Dhoom was the first action film produced by Yash Raj Films, since Yash Chopra's Vijay (1988). The film revolves around a gang of robbers on motorbikes, led by Kabir (John Abraham), who carry out robberies in Mumbai, while a police officer, Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and a motorbike dealer, Ali Akbar Fateh Khan (Uday Chopra) stop them.
Dhoom released on 27 August 2004, and proved to be a commercial success, grossing over ₹290 million (US$3.6 million) in India, thus becoming the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2004.[4] It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its performances, action sequences and soundtrack, but criticism for its script and was negatively compared to other Hollywood action-thriller heist franchises like Fast and Furious, Death Race and Ocean's. It developed into a cult film over the years since its release.[5]
A gang of robbers on motorbikes, led by Kabir, carry out robberies in Banks and other public places in Mumbai, causing chaos to the police. Assistant Commissioner of Police Jai Dixit, a no-nonsense police officer, is assigned to the case.
Jai seeks the help of a local bike dealer and racer, Ali Akbar Fateh Khan and creates a plan to trap the gang, though it fails. Kabir taunts Jai, claiming that he wouldn't even be able to catch him even if he was right in front of him. He is proven correct when Jai's failure causes him to part ways with Ali.
Kabir lures Ali into his gang as a substitute for Rohit, a member of Kabir's gang who was killed by Jai. Ali falls in love with Sheena, another member in the gang. The gang plan their next and final heist in Goa before parting ways. The gang plan to rob a casino on New Year's Eve. Kabir and his gang successfully rob the casino, however Kabir realizes that Jai led him into a trap. It is revealed that Ali was working with Jai the entire time, and a fight ensues.
Kabir manages to escape and goes back to the gang's truck, where Ali has kept Sheena hostage. Kabir confronts and beats up Ali for his betrayal, however Jai arrives and saves Ali. Kabir and his gang, except for Sheena, flee and Jai and Ali go after Kabir. Jai and Ali eliminate the gang except for Kabir, who attempts to escape, but is cornered by Jai and Ali. Rather than letting Jai arrest him, Kabir decides to take his own life by riding his bike over the edge of a cliff. The film ends with Jai and Ali arguing with one another, in a friendly way.
Aditya Chopra initially had car chases in mind instead of bikes, but Sanjay Gadhvi convinced him otherwise as the rider's faces can be seen, and he had a craze for bikes in his youth.[6]
Reception
Box office
Dhoom was a commercial success at the box office and ended up netting about Rs. 4.5 crores from the Mumbai circuit in 2004.[4][7] Its gross net amount in India was ₹29 crore (US$3.6 million), and its lifetime worldwide adjusted gross is ₹72.5 crore (US$9.1 million).[3][8][9][10] Overseas gross of Dhoom stands at US$2 million with its U.S. gross at $330,400.
Critical response
Rajesh Karkera of Rediff.com said that "Dhoom does have a few loopholes but the film's fast-paced energy is more than enough to ensure your eyes don't stir from the screen for two-and-a-half hours", on the performance side, Chopra "steals the show", Bachchan is "impressive as the cool and confident cop. Abraham stalks though his role with ease. Deol and Sen only need to look beautiful in their limited presence in this sweat 'n' leather flick".[11] Chitra Mahesh from The Hindu said that the film takes the genre of The Fast and the Furious, Ocean's Eleven and similar others, and wrote that "the actions scenes are extremely well done with zooms and pacy editing, while the music is more raucous than melodious". Appreciating the acting, she said, "Chopra is delightful. Bachchan as Jai does his role with style and grit and is proving to be a wonderful actor. Abraham looks terrific and suits the role of the mean-but-savvy thief".[12]
Time Out critic stated: "Shamelessly ripping off plot ideas and entire sequences from Tango & Cash, Lethal Weapon, The Fast and Furious, Ocean's Eleven and Thelma and Louise, this energetic and surprisingly enjoyable nonsense zooms along at full-throttle, braking only for the peppy songs".[13] Rating 3 out of 5, David Parkinson from Radio Times called it a "slick and stylish Indian drama" and wrote: "Style unashamedly triumphs over substance throughout, but the story rattles along and the set pieces are very slickly staged ... this rousing adventure owes as much to Hollywood and Hong Kong as it does to the crime classics of the 1970s".[14] Omar Ahmed from Empire rated 2 in 5 and said that "Clearly regarding itself as Bollywood's answer to The Fast and The Furious, director Gadhvi's latest marks a departure for studio Yash Raj Films. Sadly, it's not the good kind of departure, with the studio abandoning its usually innovative approach and replacing it with an anxious attempt to blind its audience with style ... Another film that falls into the classic trap of trying to beat Hollywood at its own game instead of focusing on its primary strength – cultural uniqueness", but opined that the actors' performances are remarkable.[15]
Taran Adarsh of IndiaFM rated 1.5 out of 5, and said: "Dhoom has gloss, but no substance. Dhoom has style, but no script. Dhoom has thrills in abundance, but the outcome is least exciting. In short, Dhoom ranks amongst YRF's weakest films" and that the film relies "too heavily on thrills", the bike chase in the story are "far more interesting than the story itself. In fact, all you remember at the end of the show are some expertly-executed chases [Allan Amin], not the drama"; the film also seems to take inspirations from The Fast and The Furious and Biker Boyz.[16] Calling Dhoom a "testosterone-overdose", Anupama Chopra of India Today wrote that "Dhoom is adolescent heaven-fast bikes, hot babes, tons of kick-ass action with no-strings-attached ... But there are lots of trendy split screenshots of shiny bikes burning rubber and fast-paced stunts involving boats and trucks. Not to mention sexy songs with water hoses. Acting isn't the point here either. The performances are pure posture."[17]
Pritam composed the songs for Dhoom while Salim–Sulaiman composed the original score. The title track "Dhoom Dhoom" was released in a remixed version song by the Thai-American singer Tata Young. The song and its music video featuring Tata Young proved to be a major hit in India during 2004 and 2005. The original song was sung by Sunidhi Chauhan. Other tracks on the soundtrack included "Dilbara", "Dilbar Shikdum", and "Salaame Salaame", sung by singers like KK, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Shaan and Kunal Ganjawala. The lyrics were penned by Sameer. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 22,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's third highest-selling.[18]
All lyrics are written by Sameer; all music is composed by Pritam
