‘Welcome 2 Karachi’ Movie Review – Bollywood Bubble

Directed by: Ashish R. Mohan
Produced by: Vashu Bhagnani
Cast: Arshad Warsi, Jackky Bhagnani, Lauren Gottlieb, Dalip Tahil and Ayub Khosa
Duration: 2 hours 12 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 1/5

 

Ashish R. Mohan’s ‘Welcome 2 Karachi’ can conveniently be called as “Welcome 2 Mediocrity”. Supposedly an Action Comedy genre movie, has plenty action but lacks Comedy.

The movie has two idiots, (thank god they were not three!); Shammi Thakur (Arshad Warsi) and Kedar Patel (Jackky Bhagnani) who are like the Jai and Veeru of Sholay, inseperable we mean.

Shammi and Kedar are always dreaming of something bigger and better in life. While on one hand Shammi is a naval officer, who has been court-martialled, but considers himself a genius and street smart; Kedar the super genius, is a simple Gujarati boy whose only aim in life is to go to the US and make money.

Kedar’s dream of visiting the US seems to be a distant dream as his visa gets rejected twice. Shammi the street smart guy makes a plan wherein the need of visa gets ruled out to visit the US.

Misinterpreting Kedar’s father Mithesh Patel’s instructions of picking up the marriage party who has booked the boat, the duo zip off themselves with the women dancers in tow. What follows is a series of mishaps after which they land in Karachi.

After entering Karachi, one troublesome situation leads to another as they encounter terrorists, Taliban, US government officials, et al.

The film is supposed to be replete with humour as it is pitched as an action comedy. Action, there is plenty, but the humour quotient is weak. Some good punches, witty one-liners, but mostly cliched mannerisms of a Gujju boy who hams his way through, is all what the film offers.

Arshad Warsi walks through the film, yet, effortlessly performs some scenes with his characteristic humor and panache. He is endearing. There are sparks of his inimitable style and comic timing, but those are few and far between.

Jackky Bhagnani, makes a sincere effort, but disappoints yet again. Only his energy on screen is laudable. Lauren Gottlieb, hardly has any screen time, but has a strong enough screen presence and looks the character Shazia Ansari, the ISI agent, she is portraying.

Veteran actor Dalip Tahil is the quintessential shrewd Gujju businessman from Jamnagar, always trying to strike profitable business deals, but fails to make a mark. He seems more Sindhi than Gujju. Ayub Khosa as the Taliban leader is convincing and deserves a mention.

The music is loud and obtrusive, but the number “Chal bhaag nahin toh” is sufficiently racy and situational.

Director Ashish R. Mohan seems to have a flair for action, but could have concentrated on quality humour as well. The dialogues, though witty at times seem like a feeble effort to make the audience laugh.

“Welcome 2 Karachi” is a poor desi version of the “Dumb and the Dumber”.