Mumbai: The Welcome franchise has always been known for its crazy humour, memorable characters and effortless comic timing. Welcome to the Jungle tries to recreate that same madness on a much bigger scale, but somewhere along the way, it forgets what made the earlier films work. Bigger doesn't always mean better, and this film is proof of that.
The story begins with an interesting premise, but it quickly loses direction. Instead of building a proper narrative, the screenplay jumps from one comic set piece to another, introducing new characters and side tracks without giving any of them enough importance. By the interval, the film already feels overcrowded, and the second half only adds to the confusion. There are moments that are meant to be funny, but many of them land with little impact because the writing never gives the situations enough room to breathe.
Akshay Kumar still has the charm that made him one of Bollywood's finest comedy actors, but even he cannot do much when the script gives him so little to work with. Suniel Shetty shares a comfortable chemistry with him, though his character feels underwritten. Arshad Warsi delivers a few genuinely funny moments with his effortless timing, while Johnny Lever is easily the biggest highlight of the film. Every time he appears on screen, the energy changes, and for a few minutes, the comedy actually works.
Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past Review: An Old-School Horror Tale That Relies More on Mystery Than Fear
Jun 13, 2026The rest of the cast isn't as lucky. Paresh Rawal, who has carried countless comedies with his impeccable timing, never gets a standout moment here. His role feels surprisingly ordinary, and the dialogues don't have the punch audiences expect from him. Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor and Rajpal Yadav are barely used despite their comic abilities, making their presence feel like an afterthought. Disha Patani and Jacqueline Fernandez are given very little beyond glamorous appearances, and neither character leaves a lasting impression.
Ahmed Khan keeps the film moving at a fast pace, but constant movement doesn't create entertainment. The film is loud almost throughout its runtime, with every scene trying to outdo the previous one. Instead of trusting the humour, the film depends on exaggerated reactions, endless shouting and over-the-top situations. After a point, the comedy becomes repetitive, and the long runtime only makes the experience more tiring.
One thing the film deserves credit for is keeping the humour family friendly. It avoids relying on cheap jokes or unnecessary double meanings, which is refreshing in today's commercial comedies. The production values are also polished, and visually the film looks colourful and grand. Unfortunately, good production can only take a film so far when the screenplay itself lacks focus.
Main Vaapas Aaunga Review: Imtiaz Ali Delivers a Heartfelt Tale That Lingers Beyond the Credits
Jun 13, 2026The biggest disappointment isn't that the film is unrealistic. The earlier Welcome films were equally outrageous. The difference is that those films had memorable characters, sharp dialogues and situations that naturally created laughter. Here, the comedy feels forced because the film spends more time showing off its star cast than giving them meaningful scenes.
Rating: 2/5
