‘Welcome’- the timing wasn’t right
By: Ulhas Shirke
It’s time coming closer to welcome the new year 2008; but film-maker Firoze Nadiadwala and director Anees Bazmee thought the other way. They thought of releasing their new film titled ‘Welcome’ almost at the fag end of the year 2007. Were they planning to welcome the new year in advance ? Anyway, this new film starring stalwarts like Feroze Khan ,Anil kapoor ,Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal has left very little for lead pair Akshay kumar and Katrina kaif. And, the showpiece girl Mallika Sherawat is made to share her heart with Anil and Nana at the same time.
Always trying to make a huge impact through action sequences, Firoze Nadiadwala, the producer did offer action, but his main idea was to make a comedy on the topic that has been hammered by Bollywood several times in the past. So, there’s nothing new, except for new combinations. This time, Akshay and his maternal uncle in the film Dr. Ghungroo ( played by Paresh Rawal) interact with not one but three Underworld Dons, one after the other and each one having the link with other.
First, it is Majnubhai( Anil Kapoor) who freezes entire road traffic with the help of his lieutenants, just because he wants to paint that particular scene live. Then, Majnubhai has his senior ‘bhai’from the same profession , in the name of Uday Shetty, who is a cool operator and always trying to control himself. Uday has a sister, played by Katrina kaif, whom this dons want to get married to a boy with a good background. Now, both these dons have their loyalties to the senior-most and most dangerous looking don-RDX( played by Feroze Khan) who travels from one country to other in his special aircraft.
Now, the made for each other couple Akshay and Katrina come together and try different tricks to bring back the brother- dons turn normal, but in the process cause accidental injury to Chief don’s son. In the meanwhile, Uncle- Dr. Ghungroo, who is less in medical practice but more in Super store business, invites his relative Ishita( Mallika Sherawat) from his native place only to project her as Akshay’s first wife, in order to find a way of escape from the hands of these underworld people. Finally, the big don arrives and with the climax scene going all well for the couple, both take the promise from these three D’s to leave their most unacceptable profession.
‘Welcome’ from start to finish is mainly on dialogues and timing among the stalwarts. Therefore, the film has a long footage for Anil, Nana and Paresh but has left very little for Akshay, who is otherwise a king of comedy. The director has instead offered him more action on the backdrop of Dubai. It is therefore Nana Patekar who finally rocks and walks with the cake. Katrina Kaif is fine and looks pretty in all her scenes. Some of the dialogues in the film are vulgar and with the Censor’s scissors razing few words in a dialogue , one can easily make out the cuts. Music of the film isn’t impressive and so are the situations for the songs. The overall film is just an average comedy. And, in comparison to ‘Taare Zameen Par’ that released along with this film, it has just fallen flat, in terms of quality.
………………………………………………………………..
Close
I totally agree with you about there being nothing new, only new combinations. And I agree even more that Nana takes top honours
Reply | | Report Abuse
it is a biggest flop of the year.considering the star cast the movie had,it was far below average.it was really shocking!
Reply | | Report Abuse