Dhoom Movie Review

“Dhoom” was Yash Raj Films’ first action movie since Yash Chopra’s “Vijay” (1988). The story follows a gang of robbers on motorbikes, led by Kabir (John Abraham), who conduct heists in Mumbai. A police officer, Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan), teams up with a motorbike dealer, Ali Akbar Fateh Khan (Uday Chopra), to stop them.

Released on 27 August 2004, “Dhoom” was a commercial success, grossing over ₹290 million (US$3.6 million) in India, making it the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2004. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances, action sequences, and soundtrack but criticized the script and noted its similarities to Hollywood action-thriller heist franchises like “Fast and Furious,” “Death Race,” and “Ocean’s.” Over the years, it has developed a cult following.

At the 50th Filmfare Awards, “Dhoom” received six nominations, including Best Film, Best Villain (Abraham), and Best Music Director (Pritam), winning two awards for Best Editing and Best Sound Design.

The film spawned a successful series, with sequels “Dhoom 2” released on 24 November 2006 and “Dhoom 3” on 20 December 2013.

Story

A gang of robbers on motorbikes, led by Kabir, carry out a series of heists at banks and other public places in Mumbai, creating chaos for the police. Assistant Commissioner of Police Jai Dixit, a determined and no-nonsense officer, is assigned to the case.

To catch the gang, Jai enlists the help of Ali Akbar Fateh Khan, a local bike dealer and racer. They devise a plan to trap the gang, but it fails. Kabir taunts Jai, claiming that he couldn’t catch him even if he was right in front of him. This taunt proves true, and Jai’s failure leads to a temporary split between him and Ali.

Kabir recruits Ali into his gang as a replacement for Rohit, a member who was killed by Jai. During his time with the gang, Ali falls in love with Sheena, another member. The gang plans their final heist in Goa, targeting a casino on New Year’s Eve. They successfully rob the casino, but Kabir soon realizes it was a trap set by Jai. It is revealed that Ali was working with Jai all along, leading to a confrontation.

Kabir escapes back to the gang’s truck, where Ali has taken Sheena hostage. In a confrontation, Kabir beats Ali for his betrayal, but Jai arrives in time to save him. Kabir and the remaining gang members, except for Sheena, flee, and Jai and Ali pursue them. Jai and Ali manage to eliminate the gang, except for Kabir. Cornered, Kabir chooses to take his own life by riding his bike off a cliff rather than be captured.

The film concludes with Jai and Ali engaging in a friendly argument, highlighting their camaraderie.

Production

Aditya Chopra initially envisioned car chases for the film, but Sanjay Gadhvi convinced him to use bikes instead. Gadhvi argued that bikes allowed the riders’ faces to be seen, adding more excitement and personal connection. Additionally, Gadhvi had a passion for bikes from his youth, which influenced his preference.