Sunanya Suresh (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2014)

Anees Bazmee’s Welcome Back will hit the screens on December 19. The film, a sequel to his 2007 comic caper Welcome, has been produced by Firoz A Nadiadwala and stars John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Shiney Ahuja and Ankita Srivastava.

 Says Nadiadwala, “Welcome was a Christmas release and family audiences made it a huge hit. We are making every effort to make the sequel equally successful.” Says John, the newest addition to the starcast, “I’m excited to be a part of this franchise and to be working with versatile actors like Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal.”

 About reprising his role as Majnu Bhai, Anil says, “I enjoyed the role in Welcome because of its madness and fun. I hope and pray that the audience enjoys Majnu Bhai even more this time.”

 Bazmee adds, “Releasing the film on December 19 makes sense as being the Christmas week, it will guarantee maximum audience.”