Director Anees Bazmee out of Welcome franchise?

Although director Anees Bazmee has helmed both Welcome and its sequel Welcome Back so far, he has reportedly been excluded from the third film of the franchise, by the producers.

Although director Anees Bazmee has helmed both Welcome and its sequel Welcome Back so far, he has reportedly been excluded from the third film of the franchise, by the producers. “Anees had payment issues. He feels he was underpaid despite working hard to make both the films successful,” a source was quoted by a Mumbai tabloid.

Director Anees Bazmee has given a number of Bollywood hits such as Welcome, Ready, No Entry and Singh Is Kinng.

Welcome Back was a much more ambitious project compared to Welcome that came out in 2007. Critics say director Anees Bazmee has concentrated more on the grandeur of the sets than the chemistry between the actors. While the trailers promised a larger canvas, the final product didn't quite live up to it.

What Akshay can do no one else can: Anees Bazmee

Welcome, the first installment of the franchise, starred Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif as the lead pair with Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal as the support cast with substantial roles. In Welcome Back, while Bazmee retained the trio of Anil Kapoor, Nana and Paresh Rawal, the lead pair was replaced by John Abraham and Shruti Haasan.