As the iconic romantic comedy "Welcome" celebrates its 18th anniversary, director Anees Bazmee has expressed his gratitude and nostalgia for the film, acknowledging the enduring love it continues to receive from audiences. Released in 2007, "Welcome" has become a cult classic, known for its madcap humor and memorable characters.
Bazmee shared his sentiments on Instagram, writing, "18 years of Welcome… and the love hasn't aged a bit". He further added, "From Majnu-Uday's madness to Ghungroo's priceless reactions, from Rajiv's innocence to RDX's swag- every character stayed, lived, and became family". The director also thanked fans for their continued support, stating, "Welcome became a mood, a reference, a comfort watch. Thank you for the love, the laughter, and for welcoming Welcome into your lives again and again".
Anil Kapoor, who played the character Majnu in the film, also commemorated the anniversary by paying tribute to the late Feroz Khan, who portrayed RDX. Kapoor acknowledged Khan's significant contribution to the film's success, stating that "Welcome wasn't Welcome without RDX, just like Mr. India wasn't complete without Mogambo". He further added, "Both are irreplaceable, period". Kapoor recalled initially wondering how the script would be received, but Anees Bazmee assured him that Feroz Khan would elevate the film. Kapoor noted, "RDX lifted the film. This film. this character, this madness. magic".
"Welcome" features an ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Nana Patekar, and Paresh Rawal, who all played pivotal roles. Sunil Shetty and Malaika Arora also made special appearances in the film. Notably, "Welcome" was the last on-screen appearance of Feroz Khan before his passing due to lung cancer.
Anees Bazmee revealed that "Welcome" was not initially conceived as a comedy. Inspired by the movie "Mickey Blue Eyes," Bazmee introduced the twist of the heroine's brother being a don, which led to the development of larger-than-life characters such as Uday Bhai, Majnu Bhai, and RDX. Akshay Kumar, after having worked with Bazmee on the romantic hit "Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha," approached him for another love story. As the plot evolved, it transformed into an outrageous, multi-starrer comedy.
"Welcome" is currently available for streaming on JioHotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
