As the hit comedy "Welcome" celebrates its 18th anniversary on December 21, 2025, Anil Kapoor fondly remembered the late Feroz Khan and his significant contribution to the film. Kapoor credited Khan's portrayal of the iconic character RDX as the element that elevated the film to its success.
Kapoor shared his reflections on X, accompanied by throwback images from the film and a monochrome picture with Feroz Khan from 1986. He noted that "Welcome" would not have been the same without RDX, just as "Mr. India" was incomplete without Mogambo, emphasizing that both characters are irreplaceable.
Anil Kapoor recalled his initial apprehension upon hearing the script and wondering how the film would be received. He recounted director Anees Bazmee's reassurance that Feroz Khan would elevate the picture. Kapoor acknowledged that Bazmee was right, stating that RDX lifted the film with his powerful performance, turning the character into a cinematic "madness" and "magic".
"Welcome," released in 2007, is a Hindi-language romantic comedy co-written and directed by Anees Bazmee. The film, inspired by the 1999 English comedy "Mickey Blue Eyes," features an ensemble cast, including Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, and Mallika Sherawat. Sunil Shetty and Malaika Arora also made special appearances.
Anees Bazmee also shared a post commemorating the film's 18th anniversary, expressing gratitude for the audience's continued love for the movie. He remarked that despite the film's age, the audience's affection for it remains youthful. Bazmee highlighted the memorable characters and expressed thanks for the love and laughter "Welcome" has brought into people's lives.
"Welcome" holds significance as the last on-screen appearance of Feroz Khan, who passed away in 2009 after battling lung cancer. The film was a box office success, earning ₹70.13 crore net against a production budget of approximately ₹48 crore. The film's success led to a sequel, "Welcome Back," in 2015, and a third installment, "Welcome to the Jungle," is slated for release next year.
