Over a span of 17 years, Welcome has established itself as a significant topic of discussion among Bollywood enthusiasts. Released in 2007 and directed and co-written by Anees Bazmee, the film features a prominent cast that includes Feroz Khan (in his final film role), Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, and Mallika Sherawat, with guest appearances by Suniel Shetty and Malaika Arora.

The plot of Welcome

The narrative of Welcome revolves around Uday (Patekar) and Majnu (Kapoor), who are eager to arrange a marriage for their beautiful sister Sanjana (Katrina Kaif). However, potential suitors are deterred by her family's notorious reputation. Concurrently, Dr. Ghungroo (Rawal) is in search of a suitable bride for his nephew Rajiv (Kumar). During a heroic act of saving Sanjana from a fire, Rajiv becomes infatuated with her. Uday and Majnu support the idea of Rajiv marrying their sister. Initially, Dr. Ghungroo misjudges Uday as a benevolent figure, which leads him to consent to the marriage. Following a hasty departure to South Africa by Dr. Ghungroo and his family, Sanjana and Rajiv reconnect and cultivate romantic feelings. After a series of complications, they are on the brink of marriage, but Dr. Ghungroo imposes a challenging condition.

Box office performance and competition

In terms of box office performance and competition, Welcome drew inspiration from the 1999 comedy Mickey Blue Eyes. The film premiered globally on December 21, 2007, just in time for the holiday season. Critics offered mixed reviews, with particular praise directed at Patekar and Kapoor for their portrayals of mafia characters. The film faced stiff competition from Taare Zameen Par, which was both produced and starred Aamir Khan. Nevertheless, with global earnings of ₹1.22 billion (approximately US$15 million), Welcome emerged as the second highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, affirming its status as a significant commercial success. In recent years, the film has attained cult status.

Welcome received an exceptional response from local audiences upon its premiere, generating Rs. 35 crore in its opening week. While Taare Zameen Par also achieved significant success, Welcome ultimately amassed ₹97.43 crore at the domestic box office. In 2007, its box office earnings ranked second only to Om Shanti Om, with a total global gross of approximately ₹117.91 crore.

Cultural impact and legacy

The film's dialogue and the dynamic between Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar are pivotal factors contributing to its status as a cult classic among fans in the years following its release. Its rich array of situational comedy has also established the film as a cultural reference point for memes.

Welcome marks the first installment in the Welcome series, with its 2015 sequel, Welcome Back, achieving moderate success at the box office. Upcoming is Welcome to the Jungle, the third installment, which is entirely unrelated to the previous films.

Streaming availability

Welcome is available for streaming on various OTT platforms, including JioCinema (OTTplay Premium), Prime Video, ShemarooMe (OTTplay Premium), and Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium).

Read Also: Pushpa 2 OTT Release Update: Allu Arjun's Film Won't Stream on Netflix Before January 30