The love hasn’t aged a bit: Anees Bazmee on 18 years of ‘Welcome’

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee on Sunday celebrated 18 years of his blockbuster comedy Welcome, calling the 2007 film “a mood, a reference, and a comfort watch” that continues to resonate with audiences even after nearly two decades.

Taking to social media, Bazmee penned a heartfelt note reflecting on the film’s enduring popularity and the love it still receives from fans. He expressed gratitude to the cast, crew and audiences for turning Welcome into a cult classic in Hindi cinema.

Directed by Bazmee, Welcome starred Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal and Sanjay Mishra. Known for its memorable dialogues, comic timing and iconic characters, the film emerged as a super hit upon its release and went on to gross over ₹100 crore worldwide, a significant milestone at the time.

The success of Welcome led to a sequel, Welcome Back, which was released in 2015 and was also directed by Bazmee.

Even 18 years on, Welcome continues to enjoy a strong fan following, frequently trending on television and digital platforms, reaffirming its status as one of Bollywood’s most loved comedy entertainers.