In a surprising revelation on Akshay Kumar’s popular game show, Anil Kapoor unveiled the profound message hidden in the iconic painting from the comedy classic ‘Welcome’. The artwork, featuring a donkey riding a horse, has long been a staple in social media memes, but Anil insists there’s much more to it than just laughs.
During the Holi special episode of ‘Wheel of Fortune’, hosted by Akshay Kumar, a fan gushed over the duo’s chemistry in ‘Welcome’ and quizzed Anil about the painting’s backstory. With a straight face, Anil shared that he still owns the original piece. ‘People meme it endlessly, calling it bizarre,’ he said. ‘But it carries depth, a story, and serious intent.’
The fan mentioned spotting T-shirts with the design in stores, prompting laughter as co-star Radhika revealed she owns one too. Anil quipped about earning royalties from the merch, sending Akshay into fits of laughter.
Delving deeper, Anil explained the symbolism: the horse embodies hard work, dedication, and hustle, while the donkey represents laziness. ‘The horse does all the labor, yet the donkey grabs the glory,’ he noted, drawing parallels to workplace dynamics where employees toil but bosses reap rewards. He turned to the audience: ‘Are you the horse or the donkey?’
Reflecting on the ‘Welcome’ franchise, Anil reminisced about teaming up with Akshay for the first installment, missing the second, getting ‘axed’ for the third, and teasing a reunion in the fourth. Directed by Anees Bazmee, ‘Welcome’ showcased Anil’s unforgettable Majnu Bhai, elevated by this quirky yet insightful painting that’s now meme royalty in Bollywood lore.
This anecdote not only reignites nostalgia for the 2007 hit but also offers a clever commentary on life’s inequities, proving comedy can pack a punch.