Bollywood aficionados are lamenting the absence of the iconic duo Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor in the third installment of the much-loved ‘Welcome’ franchise, aptly titled ‘Welcome to the Jungle.’ Known for their unforgettable roles as Uday bhai and Majnu bhai, Patekar and Kapoor became part of Bollywood’s pop culture lexicon thanks to their stellar performances in the original movies. Unfortunately, the upcoming release will not see their beloved characters return, a disappointment for many die-hard fans.
‘Welcome to the Jungle’ boasts a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Aftab Shivdasani, and Disha Patani, among others. Yet, the absence of Patekar and Kapoor has left a noticeable void. In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Nana Patekar shed light on the reasons behind their decision to part ways with the franchise.
Reflecting on the success of the 2007 comedy ‘Welcome’, Patekar expressed immense gratitude towards its director, Anees Bazmee. He disclosed his initial reluctance to accept the role of Uday bhai, revealing that he had asked Bazmee to swear on his mother that the character was a good fit for him. Patekar humorously added, “But it wouldn’t have been complete if Anil and I weren’t doing it together. If Anil and I are there, then only Welcome is possible. If you remove me, then he alone can’t make Welcome and vice-versa.”
While the original ‘Welcome’ was a blockbuster success, cementing its place in the annals of Bollywood humor, the sequel ‘Welcome Back’, released in 2015, did not fare as well. Despite the direction of Anees Bazmee, the film failed to make an impression on audiences and ultimately stumbled at the box office. The duo of Patekar and Kapoor reprised their roles, but the introduction of new leads John Abraham and Shruti Haasan alongside an ensemble including Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia, did not resonate with fans the way the original cast had.
The announcement of ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, directed by Ahmed Khan, brought with it excitement but also trepidation.
. Patekar revealed that both he and Kapoor were approached to reprise their iconic roles but decided against it. In his candid explanation, Patekar said, “They did approach us. We said no. Kahani nahi hai. Utna mazza nahi aaya.” Translated, this implies that they found the story lacking and didn’t enjoy the script as much as the previous ones, hence their decision to bow out.
Despite the absence of Patekar and Kapoor, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ promises to continue the comedic legacy with a robust ensemble of actors. In addition to Akshay Kumar, who is returning to the franchise after playing one of the leads in the original film, the cast includes seasoned performers like Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma, Sayaji Shinde, Jackie Shroff, and Aftab Shivdasani.
Akshay Kumar, who plays a significant role in the new film, announced ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ on his birthday last year, generating substantial buzz and anticipation among fans. The movie endeavors to cater to a diverse audience spectrum, from children to grandparents, remaining true to its comic roots and delivering a plethora of hilarious one-liners and comic punches aimed at recreating the magic of the ‘Welcome’ universe.
While the void left by Patekar and Kapoor is palpable, the film aims to uphold the franchise’s reputation of heartwarming and rib-tickling comedy. The producers are committed to offering an engaging and entertaining experience that honors the spirit of its predecessors, making ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ a highly anticipated offering on the Bollywood calendar.
In sum, while the beloved pair of Uday bhai and Majnu bhai will be sorely missed, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ seeks to bring fresh energy and laughter to the screen. With a promising ensemble cast and a commitment to humor, audiences have much to look forward to, even as they reminisce about the unforgettable legacy Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor have left in the ‘Welcome’ series.
