Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Uday Chopra
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood earned praise of Abhishek Bachchan. Following his rise to popularity during the 2000’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic police officers, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Dhoom” definitely stands out as his most entertaining film. Released in 2004, Sanjay Gadhvi’s movie offered a powerful portrait of bike robber criminals. Packed with bold action sequences, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a strong Bollywood action thriller. At centre of it all is a strong performance by Abhishek Bachchan, who embodies a cop facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Dhoom” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood action movies made in the 2000’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. A captivating Bollywood action classic, there are several strong reasons why “Dhoom” is worth watching.
“Dhoom” tells the story of a cop that seeks to catch bike robber criminals which loom. Abhishek Bachchan portrays ACP Jai Dixit, a dedicated cop with strong determination to resolve crimes in his nation. Dixit always excels at apprehending criminals in his town without any problems. However, Jai’s life is forever changes when he pursues a gang of bank rider criminals that cause danger. With assistance from the comical bike mechanic Ali (Uday Chopra), Jai strives to catch bike riders in India. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Jai wonders whether it’s possible to apprehend bike riders which are under intense pressure.
Sanjay Gadhvi is fascinated with the themes of friendship. An excellent Indian filmmaker, Gadhvi has often made engaging Bollywood movies about friends in danger. His comical film “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi” offered a portrait of friends which seek to organize weddings. With “Dhoom”, however, Gadhvi directed his first action thriller. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of bank robber criminals facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Gadhvi captures a cop on a journey to catch bike rider criminals in his city. Recalling Rob Cohen’s “The Fast and the Furious”, Gadhvi uses handheld camera to follow bike riders that are fast and furious. For instance, the handheld camera elevates the opening bike rider gang scene. During this intense scene, Kabir and his gang pull off an intricate heist through bike riding. Using handheld camera, Gadhvi creates a portrait of criminals which is engaging. Through breathtaking visuals, Gadhvi captures tensions that bike robbers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dhoom” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood action movies you will see. Gadhvi effectively uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Dhoom Machale song. During this engaging song, Ali is overcome with happiness as he witnesses Sheena perform a concert. Using cross-cutting, Gadhvi creates songs which are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that bike riders bear. Through strong production, Gadhvi captures the lives of bold cops that experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dhoom” is a Bollywood action movie that’s engaging. The film is well-written, and uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of cops that face tension. Emulating Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible”, Gadhvi uses monologues to capture cops which are on a mission that’s impossible. For instance, the monologues enhance the cop confrontation scene. During this intense scene, Jai has an intense phone call conversation with Kabir about his crime. Using monologues, Gadhvi crafts a portrait of cops that audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are complex techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood movies about broken marriages. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Gadhvi captives bike robber criminals which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Abhishek Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Jai Dixit. Bachchan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Dhoom”, however, he took on his first ever action role. It isn’t easy to portray a serious cop seeking to solve crimes in his city, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most iconic role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a cop that faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bachchan, the supporting cast is superb and also deserving of appreciation. John Abraham is amazing, capturing the fierce personality of a bike robber committing a crime in his city. Uday Chopra is incredible, bringing charisma to a bike mechanic that seeks to assist police catching criminals in India. Lastly, Esha Deol merits appreciation. As a fierce criminal, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Dhoom” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing bike rider criminals which loom. Unlike most Bollywood action films from the early 2000’s, it’s one of those movies that has aged beautifully. It tackles strong themes such as ambition, friendship and revenge that would resonate amongst everyone. Viewers don’t need to be entirely familiar with Indian culture to appreciate the movie. Therefore, “Dhoom” is one of those rare Bollywood action movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Abhishek Bachchan will absolutely admire “Dhoom” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold Bollywood action blockbuster, it celebrates a beloved Indian actor.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a classic Bollywood action movie about cops seeking to arrest bike riders in a doomed city, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy in the Indian film industry through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 