No one can replace Feroz Khan in ‘Welcome’ series: Nana Patekar

“Welcome Back”, a comedy sequel to the 2007 film “Welcome”, has an ensemble cast including Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and Paresh Rawal reprising their roles from the prequel, while John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Nasseruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia are the new additions.

Watch ‘Welcome Back’ trailer: John Abraham, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal steal the show

On Akshay Kumar not being part of the sequel, director Anees Bazmee said, “The first film that we made was a complete film and the role of Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Mallika Sherawat ended there. When you see this film you will see that the hero cannot be Akshay who was a nice man in that film and in this movie, John plays a bhai and he is best for the role.”

In Pics: Men in black: John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar at ‘Welcome Back’ trailer launch

Nana who has earlier worked with Anil is all praise for his co-star. “After 19 years we did a film together.. After ‘Parinda’ we came together for ‘Welcome’. I remember that time Anil was a star and I was a newcomer. I had a great bonding with Anil while working on this film.. He is like my younger brother,” Nana said. “Welcome Back” marks the comeback of the famous pair of Uday bhai (Nana Patekar)- Majnu bhai (Anil Kapoor). “I felt good doing this role after seven years. If I keep doing same stuff people will get bored. I am happy and lucky I got to be part of this film. My and Nana’s character go hand in hand.. Our characters of Majnu bhai and Uday Shetty are incomplete without each other,” Anil said.

Also, John and Nana worked together in “Taxi No 9211”. “John was raw… Used to get scared.. But you must see him in this film. I am proud of him,” he said. John, whose last big-screen outing was two years back with “Madras Cafe”, will be seen playing the role of Ajju bhai in the film. John’s character is completely opposite to the simpleton Rajiv, played by Akshay Kumar, in “Welcome”.

“I don’t stress on a film.. I don’t think about the results. My job is to act and I focus on that. I am not insecure… Whether my film comes after two years or three years,” he said. Previously, John has worked with Anil in “Shootout at Wadala”, with Nana in “Taxi No 9211” and with Paresh Rawal in “Garam Masala”. “The chemistry with all of them is special. I give credit to Anees (director) for guiding me. The bonding with all of them was fabulous, positive and fantastic,” he said.