Film Welcome Back is a worthy to watch once for funny scenes and dialogues of trio Paresh Rawal, Ani !!

About a decade ago, director Anees Bazmee’s No Entry began a bizarre new genre of unsubtle commercial cinema. These movies sought no logic or narrative; instead, they simply bundled together a whole lot of hamming, loud noises and childish jokes. These movies became known as ‘masala entertainers’, and they someway became a box office phenomenon. 

Now, Bazmee seeks a comeback with a sequel to Welcome (2007), not-so- skilfully titled Welcome Back, and succeeds only in disappointing the viewers. 

 

After Welcome, Anees Bazmee’s next is the sequel Welcome Back. But, with all due respect, the sequel, despite trying hard doesn’t match up to the charm of the prequel.

 

This time too, Majnu Bhai (Anil Kapoor) and Uday Shetty (Nana Patekar), who have apparently mended their ways, are searching for a 'shareef ladka' for their step-sister Ranjana (Shruti Haasan) and by a twist of fate, the girl ends up falling for a tapori Ajju bhai (John Abraham), who turns out to be the stepson of the much-harassed Dr. Ghungroo (Paresh Rawal).

 

In the meantime, the two rogues Majnu and Uday are also trying to impress a pretty young woman Rajkumari (Ankita Srivasta), who claims to be a princess. To make matters complicated, dreaded don Wanted Bhai (Naseeruddin Shah) has a son Honey (Shiney Ahuja) has lost his heart to Ranjana, setting the stage of craziness galore.

 

John Abraham is appallingly miscast as the local tapori and in spite of the stubble and the slicked hair, he doesn’t astonish much though he does put in an honest effort. Shruti Haasan is beautiful enough while Ankita is not. Dimple Kapadia and Shiney Ahuja don’t get to do much and Naseeruddin hams like there is no tomorrow. Lastly, it is Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, who remind you why the prequel was a hit. The three actors completely own the movie and provide much of the laughter.

 

The three actors slip in their respective characters quite effortlessly and one feels like greeting an old friend when they appear on screen. Kapoor is the go-to guy for tapori roles and we honestly hope we see him in such roles more often. Nana is enjoyable as Uday Shetty, who wears his heart on his sleeve and lets everyone know it.

 

No doubt that the movie is fun enough, but this reviewer could not help noticing that it lacked the charm of the original. The makers have spent a bomb on the locations and vehicles, but it comes across an attempt to distract your attention from the fact that the sequel is not as good as the prequel.

 

The music is completely ordinary and the second half seems to drag on and on. Over-the-top action sequences and a stretched climax scene prove to be the film’s undoing, though some honestly funny scenes and dialogues save the situation.

 

Overall, Welcome Back is a worthy to watch once for funny scenes and dialogues of trio Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar.