Welcome 2 Karachi

wogma rating: Switch channels if it's on cable (?)

quick review:

All the witty one-liners are in the trailer. The rest of the film is tacky with a story line that's all over the place.

Read more
Director: Ashish R Mohan
Running time: 130 minutes
Genres: Comedy, Politics, Social
More Movie Info

Any intrigue that the witty dialogue and unusual story line from the trailer might have created is thwarted with the tacky opening credit sequence and loud initial few minutes. Yet a hopeful viewer waits for the real story to kick in. Even when that happens, it doesn't take off from there and that is a real shame. Because, the premise could really have been exploited – both because it is new and by itself has a lot of meat that can be sliced and diced in many different ways - the two Indians find themselves in Pakistan.

But, the route chosen – loud and all-over-the-place – is more a reminder of a run-of-the-mill Hindi slapstick that has neither head nor tail and just meanders about. Instead, you'd expect more satire from a movie that has such a political context. Welcome 2 Karachi botches up individual scenes that could have been remarkably funny, insightful and satirical too.

Usually, with Arshad Warsi in the mix, you are at the very least guaranteed good comic timing. While there are a couple of laugh out loud moments (especially if you haven't seen the trailer), for the rest, Arshad Warsi comes across as loud and insufferable. Jacky Bhagnani brings in a laugh or two too, but I couldn't figure out why he seemed drunk through the film. While I understand, he was supposedly playing stupid, he came across more as a stupid person who sways a little too much for a person who has had his last drink a few days ago. Again, these few scenes that work, have no context whatsoever.

Similarly, I understand films of this nature work on shoe-string budgets. Even so, the production is too tacky. We have many a example to show that limited resources do not necessarily have to mean cheap/cheesy visuals.

Welcome 2 Karachi ends up being one of those that make you go, “What on earth is going on!?”and even when you are expecting the worst you want to yell, “This is not what I had signed up for.”

- meeta, a part of the audience

29 reviewers(?) - 0 yays 9 so-so 20 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

So-So, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ...Since the mood of the Bollywood film viewer is partial to comedies these days, Welcome 2 Karachi might just float. There is some talk of a series of Welcome 2 films… the next one could just be in London, if the madcap ending is anything to go by.... full review

So-So, by Smita Vyas Kumar, Desi Martini : ...Welcome to Karachi tries too hard to be funny but succeeds only in very small doses. Strictly for the very bored with nothing else to do.... full review

So-So, by Aneela Zeb Babar, Desi Martini : ...The movie is silly..but I am sure everyone knows that; however it is 46 degrees in Delhi and there are worse things you can do then watch two dumb shmucks from Gujarat blunder about Karachi and Waziristan. So two drunk party boys get ship wrecked and land on a Karachi beach. An explosion later they wake up in a Pakistani hospital; where Karachi is just the operative word for Bradford-istan. Seriously.... full review

So-So, by Srivathsan Nadadhur, Desi Martini : ...Some more seriousness, better dialogue and we would have stared at a laugh riot with a purpose. For now, we come out half-happy.... full review

So-So, by Parichay Mehta, Desi Martini : ...The only person who keeps the film together is Arshad Warsi. His comic timing is impeccable in the film as usual. However, Jacky Bhagnani tries being funny to & surprisingly, most of the time he IS funny. If you’re going for few laughs & few WTFs, ... full review

So-So, by Nupur Barua, fullhyd.com : ...The cinematography follows the plans, and together with the production and costume designs, gives you a sequence of stunning yet depressing visuals, as well as some great shots of landscape. The music is average. The editing could have made the second half, specifically, crisper, especially since there is more action there.... full review

So-So, by Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times : ...Going by the logic of Welcome To Karachi, it won’t be a good idea to travel inside Pakistan without a gun. But, cinematic liberty suggests us to overlook such things and then Welcome To Karachi becomes a one-time watch. ... full review

So-So, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...It's one thing to caricaturize for humour, and another thing to completely misrepresent something. One also wishes the humour wasn't accompanied by the insufferable background core and sound effects.... full review

So-So, by Mohar Basu, Times of India : ...Arshad Warsi's screen presence, and his strong sense of comic timing works. Jackky Bhagnani's earnest performance matches his co-actor's and his impeccable Gujju diction deserves thumbs up. Lauren Gottlieb is left unused for most part of the film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Naresh Kumar Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...n short, 'Welcome 2 Karachi' may have stray funny punches, but it’s not a film to leave you in splits.... full review

Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Moreover I really doubt how sportingly the film would be taken by our Pakistani friends watching such silly depiction of their people, the city and the authorities in its various scenes.... full review

Thumbs down, Bollywood Hungama : ...While the music of the film (Jeet Ganguly, Rochak Kohli, Amjad Nadeem) is nothing to write about, the film's choreography (Bosco Martis, Caesar Gonsalves, F A Khan, Brinda) is pretty average. If you add average editing (Steven Bernard) and not-so-exceptional cinematography (Mark Nutkins) to the film, it only leaves the film as a helpless proposition. The film's only saving grace are its dialogues (Vrajesh Hirjee).... full review

Thumbs down, by Sreeju Sudhakaran, Bollywood Life : ...If you are ones who found Sajid Khan movies funny or Navjot Singh Siddhu’s jokes hilarious, this movie will work for you. The rest who are dreamers like me, that are waiting for that one great comedy that will keep us chuckling even after the show is over, well…that wait just got longer…... full review

Thumbs down, by Parampara Patil Hashmi, Desi Martini : ...Some films should stick to being trailers, in order to not disappoint later, like Welcome To Karachi!... full review

Thumbs down, by Sreeju Sudhakaran, DNA : ...Watch Filmistan instead. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Welcome To Karachi is a madcap comedy. The likes where nothing makes sense but grown men act like retards and yet save the world. It’s hard to write a recommendation for such a brainless romp.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mihir Fadnavis, FirstPost : ...I have a few good friends in Karachi. My deepest apologies to all of them on behalf of Bollywood.... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...And what was Lauren Gottilieb doing in this movie which failed to tap her talent? Welcome too, nonsense! ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Such scenes of inspired lunacy are sadly in short supply here. The film drags on incessantly, a bunch of unimpressive songs stretching out the running time. When the lights come back on in the end, you’ll want to run for the exit. I’m going with one-and-a-half out of five for 'Welcome 2 Karach'. It’s a big fat bore.... full review

Thumbs down, by Surabhi Redkar, koimoi : ...Welcome to Karachi promises nothing but slapstick humor. There is not one moment in the film where you get a good laugh and sadly not even a satirical one. This proved to be a yawn-fest for me... full review

Thumbs down, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...Three years ago, director Ashish R. Mohan made the not-all-that-bad Khiladi 786, an Akshay Kumar action movie that was really more of a comedy. At the time, I was curious to see what he’d do with straight-out comic material. I know now. Bhagnani and he can go ahead and make “Welcome 3 Karachi”. But for God’s sake, leave Warsi out of it.... full review

Thumbs down, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...The Dumb And Dumber films have been a real treat for fans of comedy and it was but natural that an enterprising Bollywood filmmaker would attempt to try out the formula over here…and the result is Ashish R Mohan's Welcome 2 Karachi. However, what it ends up being is a poor cousin of the hit film series starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.... full review

Thumbs down, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...Well, besides a few comical moments there is nothing worthy to watch in this boring and insane film. Irrfan Khan was the original choice for this film and at the time of the shooting, he walked out of the film. That's for sure, was the most sensible stuff associated with this movie. Producer Vashu Bhagnani comes up with a yet another master trash film, after giving us trashy aces like 'Humshakals' and 'Himmatwala' due to which this movie should be renamed, 'Lunatics No.1'.... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Only the foolhardy would underestimate Bollywood's ability to do worse, but it is unlikely that you will see another film this unabashedly daft this year. Resist the itch.... full review

Thumbs down, by Paloma Sharma., Rediff : ...Welcome 2 Karachi could have done better had it invested in a good VFX guy. We’ve seen better special effects when it comes to bomb blasts and sea storms on CID. Somebody needs to take this monstrosity to the cutting room floor and chop it up like nobody’s business.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shaheen Raaj, Star Blockbuster : ...A strictly avoidable fare.... full review

Thumbs down, by VISHAL MENON, The Hindu : ...All said, one must salute the relentless perseverance of Jackky Bhagnani, who has effectively become the gold standard for lameness. I wonder why he isn’t a meme yet.... full review

Thumbs down, by Saumil Gandhi, Upper Stall : ...It is sad, because there is a germ of an idea in the film. On the writer’s table, this had potential to be a farce in the honored traditions of a Laurel & Hardy. But…... full review

Thumbs down, Zee News : ...Overall, the production values of the film are of good quality. The setting and locales can safely pass off as Pakistan. Kudos to the art director.... full review

55 tweeters(?) - 23 yays 5 so-so 27 nays

yadav212: Just seen Welcome 2 karachi Super Awesome Movie..Great piece of work by #Arshadwarsi n #Jackybhagnani..Mja aavi gyio :-D

udayveer_uv: just watched welcome to karachi.written good performed better allover an entertaining film.,jacky and arshad increases the level of humour

ThatPerfectCule: Please do watch WELCOME TO KARACHI! Amazing movie, you'll die laughing!

shadshaks: #Welcome 2 Karachi Damn entertaining movie....

SeepiTechi: Welcome 2 Karachi was so fun to watch. Kedar's my favorite! Everyone was laughing throughout the movie. Its amazing! @jackkybhagnani

SaadAsif1: Welcome 2 Karachi was awesome

RadioMirchiUAE: Welcome to Karachi is in the cinemas!Wacth it for these two super fun people, @jackkybhagnani @LaurenGottlieb ;) http://twitter.com/RadioMirchiUAE/status/604903824692641792/photo/1

priyankamundada: Welcome to karachi... Good film... @ArshadWarsi is out standing... Its so his own sense of humor... Cheers

KumarGov000: # welcome to Karachi we awesome

Jug_gler: Welcome to Karachi ! Movie <3

JatinShet: Watched Welcome 2 Karachi last night. Epic comedy.. A must watch for comedy lovers

JamesLewisBro: Welcome to Karachi was Bants, good movie

ItnaSarah: So I seen welcome to Karachi twice in a row. Is that movie banned in Pakistan btw?

idnidhi24: Welcome to Karachi!! loll :'D good one

iamAnanDActor: Today am watched film Welcome to Karachi with this film Actor @jackkybhagnani . wow so entertaining film. http://twitter.com/iamAnanDActor/status/604197563349098496/photo/1

grohit4540: Welcome to karachi nice hahahaha

GadhviDhanraj: Nice movie WELCOME 2 KARACHI, Very nice

dhaivatraval: Watched Welcome 2 Karachi ! A very good movie & super funny acting done by @jackkybhagnani & @ArshadWarsi ! Full comedy / Paisa wasool movie

daylightzombie: Welcome to karachi is an amazing movie xD

AlexMujeeb: Welcome to Karachi epic movie but have showed a lot horrible Pakistan.

AditMehta5: Awesome movie super up acting by Jacky n arshad n also laurel their movie welcome to karachi

Abhi_aJoshi: Just saw Welcome 2 Karachi. Fantastic entertaining movie.i will definitely await for its 2nd part.

55538Khan: Watch welcome to karachi awesome film kudos to arshad and bhagnani

RWBadshah: Watch out "welcome to karachi" - my ratings 6.5/10 , but the indo-pak comedy is hard to miss

monarchvercetti: I watched Welcome To Karachi. Because why not. and this launda, Jackky Bhagnani is not as bad as it seems.

Manavi_19: Welcome to Karachi ! fast paced, comedy, makes for a good one time watch movie! Made me crave hardcore non-veg food in 45degree delhi heat

LOAFerr: 'Welcome to Karachi' is like 'Comedy Nights with Kapil'. Silly and stupid but really funny. Won't earn huge, TV audience will enjoy it!

khalidrafiq140: Welcome 2 Karachi Critics Review: Average slapstick Comedy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blogtobollywood/~3/UaSAeiBvxkU/

zoyaaltaf: Don't watch "welcome to Karachi " :s they have portrayed Karachi the way it is not :/

WithDueRespct: Welcome to karachi.... A bookwassssssss movie with no sense 2 hour ki movie 10 mints me dekh li

vivmeister: Welcome to karachi one of the first movies that I walked out of the theater in the first half hour. So bad so bad.

Vineets62085022: Papa na Pappu what a bore "welcome to Karachi"why can't they make some sensible movies and when I tell them they don't believe .

theblindlemon: Watched Welcome to Karachi. Apparently I always find a way to torture myself.

TeenMurderer: Don't watch Welcome 2 Karachi, extremely racist movie and has absolutely no plot at all

sibasahu: Wtfucker movie welcome 2 Karachi it was ... Waste of time and money ...

SharmillaKhanna: Critics gave 1 on 5 to "welcome to Karachi" that's way too much or mayb 1 is for Arshad Warsi ( who is wasted on movie) ...

sagarcasm: Welcome 2 Karachi could have been a great movie if they had better jokes on Pakistan in it. Should have copied from Twitter.

rajeshrdk: Issued in public interest. DO NOT WATCH WELCOME TO KARACHI.

one_by_two: 'Welcome to Karachi' is so bad that you wish Bhai carries Arshad Warsi & Jackyy Bhagnani on his shoulders & drops them to Pakistan forever

nihallelujah: People, DO NOT watch 'Welcome to Karachi'.

NanguPanguu: Welcome to Karachi is equivalent to what I flush every morning.

KamathGurudutt: WELCOME TO KARACHI: 1.5/5, a dud film. Highly moronic tom foolery. Jacky at his worst. Film had potential, but flops.

HoneyHammadkhan: Bekaar movie Welcome 2 Karachi :/ :/ :/ :/

hinaparveen9: welcome 2 karachi...a big flop.no concept,no motivation...arey yaar marna hai toh goli mardo lekin aisi film mat banau.

GarbarfiedBae: Ghalti se bhi nahi dekhni yeh kutti movie 'Welcome to Karachi'. Nafrat mazeed barh jaani hai in khabeeson k lie

Divyesh_Kothari: Welcome to karachi sad movie

dhun111: I rated Welcome to Karachi (2015) 1/10 #IMDb. Bakwas. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4023852

DelhiKaGeezer: Welcome to Karachi is TORTURE. DON'T STEP FOOT INSIDE CINEMAS SHOWING THE MOVIE!!!!

BollywoodF: “Welcome to Karachi” is as pale as Jackky Bhagnani’s Filmy carrier.

BhopalHouse: Welcome 2 Karachi has so far been the longest twenty minutes of my life. Longing for the sweet release of death at this point.

babbly_girl: Don't watch welcome 2 Karachi, I repeat don't watch it

arvindtiwari07: Watched Welcome To Karachi Today .Totally flop and very bad story and badly directed.

AroobaASodagar: It's like they're trying to take revenge for 'Waar'. Guess what? Waar was classy, Welcome To Karachi isn't.

apurvnagpal: Welcome 2 Karachi: My review: Mindless nonsense, makes you laugh once every 15 minutes but terrible in-between http://apurvbollywood.blogspot.in/2015/05/welcome-2-karachi.html

ankur130: WELCOME 2 KARACHI boring, waste of money

No readers have rated this movie yet.

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Gun fires and camps being blown up. Nothing gory though.
  • Language: A few abusive words
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A cabaret.
  • Concept: Two Indians find themselves in Pakistan
  • General Look and Feel: Very tacky.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:
Dialogues:
Screenplay:

Welcome 2 Karachi - Cast, crew, links

Screenplay:
Dialogues:
Costume Designer:
Running time:
130 minutes
Reviewer:
Language:
Country:

Comments (1)

Click here for new comment

Anup

Hopefully bad performance of this movie will help Tanu Weds Manu Returns and PiKu to earn more for one more week.

Leave a Comment