October 10, 2024: Anees Bazmee Reveals Stress Hospitalisation After ‘Welcome’ Test Screenings Flopped: “Nobody Laughed”
Anees Bazmee, the director known for cult comedies like Welcome and No Entry, recently opened up about the immense pressure he faced during the test screenings of his 2007 comedy Welcome. Despite its eventual success, the film’s early feedback was so negative that it led to Bazmee being hospitalised due to stress.
Anees on the Initial Failure of Welcome
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Anees reflected on the mixed reception some of his most beloved films initially received. He shared that the test screenings of Welcome were disastrous. “When I showed Welcome to people, their reaction was, ‘This isn’t a comedy,’” Anees revealed. He stood by his style, refusing to resort to slapstick or double entendres, saying, “I believe in writing comedy, not shortcuts.”
The trial runs were particularly tough, as no one laughed during the screenings. Bazmee recalls, “Full trial runs of Welcome had not a single person laughing in the theatre.” Despite this, when the film hit the theatres, it became a sleeper hit, grossing over ₹122 crore worldwide and cementing its place as a modern cult classic. “People still make memes on it, so we must have done something right,” Bazmee said with a smile.
Hospitalised Due to Stress
The filmmaker also revealed the personal toll the negative feedback took on him. Bazmee was so stressed that he ended up in the hospital. “When a hundred people don’t like your film, you get stressed. At that time, I didn’t have the body of work I have today, so it was a huge deal,” he explained. While in the hospital, Anees painstakingly reviewed the script, scene by scene, ultimately deciding to trust his instincts. “My conviction said this is something very nice,” he added.
Despite the early setbacks, Welcome went on to become a massive success and is now considered one of the iconic comedies of Hindi cinema.
Anees is set to return with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, releasing this Diwali, starring Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri.
