Storyline: Director Ahmed Khan’s Welcome To The Jungle is about a chaotic journey of a film crew. Corrupt billionaire businessman Sinha (Zakir Hussain) gets to know from someone from the government that if the opposition comes to the power after the elections, his financial fraud will be exposed. Hence, he decides to indulge in some business venture which would go into losses. He eventually decides to make a flop film after investing Rs. 1000 crores in it.
Sinha gets on board two amateur filmmakers Dev (Rajpal Yadav) and Das (Paresh Rawal). Their friend Nainsukh (Shreyas Talpade) comes in as the cinematographer. They select a story about Indian soldiers that takes place in a jungle and name it Welcome To The Jungle. For the main lead, they hire Rajiv Kohli (Akshay Kumar), a top star who is now a flop star. His ex-girlfriend Nadia (Disha Patani) is signed as the lead actress along with Sinha’s daughter (Jacqueline Fernandez). Circumstances force Dev and Das to cast gangsters Yeda Anna (Suniel Shetty) and Romeo (Arshad Warsi) too. Similarly, a lot of actors come on board and the film gets rolling. However, the huge crew lands into unexpected trouble.
Review: The basic premise of Welcome To The Jungle instantly reminds you of Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan (2010), which also starred Akshay Kumar in the lead. The main difference is that he played the director in that movie. But the difference that matters the most is that WTTJ is better than the 2010 flick, although the latter had its moments here and there.
It is anybody’s guess that one needs to keep logic and reasoning miles away while watching such movies. But this is worth only when we get non-stop entertainment in return. That is what happens with Welcome To The Jungle.
The basic plot of a wealthy business wanting to make a flop film itself is funny and interesting. It is also something that used to happen during the olden days. The screenplay gives you no time to breathe. There are plenty of bizarre happenings, both during the film shoot and the second half when the terrorism angle takes over. But, again, the fast pace and the fact that the film is honest in what it is trying to do ensures that you don’t mind that much.
A major plus point here is the dialogue. Most of the jokes land well and make you laugh. The meta humour goes well too. Farhad Samji, who has written the lines, is back to his earlier days with this film. A racist joke and body shaming humour could have been avoided though. There are also quite a few sequences that are straight out of a few other films. This is not a big downer though. The biggest issue is the length in the second half, especially during the climax, and the overdose of explosions.
The film has one of the largest ensemble cast. This role is tailor-made for Akshay Kumar and he once again rises through his comic timing. Suniel Shetty, whose character trait and name are repeated from Awara Paagal Deewana, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav carry their tasks well. Raveena Tandon gets a meaty part and she excels in it. Disha Patani isn’t bad. Jacqueliene Fernandez struggles yet again. Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar deserve special mention for being scene stealers!
Tusshar Kapoor and Aftab Shivdasani are average. Lara Dutta is decent in an extended cameo. Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma, Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda don’t get much to do. A talented bloke like Shreyas Talpade, who, although funny, is cast in an inconsequential role. Jackie Shroff succeeds in looking like a terrorist but doesn’t get much scope to perform. The same is the case with Vindu Dara Singh, his associate.
Zakir Hussain, whose character is modelled on Vijay Mallya, does well but disappears later. Daler Mehndi appears awkward and performs poorly. The late Pankaj Dheer, Feroze Khan and Puneet Issar are likeable in their cameos inspired from their characters from BR Chopra’s Mahabharat. Urvashi Rautela is hardly there.
Overall: Welcome To The Jungle is an enjoyable chaotic ride after a long time if you are ready to keep logic and reasoning aside.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Director: Ahmed Khan
Producers: Firoz A Nadiadwallah and Cape of Good Films
Writers: (Late) Neeraj Vora and Farhad Samji
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Arshad Warsi, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Raveena Tandon, Jackie Shroff
Also read: Khalid Ka Shivaji review: Worth watching for its portrayal of current social reality
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