By Martin D'Souza, Bollywood Trade News Network
WELCOME is a funny move. It succeeds it tickling your funny bone, but director Anees Bazmee stretches the joke too far. He overshoots by almost half an hour! Here in lies the tragedy of this fun flick which boasts of a solid ensemble cast.
With Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor you cannot go wrong. All are talented actors with years of experience behind them. And it is this, what saves WELCOME. There are a lot of laugh moments with well-timed comedy between the four-named stars. But when it comes to say "CUT" Bazmee falters.
WELCOME is the story about Paresh Rawal wanting to find a girl for his nephew Akshay Kumar. He wants a girl whose family is clean and has no police records. Unfortunately, Akshay falls for Katrina Kaif, who is the sister of two notorious characters in the city, Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, but uncle wants out. In the meanwhile, Anil Kapoor has spotted Akshay on the streets and wants him for his sister, not knowing that the two have already met. The clip where he (Anil) and Nana Patekar combine to con Paresh Rawal in getting Akshay married to their sister is hilarious. There's also Feroze Khan, the Bigger Don who resides somewhere in Italy. Don't ask what his connection is???
There is the distinct Himesh Reshammiya flavour in most of the tracks, nothing rocking. The styling and the look of the film is top class. That's about it. Even Katrina Kaif has nothing to do other than to look glamorous, and she plays that part well.
To go or not: It sure tickles your funny bone. A trip to the multiplex won't be bad.
