Review of Welcome Back (2015) by Jasrick J — 03 Sep 2015

Before I start analyzing Welcome Back, let me state on the onset that the sequel comes nowhere close to the original cult classic comedy Welcome. I mean the the sequel is even missing Akshay Kumar, need I say more. The sequel follows the template of the original, for example Manju and Uday are going to get there sister married again( a different one), the film is like a remake almost with a couple of things changed, with newer jokes, characters etc. But the real question is does the film work, does it entertain. Well I was entertained for the 2hrs and 30 min length time.The film like it promised from the trialer was a full pasia vasool, illogical, zany comic entertainer. Its a family entertainer, but the film carries a beware tag, that you must leave your brains at home while watching Welcome Back to full enjoy the film.This is because the film is highly illogical, the story at times feels totally unbelievable,some of scenes are cringe worthy, but I mean its 90s bollywood at its finest, its what we come to except for a typical Anees Bazmee film. But let me state again if your looking for logic dont watch WB. Pseudo-Intellectuals beware.

The story is a completely illogical tale. The film starts off 7 years later after the last eneded, Uday Bhai and Majnu Bhai are now completely clean and normal people, they own a hotel, they are rich, they have little or nothing to do with the Underworld or violence anymore.They suddenly realize that there getting very old, but they cant find any women too marry, they then both end up falling in love with the same women, who is a con woman, who is trying to leave them high and dry. The Con woman along with her mother act as a Queen and Princess. Both Majnu and Uday realize that have fallen in love with the same girl when out of nowhere Uday's dad shows up with his new daughter from his third unknown marriage and tells Uday he has to get her married cause she is his sister ( and because he is old), the queen and princess insist too so they can get out of there problem. Running parallel Ghunagroo finds out his wife has a child from another marriage who ends being a big gangster in Mumbai. Manju and Uday, after finding out Ghunagroo has a son want to finalize there sisters wedding with his son, he first accepts but then he tries to get out of the marriage because he doesnt want Manju and Uday to find out his son is a gangster. But as luck has it there sister falls in love with Ghunagroo son Ajju Bhai, and when Manju and Uday find out about this they try to stop the marriage. They want a respectable man for there sister. They go running to Wanted Bhai for help to stop the marriage, because they are scared of Ajju the gangster.Wanted Bhai is blind and ends up being the biggest gangster of them all, but at his island Manju and Uday find out his drug ridden son is also somehow in love with there sister too. The rest of story is about who marries Manju and Uday's sister Rajnaha.

Acting wise the film has a huge cast but only a couple of acts standout. Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar own the film there chemistry is hilarious, there are a laugh riot. Paresh Rawal is in complete form, he is very good. John Abraham is good as the typical Mumbai tapoori. Shruti Hassan is okay, but provides a good glamour quotient. Dimple Kapadia is wasted. Shiney Ahuja is loud. Nasserudin Shah is at his hamming best.

See Welcome Back is the perfect film too watch at a single screen where the masses lap, over the top masala entertainers. WB is kind of a stress buster, you just watch the film and enjoy the boofenery. But even for a masala entertainer one wishes the story was a little better, a little logic is needed. And the music is far from even being mediocre. The VFX are pretty below average also, and while the film moves at a fast pace, the 2nd half drags a bit. However the film is mounted well Dubai looks nice, and its nice to see expensive cars, helicopters, mansions etc.

Overall Welcome Back is nowhere close to the prequel there is no comparison, however as a stand alone comedy, its still good.Its a typical Anees Bazmee film, its illogical, its over the top, its zany, but its good fun for people who enjoy leave your brain at home masala entertainment. A recommended watch if your fan of Anil Kapoor or Nana Patekar because they own the film.

3/5* or 6/10.