First of all, let me clear you, “Welcome” is NOT an Akshay Kumar movie. It is Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar Movie. They are the lead characters though conventional hero is Akshay. It is big hit ringing cash registers in multiplexes and single screen theatre as well. The public is laughing back to their homes, and producers, distributors, exhibitors, all are laughing all the way to their banks. This movie can be as big hit as NO ENTRY was last year (Can even be biggest grocer of the year). Period.
That’s all about commercial aspects of the movie, now lets talk about the actual movie. The movie requires a mandatory pre-requisite… keep your thinking body parts at home…. that points to your brain. I can’t understand Nadiadwala’s fascination about underworld and Dons….. but this time it worked out properly thanks to writer-director Anees Bazmee.
The story is hilarious in first hearing itself. A Don based in Hong Kong, Udaybhai (Nana Patekar), is looking for a “shidha sadha sharif” young man for their lovely princess sister – Sanjana (Katrina Kaif). Helping him in his endeavor is his another Don Friend, Majanoobhai (Anil Kapoor). Evenafter having “paisa hai, shoharat hai, ijjat hai” as Udaybhai says, they are not able to get the suitable man for their sister due to their infamous track record so they keep looking and saying “bas ek sharif ladka chahiye jisase ham hamari bahen ko shadi kara sake”.
After failed efforts from Udaybhai, Majnubhai takes the controls of this task in his hands and finds the perfect “Sharif ladka”, Rajiv (Akshay Kumar), who is a working at Collectible Arts auctioning company. Rajiv’s uncle or mama, Dr. Ghunghroo (Paresh Rawal) is also on the search of the perfect sharif khandan “jiska kisi bhi criminal se to kya police station se bhi sambhandh nahi aaya ho”. Majnubhai (in his own unique ways) tries to get Rajiv’s uncle impressed by Udaybhai so that he can accept to marry Rajiv with Sanjana.
But as the facts unfold, Rajiv and his uncle come to know that they are dealing with a Don family. They do all their efforts to get out of this relation but somehow or the other, they get back to it again and again of course through hillerious situations. However, Rajiv has already met Sanjana before all this and is really in love with her. He wants to marry him but due to mama’s pressure to marry only with the most “Sharif khandan”, he is unable to do it. Dr. Ghunghroo even tries to bust his engagement ceremony with the help of his sali, Ishikaa (Mallika Sherawat). Rajiv asks why he is doing so. When he come to know the reason, he promises that he will get all the Dons to leave the black underworld and be a “sharif insan” in white collared world.
How he does that, is funny, hilarious, comic joy ride. In it also features, RDX (Firoze Khan) who is Godfather from Italy of these 2 Dons.
The concept and story idea is unique and screenplay written well by Anees Bazmee and Abbas Tyrewala. However may situations are repetitive (feels like film is going round and round) and the screenplay could have been better. The direction is taught and pace is good. Anees is successful 2nd time to keep client glued to the seats and also jumping with laughter frequently throughout the movie. Some comic situations are forcily placed and stretched too far, however no one complains because those really keep audience rolling on the floor with laughter.
On the performances side, Nana Patekar steels the show. He is really a veteran who can take care of any character or role and carry the movie on his shoulders. People connect with him immediately. Anil kapoor looks awesome at this age and can really give the new young film stars real run for their money. He compliments nana perfectly and gets lots of laughs and giggles out of the public. The timing between the 2 is perfect and its a pleasure watching them together. They shall do more films together (preferably comic).
Paresh rawal is perfect in his role. He again gets people smiling and laughing. Katrina Kaif is OK in her small role. 
However another scene stealer is Mallika Sherawat. She impresses with her performance and gells with the movie perfectly. This film can be her official entry to A-grade mainstream bollywood movies.
From the list of other huge supporting cast, Vijay Raaz is noticeable again. Others who need mention are Supriya Karnik, Snehal Dhabi, Adi Irani, Mushtaq Khan and Sherveer Vakil. Firoze Khan is good and does justice to his job. Suniel Shetty is there as guest appearance in which he is ok.
Cinematography is excellent. Production values great. The only downer is music even after having so many music directors. The welcome song should have been used properly and not in the end credits.
On the whole, this movie is already a big hit and continues to be. You can watch it again and again after time intervals.
BR Rating as a movie: ***
BR Rating as an entertainer: ****
BR Verdict: Good!
BR Advise: Hop in! Join the funride!! Welcome!!!
