'Welcome Back' is a blazing example of the 'Leave your brains at home' variety, because five minutes into this movie, you would want your brain cells to take a break, as you are busy guffawing at the absurdity of it all
'Welcome Back'
U/A; Comedy
Director: Anees Bazmee
Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Shiney Ahuja
Rating:
ADVERTISEMENT
There is a convenient phrase traditionally used in Bollywood to justify every mindless movie that is churned out of the factory. 'Welcome Back' is a blazing example of the 'Leave your brains at home' variety, because five minutes into this movie, you would want your brain cells to take a break, as you are busy guffawing at the absurdity of it all. The good thing is that this film. like its original, is totally unabashed and unpretentious about its silliness and randomness.
Once known as dangerous dons, Uday Shetty (Nana Patekar) and Majnu (Anil Kapoor) are trying hard to get their 'izzat' back as reformed gentlemen. Uday gets to know he has a kid sister, Ranjana (Shruti Hassan) and that her wedding is his and Majnu's responsibility. This affable 'Gundonka Laurel Hardy' duo goofily go about spoiling things for themselves as they try fixing a 'good' match for Ranjana and for themselves. They want Ghungroo (Paresh Rawal)'s 'surprise' son Ajju (John Abraham) for Ranjana. And two scenes later, they are trying to keep Ajju and Ranjana apart, even as the latter has acquired an obsessive lover, Honey (Shiney Ahuja) in the process. Honey is the dreaded gangster Wanted's (Naseeruddin Shah) son.
The plot is a no-brainer, the goings on are inconsistent, but what definitely works in the film's favour is its laugh out loud dialogues (written by Anees Bazmee, Rajiv Kaul and Raj Shandaliya). Mostly original and seeped in humour, these dialogues get better because they are mouthed by some of the best actors that we have — Anil Kapoor, Nana, Rawal, Shah and Dimple Kapadia. This ensemble is a pure delight to watch on screen. Some scenes are uproariously funny, like the one at the graveyard where an impromptu antakshari takes place. Unfortunately, the director is not able to keep up the tempo in some portions, especially in the second half, which seems forced and tedious.
John Abraham puts in a decent effort and makes his Ajju quite an endearing character. Shruti Haasan looks pretty and that's about it.
Overall, it's a fun watch which will keep you snorting and giggling even after you exit the theatre.