Dhoom 3 is the third instalment in the film franchise, first started in 2004 and then 2006. When the first movie released nine years ago, no one expected the film to make such an indelible impact that sequels had to follow. It is now 2013 and seven years since the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Dhoom 2 set the Indian box office ablaze. Initially delayed for a number of reasons including date issues for some of its lead cast, the film finally opened around the world to record advance bookings in India and some 4500 screens in that country alone. Dhoom 3 is also Bollywood’s first film to be released in the IMAX format. For this reason, there have been a deluge of stories doing the rounds of inflated ticket prices, with some theatres charging between Rs 400-Rs 600 (R61-R92) for the morning shows; and Rs 700-Rs 900 (R107-R138) for the evening screenings. But the film’s lead star, Aamir Khan rubbished such reports saying Imax centres would be charging their “regular prices”; and that ticket rates had “not been hiked”. Expectations for this film are so high that trade analyst Amod Mehra speculated that Dhoom 3 would surpass the Rs 100-crore mark within three days and Rs 200-crores within seven days. Apart from the advance bookings, the Dhoom 3 teaser registered six million views in six days. Industry insiders too ran scared, with producer Ekta Kapoor moving her Farhan Akthar-Vidya Balan starrer Shaadi Ke Side Effects to early next year, a strategic move to avoid the Dhoom 3 Goliath on December 20.
Dhoom 3 is directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the man who penned the first two films. Acharya also wrote this third instalment. Aamir Khan plays the roles of twin brothers Saahir and Samar, the sons of a once-famous magician and owner of the Great Indian Circus. When Saahir and Samar’s dad (Jackie Shroff) decides to bow to the pressures of keeping his theatre financially afloat, the pair of them devise a plan to seek revenge on the very same man that drove their dad to suicide. In a bid to stop the so-called clown thief, the American police seek the help of India’s famous Inspector Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and his clumsy sidekick Ali (Uday Chopra). The story is straight-forward with not many surprises and unexpected twists and turns.
Aamir Khan is in top form in Dhoom 3. He takes on both the role of Saahir and Samar with perfection. Incidentally, in a recent interview, Aamir said that the movie’s script convinced him to do Dhoom 3. For him, films are all about stories, emotions and characters. Dhoom 3 – according to Aamir – conveys all of these. Such was the Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak actor’s dedication to this project that the guy donned a bowler hat for three months to get a feel for the prop; and he even went down to Australia to master the art of tap dancing for the film. But before the film’s release, word was that producer Aditya Chopra declined to show Aamir the rough rushes of the film fearing the perfectionist would recommend changes. The other cast members are merely there to lend support to both of Aamir’s characters. While Uday Chopra brings in some light comic relief, Abhishek Bachchan’s character is pretty serious and not very exciting. Katrina Kaif does not have much to do in Dhoom 3 except to look smoking hot on-screen. She brings in the glamour quotient. It can be said that she is the hottest Dhoom-girl yet! Kudos to the fashion designers and stylists for enhancing the beauty to pure perfection on-screen. Pritam’s music is beautifully treated on screen. Malang is also a surreal treat for audiences and Kamli has nothing but pure oomph in motion. These tracks are in a class of their own. The classic Dhoom-must have Dhoom Machale Dhoom is stunningly choreographed.
The movie is shot extensively in Chicago. You would recall that some famous Hollywood blockbusters were shot here including Transformers 3 and The Dark Knight. The producers – it would seem – thought that Chicago would be the perfect backdrop for Dhoom 3’s action-filled scenes and car chases. If you watch closely, you will spot shots of Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel, Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) and Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Lower Wacker Drive and Lake Shore Drive; and the outside of the Tribune building. According to the Illinois Film Office, the movie’s three-month shoot contributed some US$9.5 million to the local economy. The action scenes on the streets of Chicago are the highlight of the film. It is evident lots of work, dedication and precision timing went into the final takes.
Dhoom 3 is undoubtedly one of the better films of 2013. It is a movie that will be enjoyed by all Bollywood fans, especially those youngsters who enjoy the high speed car-chases and adrenaline-inducing action scenes we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in Hollywood films. The Bollywood Tempest gives this heart-racing flick a deserving 9/10.We highly recommend Dhoom 3 this festive season.
Shevaal Singh
Trailer
Here is a closer look at the on-screen chemistry between Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif
