Welcome
After the passing away of his dark-skinned wife, from who they sired Uday, Dubai-based criminal don, Shankar Shetty re-married a fair-skinned woman, who gave birth to fair-skinned Sanjana. After the couple's passing, Uday takes over in his dad's footsteps, and takes it upon himself to try and get Sanjana married - in vain, as no one wants to be associated with a crime family. Then Uday's associate, Sagar Pandey, aspiring live-action painter, who had loved Iravati, got beat-up by her brothers, and was re-named Majnu, assists in finding a young man, Rajiv, who lives with his maternal uncle, Dr. Ghunghroo and aunt, and through extortion compels Ghunghroo to accept this alliance. But Ghunghroo, at the very first opportunity, gets Rajiv to fall in love with another young woman in Sun City, South Africa. When the time comes to get Rajiv formally engaged to this woman, he finds out that Sanjana and she are the very same woman. With no escape from this predicament, the wedding is planned, invitations are sent out, and even Ranvir Dhanraj alias RDX, an Italian-based criminal don, also makes an appearance. On the day of the engagement, a woman claiming to be Rajiv's child-hood betrothed shows up, makes a successful plea to Ranvir, and gets the engagement annulled. When Dr. Ghunghroo finds out that Rajiv and Sanjana have fallen in love with each other, he decides to accept Sanjana into the family on the condition that Uday gives up on crime. Rajiv and Sanjana attempt to get Uday to take up acting in a Bollywood movie - with considerable success - so much so that Uday has no time for crime. Things get complicated when Ranvir's son, Lucky, gets wind of Rajiv's scheme and arrives in India with one mission - get Uday back on track with crime - and if necessary do away with Rajiv - once and for all.
The film earned $36.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Welcome (2007) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Anees Bazmee's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 3 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Bilal hides in a truck attempting to reach England illegally, establishing his desperate situation and singular goal of reuniting with his girlfriend Mina in London.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Bilal joins the public swimming pool where Simon teaches. This chance encounter disrupts both characters' isolated worlds and sets the story in motion.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Simon actively chooses to give Bilal private swimming lessons, committing to help him despite not fully knowing the plan. This decision marks his entry into the immigrant's world and moral complexity., moving from reaction to action.
At 71 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Simon discovers Bilal's true plan to swim across the English Channel - a potentially fatal 34-kilometer journey in freezing water. The stakes become life-and-death, and Simon must face the full weight of what he's enabling., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 107 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Simon is arrested and faces criminal charges for helping Bilal. He loses his job, his reputation, and any chance of reconciling with Marion. The "whiff of death" - his old life is completely destroyed, and he can no longer help Bilal., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 114 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 76% of the runtime. Simon learns that Bilal will attempt the swim regardless. He makes peace with his choice to help, accepting the consequences. Bilal synthesizes all his training and resolve, ready to risk everything for love and freedom., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Welcome's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Welcome against these established plot points, we can identify how Anees Bazmee utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Welcome within the comedy genre.
Anees Bazmee's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Anees Bazmee films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Welcome takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anees Bazmee filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Anees Bazmee analyses, see Ready, No Entry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bilal hides in a truck attempting to reach England illegally, establishing his desperate situation and singular goal of reuniting with his girlfriend Mina in London.
Theme
Discussion about immigration law and the "crime of solidarity" - helping undocumented immigrants is illegal. The film's central moral question: when does compassion conflict with law?
Worldbuilding
Establishing Calais migrant camp, Bilal's failed truck attempt, introduction to Simon's divorced life as swimming instructor, the cold reality of immigration enforcement, and Bilal's decision to swim the Channel.
Disruption
Bilal joins the public swimming pool where Simon teaches. This chance encounter disrupts both characters' isolated worlds and sets the story in motion.
Resistance
Simon begins coaching Bilal in swimming, initially unaware of his true intentions. Bilal shows exceptional determination. Simon debates whether to get involved, struggling with his own emptiness and impending divorce from Marion.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Simon actively chooses to give Bilal private swimming lessons, committing to help him despite not fully knowing the plan. This decision marks his entry into the immigrant's world and moral complexity.
Mirror World
Simon's relationship with ex-wife Marion deepens the thematic exploration. She works with immigrant advocacy groups, representing the political/activist approach versus Simon's personal, individual act of compassion.
Premise
Training montage and relationship building. Bilal's swimming improves dramatically. Simon and Bilal form a surrogate father-son bond. Moments of hope and connection as both characters find purpose through each other.
Midpoint
Simon discovers Bilal's true plan to swim across the English Channel - a potentially fatal 34-kilometer journey in freezing water. The stakes become life-and-death, and Simon must face the full weight of what he's enabling.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies from all sides: police surveillance of Simon for "crime of solidarity," Marion's disapproval, immigration authorities crack down on migrants, and the dangerous reality of the Channel swim becomes undeniable. Simon's life unravels.
Collapse
Simon is arrested and faces criminal charges for helping Bilal. He loses his job, his reputation, and any chance of reconciling with Marion. The "whiff of death" - his old life is completely destroyed, and he can no longer help Bilal.
Crisis
Simon sits in despair after his arrest. Bilal faces the choice alone: attempt the swim without proper preparation or give up his dream of reaching Mina. Both characters process their losses in isolation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Simon learns that Bilal will attempt the swim regardless. He makes peace with his choice to help, accepting the consequences. Bilal synthesizes all his training and resolve, ready to risk everything for love and freedom.
Synthesis
Bilal enters the freezing Channel waters at night and begins swimming. Simon follows by boat, unable to physically help but bearing witness. The swim becomes increasingly desperate as hypothermia sets in. Coast guard and police converge on the scene.
Transformation
Bilal dies from hypothermia in the water, meters from reaching England. Simon is devastated but transformed - no longer emotionally isolated, he has reconnected with his humanity through this tragic act of solidarity. The system defeated them, but their connection endures.