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| Dhoom 2 | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sanjay Gadhvi |
| Written by | Vijay Krishna Acharya |
| Story by | Aditya Chopra |
| Produced by | Aditya Chopra |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Rameshwar S. Bhagat |
| Music by | Original Songs: Pritam Background Score: Salim–Sulaiman |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Yash Raj Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 152 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹350 million[2] |
| Box office | est.₹1.62 billion[3] |
Dhoom 2 (transl.Blast 2), also known asDhoom 2: Back in Action, is a 2006 IndianHindi-languageaction thriller film directed bySanjay Gadhvi and produced byAditya Chopra underYash Raj Films. Written byVijay Krishna Acharya from a story by Chopra, it serves as a sequel toDhoom (2004) and the second installment in theDhoomfranchise. The film starsHrithik Roshan,Abhishek Bachchan,Aishwarya Rai,Bipasha Basu, andUday Chopra. The narrative follows a series of high-profile heists carried out by the elusive thief Aryan (Roshan), and the attempts by police officers Jai Dixit (Bachchan) and Ali (Chopra) to apprehend him, culminating in acat-and-mouse chase that spans multiple continents.[4][5]
Principal photography took place in India,South Africa (Durban), andBrazil (Rio de Janeiro), making it the first major Hindi film to be shot extensively in Brazil. The soundtrack was composed byPritam with lyrics bySameer, and the action choreography was handled byAllan Amin. The film was noted for its stylized visuals, elaborate stunt sequences, and glamorous presentation.
Released theatrically on 24 November 2006,Dhoom 2 received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at its action set-pieces, cinematography, soundtrack, and performances—particularly that of Roshan—though some criticism was aimed at the screenplay and pacing. The film emerged as a major commercial success, grossing over ₹1.514 billion worldwide. It became thehighest grossing Hindi film of 2006 and held the record for thehighest-grossing Hindi film of all time of its release, until it was surpassed byOm Shanti Om (2007). Internationally, it was thesecond highest-grossing Hindi film of the year afterKabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), which also co-starred Bachchan.[4][5]
At the52nd Filmfare Awards,Dhoom 2 received eight nominations, includingBest Film,Best Director (Gadhvi) andBest Actress (Rai), and wonBest Actor (Roshan). The film marked the second collaboration between Roshan and Bachchan afterMain Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003), and the fourth between Bachchan and Rai. It was during the making of the film that Rai and Bachchan began dating; they married the following year.
Following its release, the film generated some controversy whenMumbai police officials expressed concern that its depiction of high-speed motorcycle stunts might encourage reckless driving among youth. Despite this,Dhoom 2 was widely credited with raising the bar for action films in India and redefining the modern Bollywood blockbuster.
A sequel,Dhoom 3, was released on 20 December 2013. In later interviews, Abhishek Bachchan citedDhoom 2 as his favorite entry in the franchise.[6]
In theNamib Desert, an elusive international thief known only as "Mr. A" skydives onto a moving train carryingQueen Elizabeth II. Disguising himself as the Queen, he steals her crown, overpowers the guards, and escapes. In response, ACP Jai Dixit and SI Ali Akbar Khan are assigned to the case, working alongside Shonali Bose, a special officer and Jai's former colleague.
Jai begins analyzing Mr. A's heists and concludes that the next target will be a rare diamond housed in one of two major museums in Mumbai. While guarding one, he discovers a fake artifact and realizes the actual heist is occurring at the second museum. There, Mr. A—disguised first as a statue and then a security guard—successfully steals the diamond.
Mr. A prepares to leave the country but learns from a televised broadcast that someone else is impersonating him and has challenged the authorities to prevent the theft of a priceless warrior sword. At the exhibition, Mr. A confronts the impostor—revealed to be Sunehri, an ambitious thief who idolizes him. Although reluctant at first, he agrees to form a partnership with her after testing her commitment.
The duo relocates toRio de Janeiro to plan their next heist. Jai and Ali, having deduced the pattern in Mr. A's movements, follow them to Brazil and meet Monali, Shonali's twin sister, who develops a romantic relationship with Ali. Meanwhile, Sunehri meets with Jai in secret, revealing her alliance with Mr. A is part of anundercover operation in exchange for immunity. Though initially following orders, she begins to develop genuine feelings for Aryan—Mr. A's real identity.
DuringRio Carnival, Aryan discovers Sunehri's betrayal after seeing her with Jai. That night, he confronts her and later challenges her to a game ofRussian roulette to test her loyalty. The gun is empty, and Sunehri confesses her love for him. The pair proceed with a heist, stealing ancientLydian coins while disguised as street performers and schoolchildren.
As Jai realizes Sunehri has defected, he and Ali pursue the couple. The chase culminates atop awaterfall, where Aryan and Jai engage in a fight. At Aryan's behest, Sunehri shoots him, allowing Jai to believe the threat has been neutralized. Jai releases Sunehri, stating that her punishment is to live alone with the consequences of her choices.
Six months later, Aryan and Sunehri are revealed to be alive and living under new identities inFiji, running a restaurant. Jai visits them and acknowledges their transformation, expressing no intention to arrest them as their criminal personas are now "dead." Aryan gives Jai access to the artifacts he had stolen. Jai departs, warning the couple not to return to crime. The film ends with Aryan and Sunehri leading a reformed life, while Jai and Ali return to India for their next assignment.
Following the commercial success ofDhoom (2004),Yash Raj Films announced a sequel titledDhoom 2 – Back in Action.[8] While the original film was positively received by audiences,[9][10] it drew mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.[11] Seeking to expand the franchise and avoid narrative repetition, producerYash Chopra decided not to continue the storyline of the first film's antagonist, Kabir Sharma (portrayed byJohn Abraham). Instead, a new heist-centered plot was developed with different lead villains and an international setting.
To distinguish the sequel from its predecessor, directorSanjay Gadhvi emphasized a more global aesthetic and reduced reliance on motorcycle-based stunts, which had been a hallmark of the original film.[12] The sequel’s scope was broader, incorporating elaborate action sequences, diverse international locations, and high-end visual effects. Production took approximately 18 months and had an estimated budget of ₹350 million.[2]
Hrithik Roshan andAishwarya Rai were introduced inDhoom 2 as the central antagonists. Rai's character, Sunehri, was described as a "Catwoman"-like figure—stylized, agile, and morally ambiguous.[13] She described the role as a departure from her previous work, noting it required an entirely different attitude and screen presence.[13] At producerAditya Chopra's request, Rai underwent a physical transformation to align with the role's requirements, having gained weight for her prior filmBride and Prejudice (2004).[14] Yash Chopra stated that Rai, likeEsha Deol in the first installment, was given a detailed character brief and preparation plan to achieve the necessary look and persona.[13]
Hrithik Roshan, who portrayed the elusive thief Aryan (Mr. A), also underwent physical changes for the role, losing five kilograms at Chopra's request to achieve a leaner appearance suited to the character's agility and stunt-heavy demands.[15]
With the exception ofJohn Abraham and Esha Deol, the primary cast fromDhoom—Abhishek Bachchan,Uday Chopra, andRimi Sen—returned to reprise their respective roles.
Principal photography forDhoom 2 took place across multiple locations, includingMumbai (India),Namibia,Durban (South Africa), andRio de Janeiro (Brazil).[16][17] It became the first major Hindi film to be shot in Brazil.[14] The production focused heavily on stylized action sequences that required advanced stunt choreography and digital effects. WhileDhoom was noted for its motorcycle stunts,Dhoom 2 featured a more varied set of action elements, includingroller-blading,sand boarding, andsnow-boarding.[12]
The film made extensive use of visual effects andgreen screen technology. Scenes involving stunts on a train in theNamib Desert were filmed in-studio using green screen; directorSanjay Gadhvi later filmed the desert landscape separately to integrate withHrithik Roshan’s performances.[14]Stunt doubles were used in several sequences, with their faces digitally replaced in post-production to match the lead actors.
Production was briefly delayed due to a flood that damaged sets at Yash Raj Studios.[14] Despite this, visual effects remained central to the film's execution. Tata Elxsi was engaged for pre-visualization and digital effects, including bullet trajectories, animated gadgets, and Roshan’s mechanical arm.[18] Certain action scenes, such asAbhishek Bachchan's exit from a lake on a jet ski, were digitally altered to meet Gadhvi’s visual expectations.[19]
Gadhvi spoke about the emphasis on planning andpre-visualization during production:
We've done animation andpre-visualization for all the action sequences inDhoom 2 and that is very important in terms of planning, cost effectiveness and also it's a new way of preparing for the shoot and the film especially which is as set on such a large canvas such asDhoom 2. InDhoom, we had all the action sequences broken down and written. In this movie, we had very big action sequences, so we had all the scenesstoryboarded, and they would be checked, double checked and triple checked by myself, Alan Amin, and Adi, and we would then rectify if needed, and that would be our level of planning.[19]
The soundtrack ofDhoom 2 was composed byPritam, with lyrics bySameer. The track "Dhoom Again" features English-language lyrics written by Asif Ali Beg, making it one of the few songs in the album primarily in English. The remaining tracks predominantly feature Hindi lyrics with occasional English phrases.[20]
Upon release, the soundtrack received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its energy and contemporary production, while others criticized its lack of lyrical depth. However, the music was well received by audiences and became a commercial success. According toBox Office India, it was the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack of 2006.[21]
Dhoom 2 was released theatrically on 24 November 2006 and received the widest release in Indian cinema at the time, with over 1,800 prints, including approximately 250 digital copies.[2] The high anticipation surrounding the film led to elevated ticket prices in several markets. The film’s release was accompanied by strong audience turnout and extensive media coverage.
Shortly after the film’s release,Mumbai’spolice commissioner raised concerns about the depiction of high-speed stunts and reckless motorcycle riding in the film. Authorities feared the scenes could influence young viewers and lead to an increase in traffic violations androad accidents.[22] As a result, the commissioner appealed for certain sequences to be censored, although no formal action was taken.[23]
While the heists depicted in the film were fictional and not inspired by real-life crimes—unlike those inDhoom (2004)—Dhoom 2 allegedly influenced a robbery in which a man was mugged by his nephew, who emulatedHrithik Roshan’s attire from the film.[24] In a separate instance, actressAishwarya Rai received legal notices from some viewers objecting to a kissing scene with Roshan, marking one of the few controversies associated with the film’s content.[25]
Theteaser trailer forDhoom 2 premiered alongside the theatrical release ofKabhi Alvida Naa Kehna on 11 August 2006.[26] The film was promoted through multiple brandtie-ins.Coca-Cola launched a campaign titled “Coke Uthale,Dhoom Machale” in association with the film.[2] Clothing brandPepe Jeans collaborated with the film to release a range of themed apparel including T-shirts, jeans, caps, and accessories.[27] Chetan Shah, country head of Pepe Jeans London, described the film’s cast and style as aligning with the brand’s “young, cool, trendy” image.[27]
The film also inspired two video game adaptations developed by FXLabs:Dhoom 2 (2007) andDhoom 2.5 (2008).[28][29]
While promoting the film, Hrithik Roshan publicly retracted earlier remarks he had made about co-star Aishwarya Rai, admitting he had underestimated her acting abilities. Their performance inDhoom 2 led to further collaborations inJodhaa Akbar (2008) andGuzaarish (2010), establishing them as a popular on-screen pairing in contemporaryHindi cinema.[30]
Dhoom 2 opened to record-breaking collections across India and overseas. In its opening week, the film grossed ₹66 million in Mumbai and ₹179 million nationwide, delivering a distributor profit of ₹94 million in Mumbai alone.[31][32]Box Office India classified the film as a "blockbuster," with a net domestic collection of ₹803 million and a worldwide gross of approximately ₹1.5 billion against a budget of ₹350 million.[33][34][35][2] At the time of its release, it became thehighest-grossing Hindi film of all time and remains among the top-grossing films in India (unadjusted for inflation).[36]
In North America,Dhoom 2 debuted in 63 theatres and grossed US$979,000 over its three-day opening weekend (US$1.3 million over four days), ranking seventeenth at the American box office and achieving the third-largest opening for aBollywood film in the region at the time.[37] It went on to earn a total of US$2.64 million in the United States and approximately US$8.75 million across overseas markets, including strong performances in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand.[37][35][32]
At the UK box office, it ranked sixth among international films during its opening weekend, with an average per-screen gross of £8,151.[38] In Australia, the film debuted with approximately A$176,462,[39][40] while in New Zealand, it grossed NZ$51,453 on five screens..[39][41] In Dubai,Dhoom 2 recorded the highest first-day opening for a Bollywood release at the time.[5]
Dhoom 2 received generally positive reviews from both Indian and international critics. Praise was directed at the film's action sequences, styling, soundtrack, and performances—particularly that of Hrithik Roshan—though the screenplay and narrative depth received some criticism.
Taran Adarsh ofBollywood Hungama awarded the film 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a winner all the way" and predicted it would be among the biggest hits forYash Raj Films.[42] Rajesh Karkera ofRediff.com gave the film 3.5 stars, describing it as a "complete roller-coaster ride," while acknowledging minor narrative flaws.[43]Rajeev Masand ofCNN-IBN rated it 3 stars and remarked that Roshan was "the heart and soul of the film," making it superior to its predecessor.[44]
On thereview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,Dhoom 2 holds a 93% approval rating based on 14 reviews, with an average score of 7/10.[45]
InVariety, the film was described as being "loaded with enough attitude, Bollywood star-power and buff bodies to stop a speeding train," affirming Yash Raj Films' range beyond romantic dramas.[46] Rachel Saltz ofThe New York Times praised its "giddy, slick" style and noted that despite narrative limitations, "old-fashioned star power" elevated the film.[47] Ethan Alter ofFilm Journal International called it "disposable entertainment," but acknowledged its production quality and star appeal.[48]L.A. Weekly's David Chute described it as "a movie meal as satisfying as this one [that] can make you feel that nothing else matters."[45]
Jaspreet Pandohar of theBBC found the plot thin but credited Roshan's charisma and his chemistry with Aishwarya Rai for keeping the film engaging.[49] BBC Shropshire's Manish Gajjar remarked that with action sequences on par with Hollywood standards,Dhoom 2 was "a winner all the way at the box office."[50]
| Award | Date of the ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Awards | 6 January 2007 | Best Actor | Hrithik Roshan | Nominated | [51] |
| Best Actress | Aishwarya Rai | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedian | Uday Chopra | Nominated | |||
| Jodi No. 1 | Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan | Nominated | |||
| Best Choreography | Shiamak Davar(for "Dhoom Again") | Won | |||
| Best Action | Allan Amin | Nominated | |||
| Best Special Effects | Tata Elxsi | Nominated | |||
| Filmfare Awards | 17 February 2007 | Best Film | Dhoom 2 | Nominated | [52] |
| Best Director | Sanjay Gadhvi | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Hrithik Roshan | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Aishwarya Rai | Nominated | |||
| Best Music Director | Pritam | Nominated | |||
| Best Background Score | Salim–Sulaiman | Nominated | |||
| Best Special Effects | Tata Elxsi | Nominated | |||
| Best Action | Allan Amin | Nominated | |||
| Stardust Awards | 18 February 2007 | Actor of the Year – Male | Hrithik Roshan | Nominated | [53] |
| Actor of the Year – Female | Aishwarya Rai | Won | |||
| Hottest Young Filmmaker | Sanjay Gadhvi | Won | |||
| Zee Cine Awards | 1 April 2007 | Best Actor – Male | Hrithik Roshan | Nominated | [54] |
| Best Choreography | Shiamak Davar(for "Dhoom Again") | Nominated | |||
| Best Action | Allan Amin | Nominated | |||
| Bollywood Movie Awards | 26 May 2007 | Best Actor | Hrithik Roshan | Won | [55] |
| Best Actress | Aishwarya Rai | Nominated | |||
| Best Comic Actor | Uday Chopra | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Nirav Shah and Vikas Sivaraman | Won | |||
| IIFA Awards | 7–9 June 2007 | Best Film | Dhoom 2 | Nominated | [56] |
| Best Actress | Aishwarya Rai | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Bipasha Basu | Nominated | |||
| Best Performance in a Comic Role | Uday Chopra | Nominated | |||
| Best Performance in a Negative Role | Hrithik Roshan | Nominated | |||
| Most Glamorous Star | Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Pritam | Nominated | |||
| Best Lyricist | Sameer(for "Krazy Kiya Re") | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Sunidhi Chauhan(for "Krazy Kiya Re") | Nominated | |||
| Best Story | Aditya Chopra | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Vijay Krishna Acharya | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Anaita Shroff Adajania | Won | |||
| Best Makeup | G. A. James | Won | |||
| MTV India Style Awards | 26 October 2007 | Most Stylish Film | Dhoom 2 | Won | [57] |
| Most Stylish Actor – Male | Hrithik Roshan | Won | |||
| Most Stylish Actor – Female | Aishwarya Rai | Won | |||
| Most Stylish New Look | Hrithik Roshan | Won | |||
| Most Stylish Body | Won | ||||
| Most Stylish Couple | Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan | Won | |||
| Most Stylish Song in A Film | Shiamak Davar(for "Dhoom Again") | Won | |||
| Most Stylish Bollywood Designer | Anaita Shroff Adajania | Won |
Dhoom 2 was released onDVD in February 2007 byYash Raj Films. The international edition was issued as a two-disc set for allregions, while a single-disc version was made available for Region 1 markets, including North America.[58][59] The DVD included special features such as behind-the-scenes footage, music videos, and cast interviews. The film was later released onBlu-ray in December 2009, featuring high-definition visuals and remastered audio.[60]
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