A sloppy, mirthless comedy that even Arshad Warsi can't salvage.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical consensus on Welcome to Karachi is largely negative, with most reviewers finding it a lazy, unfunny comedy that wastes its premise. The few relatively positive notices single out Arshad Warsi's comic presence and occasional genuinely funny moments or dialogue as the film's main saving graces. Common criticisms include a weak, logic-free script, forced and grating background sound effects, amateurish VFX, poor pacing, and Jackky Bhagnani's ineffective performance. A minority of reviewers considered it a passable one-time watch for undemanding audiences, but the majority advised skipping it entirely.
8 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 31 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
When the gags are flowing apace, and there some good ones in here, 'Welcome 2 Karachi' keeps ticking. I found myself flagging when the pace dipped, especially in the second half. But overall it is all good-natured and appropriately silly, so 'Welcome 2 Karachi' stays watchable. And it manages to end on a hilarious note, sending us out laughing. For a comedy, that's a win.
Top critic
Film review ·
In any case, how much can actors do, in what is essentially a live-action cartoon? Director Ashish R Mohan is mostly interested in jokes, and all the best ones are in the film's trailer. I recommend you watch that instead.
Top critic
Film review ·
The film drags on incessantly, a bunch of unimpressive songs stretching out the running time. When the lights come back on in the end, you'll want to run for the exit. It's a big fat bore.
Top critic
Film review ·
Only the foolhardy would underestimate Bollywood's ability to do worse, but it is unlikely that you will see another film this unabashedly daft this year. Resist the itch.
Top critic
Film review ·
The film thinks it would be hilarious to use the word 'fafda' as a euphemism for 'f*ck', presumably because Gujjus love fafda more than … never mind. So, taking a leaf out of Welcome to Karachi's script, heed this warning: everyone involved in this fafda film overacts, there isn't remotely a fafda funny line to make you fafda laugh, it looks tacky as fafda, is loud enough to make your fafda eardums fafda explode, and long enough to deplete your fafda hairline. I have a few good friends in Karachi. My deepest apologies to all of them on behalf of Bollywood.
Film review ·
...is a crazy goofy mindless fun having Arshad and Jackky posting similes on the audience face. If you love no brainers. WTC is your ticket.
Film review ·
What follows is a half funny, half not so funny adventure of the two bumbling idiots, who are by now desperate to get back to this side of the border. What stands out in this film is the fairly intelligent writing, which includes a few uproariously funny dialogues, and which belies the writer's (Vrijesh Hirjee) fair understanding of the current political scenario.
Film review ·
...tries to be dark and comic, but it's mostly a ha-ha-he-he satire where the joke is on all things — men and nations — macho and flexed. This description makes the film sound sublime. It's not. It's plain ridiculous and fun. It has the sort of jokes that you know are going to be dragged till our sides split.
Film review ·
A few scenes in the film are definitely entertaining including the parliament one. The comic timing of the actors takes the cake away at quite a few places too and then Lauren Dance number is worth watching as well. We would not say that the film cannot be missed but it's not absolutely bad either. So if you have nothing that you are looking forward to do this weekend, go watch it at a theatre near you.
Film review ·
It's a mindless film, but with some great fun-filled moments. Going by the logic of Welcome To Karachi, it won't be a good idea to travel inside Pakistan without a gun. But, cinematic liberty suggests us to overlook such things and then Welcome To Karachi becomes a one-time watch.
Film review ·
WTK isn't hilarious but has sparks of brilliance and is worth a watch.
Film review ·
It's one thing to caricaturize for humour, and another thing to completely misrepresent something. One also wishes the humour wasn't accompanied by the insufferable background core and sound effects. However, if you can look beyond these flaws, the film is worth your time for the unique story, performances and some genuine laughs.
Film review ·
The story of a dumb and dumber Indian mistakenly landing on the shores of Pakistan is the not the story of your average Bollywood film, the jokes in it though cater to the lowest common denominator. The director Ashish R Mohan, was Rohit Shetty's assistant, hence that should come as no surprise. Welcome to Karachi is okay for a few silly laughs with silly being the operative word.
Film review ·
It's an average fare which could've been far better had its meanderings been trimmed.
Film review ·
If you are ones who found Sajid Khan movies funny or Navjot Singh Siddhu's jokes hilarious, this movie will work for you. The rest who are dreamers like me, that are waiting for that one great comedy that will keep us chuckling even after the show is over, well…that wait just got longer…
Film review ·
...is a slightly better effort than director Ashish R. Mohan's previous film, the stain on humanity that was Khiladi 786, but that isn't saying much. The film neither entertains nor does it inform, and it leaves you asking: what the fafda, man.
Film review ·
It's not easy to make a non-stupid film with two stupid characters at its helm. Welcome 2 Karachi pulls off that daring feat without falling flat on its face. For that alone this film deserves a bit of our attention.
Film review ·
The film has a very cheap look to it. The production values are suspect. The tacky opening credits itself give you the feeling that there's very little of affect to follow. The script lacks basic sense. Even if the characters are supposed to be dumb misfits, there has to be some logic in setting them up on a path to redemption. That's not to be found here. the dialogues sound disconnected. The set-ups are all lacking in finesse.
Film review ·
Director Ashish R. Mohan seems to have a flair for action, but could have concentrated on quality humour as well. The dialogues, though witty at times seem like a feeble effort to make the audience laugh. "Welcome 2 Karachi" is a poor desi version of the "Dumb and the Dumber".
Film review ·
The film's plot and direction go haywire right from the word go. With Arshad Warsi being the sole anchor of the film, it was a tough situation for him to carry the film alone. Right from the first frame, the viewers are treated to nonsensical script, forced humor and amateurish VFX. While the film's first half is a complete washout, the only saving grace is the climax. Rest of the movie is just episode after episode of idiotic adventures of Shammi and Kedar. ...can be avoided without a regret.
Film review ·
...promises nothing but slapstick humor. There is not one moment in the film where you get a good laugh and sadly not even a satirical one. This proved to be a yawn-fest for me...
Film review ·
The laughter tracks in the background score are desperate attempts to remind audiences that these are humorous moments. You may think that looking for accuracy and insight in a film like Welcome 2 Karachi is expecting too much, but if the generous creative liberties taken don't result in an entertaining film then one has to fault the filmmakers even more. Welcome 2 Karachi is a comedy of errors with few laughs and more exasperating sighs.
Film review ·
...ends up being one of those that make you go, "What on earth is going on!?"and even when you are expecting the worst you want to yell, "This is not what I had signed up for."
Film review ·
Welcome 2 Karachi could have done better had it invested in a good VFX guy. We've seen better special effects when it comes to bomb blasts and sea storms on CID. Somebody needs to take this monstrosity to the cutting room floor and chop it up like nobody's business. Somebody also needs to put actual musicians at the helm of the sound department.
Film review ·
Arshad and comedy go hand-in-hand. He is able to make mincemeat of any dialogues, and situation, however silly. Bhagnani junior hams, and tries very hard, coming out looking really, really, really desperate. A far cry from the talent he has shown in his previous movies. And what was Lauren Gottilieb doing in this movie which failed to tap her talent? Welcome too, nonsense!
Film review ·
The film is a delight. Added to it, Arshad and Jacky's comic timing set up in an unusual background make this movie a perfect one time watch.
Film review ·
A movie must outdo its trailer. That's what we hope for, but unfortunately Bollywood lures us into theatres with big promises and never keeps it. 'Welcome 2 Karachi' slips into that disappointing category. Last year, a small-budget movie 'Filmistaan' gave Indo-Pak border politics a clever, comical twist, sadly, 'Welcome 2 Karachi' never matches up.
Film review ·
Welcome To Karachi is a madcap comedy. The likes where nothing makes sense but grown men act like retards and yet save the world. It's hard to write a recommendation for such a brainless romp.
Film review ·
All in all, this Arshad Warsi and Jackky Bhagnani starrer is a big bore which you will regret watching.
Film review ·
The sort of derivative comic slop Arshad Warsi has had to wade through his entire career...All you really need to know is that this is the kind of film in which there's a running joke about two characters named Ittefaq and Watthefaq.
Film review ·
In the end, you only wish Warsi would get better roles and better films that do justice to his talent, rather than this hackneyed mess of a film.
Film review ·
Arshad knows this terrain well and in the absence of any challenge he repeats himself. Unlike Kedar's father in the film, Jackky's producer father hasn't lost hope in him and Jackky does try to lift his game as the moronic character but is let down by an inspired writer, a lazy editor and a director who has taken only baby steps since Khiladi 786. It seems like the aeroplane in the climax, Kedar and Shammi have taken the reins of the film!
From our readers
6 ratings · user score 3.8
Two youngsters who wish to go America by Boat will lands accidentally in Karachi,Pakistan. The journey of coming back to India is the story line of this movie. Movie mainly focusing on the comedy.. with well drafted story. One point of time you will think that these two guys are really so dumb and their innocent behaviour will make you laugh. Arshad Warsi's story selection is different and he will entertain us with his style of entertainment. A good movie to watch with family. Rating: Good Movie
I will get straight to the point and save you time by explaining (and hopefully convincing) why you should skip Welcome 2 Karachi for life. The story about two Indian idiots, Kedar (Bhagnani) and Shammi (Warsi) trying to go to America through seaways using a motor boat and, instead landing in Pakistan sounds like an ideal base for a satire. However, the film starts, fools around, and ends with absurdity as its main and the only ingredient. Since it is a satire one does not pay attention to the story. But to depend on extremely unpleasant jokes and cooked-up situations is like depending on the US to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. The performances are not pleasant either. Bhagnani acts pure dumb, but then he does not put much effort into it as acting dumb comes naturally to him. Although, he does play the comedian if we compare him with the lunar eclipse Warsi, who looks dull after his long hiatus from the screen. Gottlieb cannot act, nor can she deliver her dialogs properly. She should stick to brain-numbing dancing. All said and done, one will enjoy only few chuckles that are caused by random comic situations, which are, for your information, only present in the first half. The second half is worse than Roy (2015) and Kuch Kuch Locha Hai (2015) put together. Plus, I could also sense some exaggeration regarding the depiction of the Pakistani life. Clearly, Pakistan as a country is not as bad as the film showcases it to be. BOTTOM LINE: Welcome 2 Karachi is a satire film which takes it audience on a 2-hour long ride so that it can show how it is NOT a satire film. Skip for life. RATING: 1 star out of 10. Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
It is sad that all critics unable to comprehend the subject and how was presented. I saw this movie after going through all critic's points to find out the truth. It is sad to note that critics have misguiding views. One has to say how the situation is manipulated at the higher level which was clearly visible and depicted in the story line which fact. The same is put very effectively. This was ignored by our matured critics. We all go to movie theater for fun and not to drag into boring and depressing surroundings. Here all team members have to efforts to give us fun and fact of current situation in Libiya,Iraq, Syria, Pakistan where USA, UK are playing dirty politics for their own vested interest. My request to all see this movie with different prospective rather from the critics point of view. It is worth spending £12 which I did value for money in London.
Welcome 2 Karachi is a comedy film by Ashish R Mohan. Occasional hilarious scenes might leave you in splits, but otherwise, the movie fails in its genre. It turns out be a very average movie. Welcome 2 Karachi does an attempt to add humour to India-Pakistan feud, Taliban Issue, American's interventions, but these all turn out to be merely over-the-top drama. The opening credits itself do not generate any curiosity but are set up in an inferior tone. Kedar Patel (Jackky Bagnani), son of a businessman, gets his US visa rejected for the third time. His good friend and ex-navy professional Shammi (Arshad Warsi) suggests to go to USA by cruise, if not by air. But an accident makes them arrive at Karachi. When they learn that they are in Karachi, both of them in their attempt to come back to India, goof up the whole thing. They are mistaken to be intruders from across the border. Lauren plays the role of Investigation officer who is sure that these two people (Shammi and Kedar) might be a threat to their country. Kedar is dumb and Shammi is loud-mouthed which land them in unforeseen situations. They both definitely generate laughter through some scenes when they accidentally get trapped sometimes amongst Pathans / Mujahideens / Police officers / Talibans etc. Taliban Camp Scene is worth mention, though looks very unreal, but it was so funny. Both Arshad and Jacky are good. We have seen this Arshad earlier also, but as far as Jackky is concerned, he also has shown good comic timings. The movie just projected some plots / sub plots, even attempted to present a satire on so many pertinent issues, but somewhere, the passion got lost in storytelling and the output turned to be very mediocre. Music is below average and an unwanted item number 'Shakira' (by Lauren) was inserted. Welcome 2 Karachi, in spite of hilarious moments and with Arshad and Jacky in the lead, fails to take off !
Credits
Hindi films like Welcome to Karachi
F.A.L.T.U
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