Welcome (2007 film)
| Welcome | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Anees Bazmee |
| Written by |
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| Story by | Anees Bazmee |
| Produced by | Firoz Nadiadwala |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Om Puri |
| Cinematography | Sanjay F. Gupta |
| Edited by | Ashfaque Makrani |
| Music by | Songs & score: Sajid–Wajid Composers: Anand Raj Anand Himesh Reshammiya |
Production company | Base Industries Group |
Release date |
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Running time | 158 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹32 crore[1] |
| Box office | ₹122 crore [2] |
Welcome is an Indian 2007 Hindi-language comedy film directed and co-written by Anees Bazmee with production by Firoz Nadiadwala.[2] The music was composed by Anand Raj Anand and Himesh Reshammiya, with songs and score by Sajid–Wajid. It stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Feroz Khan, Mallika Sherawat and Paresh Rawal in prominent roles.[1][4] Sunil Shetty makes a special appearance, while Malaika Arora was cast in an item number.[5] The film marked the last screen appearance of Khan who died in 2009.[6] The core storyline is loosely based on the 1999 comedy Mickey Blue Eyes.
Budgeted at ₹320 million (US$3.8 million) which includes making and marketing costs, Welcome was distributed by UTV Motion Pictures.[7] It was theatrically released worldwide on 21 December 2007, coinciding with the Christmas festival.[8][9] The film received mostly mixed to positive reviews from critics and faced clash from Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par. Nevertheless, Welcome was a major commercial success and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year with global revenues of ₹1.22 billion (US$15 million).[10]
The film is the first installment of the Welcome series and spawned a sequel, Welcome Back in 2015 that also became a commercial success.[11] According to The Hindu, the film's climax scene is a rip-off from the 1990 Tamil film Michael Madana Kama Rajan.[12]
Plot
Dr. Dayal Ghungroo lives with his son-like nephew Rajiv Saini, an auctioneer who is his late sister Chitra's son. Don Uday Shetty wants his half-sister Sanjana married, but fails due to his criminal background. Rajiv is smitten by her. Uday and his best friend, Majnu Pandey, want their marriage. But after knowing they are mobsters, Dayal flees to South Africa with his family. Majnu and Sanjana arrive there. She and Rajiv meet again and fall in love.
Uday and Majnu force Dayal to take the alliance, and invite powerful underworld Don RDX. Dayal sends his sister-in-law Ishika for breaking alliance, who succeeds by lying to be Rajiv's childhood betrothed. Dayal reveals that Rajiv's criminal father harassed and tortured Chitra, who told Dayal to make Rajiv away from crime. He says he'll agree only if Uday and Majnu give up their common crime life.
Rajiv and Sanjana do this by reawakening Uday's love for acting and encouraging Majnu's passion for painting. With these things keeping them busy, Uday and Majnu have no time for crime any more.
Rajiv's actions anger Lucky, who attempts to shoot Rajiv. Sanjana gets hold of the gun and fires a shot that hits Lucky, causing him to go unconscious. RDX is informed of Lucky's death and comes to attend the cremation. However Lucky, who is still alive, escapes, trying to show his father that he's actually alive, but fails. RDX sets the pile of wood on fire, believing he is cremating his son's body. However Lucky, who had been hiding under the wood, jumps out upon realizing the wood is on fire, and the truth is revealed to RDX. Rajiv, Dayal, his wife Payal, Ishika, Uday, Majnu, Sanjana, Uday and Majnu's men and Uday's Lawyer are captured by RDX and brought to a cabin set next to a cliff. The frightened group is forced to play Passing the Parcel (Hot Potato) with a globe — but the one who ends up with the globe must jump off the cliff. When Rajiv refuses to pass the globe to Sanjana, Lucky angrily yanks it out of his hands, just as the music stops. Now that his son has the globe, RDX figures the only way he can maintain his image is by killing everyone. Before he can, several government brokers sneak up and cut the footings of the cabin, causing the house to start falling over the cliff, with everyone trapped inside. However, the cabin is suspended by only one column.
Hilarious chaos ensues as the group tries to balance the cabin together and keep it from falling off the cliff. Amidst this, Majnu tries to remove Lucky's head from a vessel using an axe, by breaking the vessel, during which an angry RDX tries to shoot Majnu, but misses it, causing the bullet to hit a beehive. As the bees sting everyone, Rajiv finds a rope and the group uses it to get back onto stable ground. But to everyone's shock, the floor breaks and Lucky is found hanging on the edge of the cabin. While everyone else is protesting and Rajiv is trying to rescue him, Sanjana reveals the truth to everyone that she was the one who shot Lucky, but Rajiv blamed himself so that Sanjana wouldn't get in trouble. After Rajiv rescues Lucky, the cabin he is standing on falls off into the cliff, leading everyone into believing that Rajiv died. However, Rajiv survives the event and is reunited with Sanjana and his family. Lucky and RDX are grateful to Rajiv for saving their lives and RDX gives up his life of crime, allowing Rajiv and Sanjana to finally get married. Uday and Majnu too request RDX to get them married to Ishika. However, they realize that Ishika fooled them along with Rajiv, as a part of his plan to marry Sanjana. This angers Uday and Majnu, who start to chase Rajiv.
Cast
- Nana Patekar as Don Uday Shankar Shetty, Sanjana’s brother, Majnu’s best friend, a gangster who wants to become an actor
- Anil Kapoor as Sagar 'Majnu' Pandey, Uday’s best friend, a gangster and an artist
- Akshay Kumar as Rajiv Saini, Dayal’s nephew, Sanjana's love interest.
- Katrina Kaif as Sanjana Shetty, Uday’s sister, Rajiv's love interest.
- Feroz Khan as Ranvir Dhanraj Xaka "RDX", an Italy based gangster, Lucky’s father, Uday and Majnu’s boss
- Paresh Rawal as Dr. Dayal Ghungroo, Rajiv’s uncle, Payal’s husband
- Mallika Sherawat as Ishika Kanojia, Payal’s sister, Rajiv’s best friend, Uday and Majnu’s love interest
- Supriya Karnik as Niharika "Payal" Ghungroo, Rajiv’s aunt, Dayal’s wife, Ishika’s elder sister
- Shereveer Vakil as Lucky Xaka: RDX's son.
- Asrani as Akhilendra Chandel
- Charlie as Nandan Singh
- Snehal Dabi as Kakhil
- Paresh Ganatra as Purushottam Bhan (Pappu), Municipal Officer
- Sharad Sankla as Aadesh Mehta, Municipal Officer
- Adi Irani as Harkesh Sahni, Advocate
- Mushtaq Khan as Balwish Dey alias Ballu
- Sanjay Mishra as Pandit Manilal Shastri
- Om Puri as Narrator
- Vijay Raaz as Dhanesh Varman
- Ranjeet as Rakesh Kapoor
- Suniel Shetty as himself
- Malaika Arora in item number song "Honth Rasiley"
Soundtrack
| Welcome | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 8 September 2007 (Digital Release) 14 December 2007 (Film) | |||
| Recorded | 2007 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Language | Hindi | |||
| Label | Junglee Music (Times Group) | |||
| Anand Raj Anand chronology | ||||
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| Himesh Reshammiya chronology | ||||
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The soundtrack was composed by Anand Raj Anand, Himesh Reshammiya and Sajid–Wajid. The lyrics were penned by Anand Raj Anand, Sameer, Shabbir Ahmed, Ibrahim Ashq and Anjaan Sagiri.[7][13] According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 15,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's fifth highest-selling.[14]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Honth Rasiley" | Anand Raj Anand | Anand Raj Anand | Shankar Mahadevan, Anand Raj Anand, Shreya Ghoshal | 4:40 |
| 2. | "Insha Allah" | Sameer | Himesh Reshammiya | Krishna Beura, Shaan, Akriti Kakkar,[15] | 5:38 |
| 3. | "Kiya Kiya" | Anjaan Sagiri | Anand Raj Anand | Anand Raj Anand, Shweta Pandit | 5:02 |
| 4. | "Uncha Lamba Kad" | Ibrahim Ashq | Anand Raj Anand | Anand Raj Anand, Kalpana Patowary | 4:40 |
| 5. | "Welcome" | Shabbir Ahmed | Sajid–Wajid | Shaan, Sowmya Raoh, Wajid | 4:18 |
| 6. | "Kola Laka Vellari[16]" | Sameer | Himesh Reshammiya | Himesh Reshammiya | 5:38 |
Reception
Box office
At the box office, Welcome opened to a massive response locally, by grossing ₹350 million (US$4.2 million) on its opening week.[17] Despite facing competition from the popular Aamir Khan-starrer, Taare Zameen Par which was also a huge success, Welcome grossed ₹700 million (US$8.4 million) domestically.[18] It became the second highest-grossing film of 2007, just behind Om Shanti Om. The worldwide gross was around ₹1.22 billion (US$15 million).[2]
Critical response
Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, and stated "Welcome is one of those entertainers that deliver what it promises: Funny sequences, super performances and loads and loads of laughter. Without doubt, it will be welcomed with open arms by the aam junta!".[19] The Times of India gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, and stated "Go for end-of-the-year gags and season-of-goodwill giggles."[20] Hindustan Times stated, "Akshay Kumar has a flair for comedy but even that is beginning to bore which is quiet evident in Welcome."[21] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, and stated "it's the extraordinary camaraderie between the actors, completely consumed by the foolhardiness that surrounds them, that tickles the bone. And hard."[22] Filmi Beat gave the movie 2 out of 5 stars, and stated "Welcome is a fun ride all the way. The tremendous hype for the film has resulted in a tremendous start at the ticket window and the 5-day weekend as also the lack of biggies in the subsequent weeks will help Welcome reach the 'Smash Hit" status in days to come."[23]
Tajpal Rathore of the BBC gave the film 3 out 5 stars, and stated "Comedies should always be taken lightly in Bollywood and Welcome is as zany as they come. And while it emerges as an addition to Kumar's repertoire of films that have little style and even less substance, it is the formidable ensemble cast that ultimately succeed in welcoming you to the theatre hall."[24] Rajeev Masand gave the film 1 out of 5 stars, and stated "Welcome the tortuous comedy."[25]
Sequel
A sequel to the film, titled Welcome Back, has been released. It features John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal. Earlier reported to release on 19 December 2014, the project finally released on 4 September 2015.[26]
References
- ^ a b "Welcome". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "Top All Time Worldwide Grossers Updated 11/5/2012". boxofficeindia. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (8 November 2007). "Indian Film to distribute 'Welcome'". Variety. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Rohini Bhandari (8 August 2007). "UTV acquires worldwide rights for Welcome". Business of Cinema. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "Malaika Arora does an item number in Welcome". Oneindia.in. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ "Bollywood actor Feroz Khan dies". BBC News. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Welcome Cast & Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ "Welcome V/S Taare Zameen Par". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Meenakshi Verma (26 December 2007). "Taare Zameen Par adds to Christmas sparkle at BO". Economic Times. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "Box Office 2007". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Joginder Tuteja (27 December 2007). "WELCOME creates record in US, UK, UAE". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Kamath, Sudish (4 January 2008). "No, thank you! -- Welcome". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ "Welcome songs". Smashits. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
- ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010.
- ^ "Insha Allah: Welcome Movie | Akshay Kumar | Katrina Kaif Wedding Song | Nana Patekar | Anil Kapoor - YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ "Kola Laka Vellari: Welcome | Akshay Kumar | Katrina Kaif Hit Song| Anil Kapoor | Himesh Reshammiya - YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ "Top First Week Earners (First 7 days only)". BoxOffice India.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "Welcome Rules At The Box Office". BoxOffice India.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood. "Welcome Review 4/5 | Welcome Movie Review | Welcome 2007 Public Review | Film Review". Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Welcome Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Welcome by Times of India, retrieved 1 July 2021
- ^ "Review: Welcome". Hindustan Times. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Welcome packs in a lot of masala". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ IndiaFM, By: Taran Adarsh (21 December 2007). "Welcome Review". www.filmibeat.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "BBC - Movies - review - Welcome". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Review:Welcome the tortuous comedy « Rajeev Masand – movies that matter : from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else". Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "John gets pricey, pockets Rs 15 cr for Welcome Back". India Today. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2016.