy that really comes out of nowhere. The lack of story never really becomes a problem, he only real problem in this movie was the music in which "Hoonth Rasiley" was bad while the others okay and one like "Kiya Kiya" fairly decent.

WELCOME is a treat to watch. You will come out of the theater saying that it was a very good movie but only if some of the scenes were given a try to be made hilarious, it could have been much much better. (the one rating missing due to that).

With the success of No Entry, the stakes are raised for Anees Bazmee. And does he live up to it? Here is your opportunity to be the judge.

Story:: There is none.

Music:: Disappoints big time.

Starcast:: It would be a gross understatement to say that they have been wasted.

Characterisation:: There is no such word in the dictionary.

Comedy:: The comic portions of No Entry were a laugh-riot but in welcome it falters big time.

Sublime message:: Criticising the people on the other side of the fence, leaves a bad taste.

Verdict:: Don't be fooled by the reviews, "Mindless comedy" and "Leave your brains at home" are the camouflaging phrases used by the critics.

PS:: Akshay's recent success streak will give this movie a home-run though.