Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu
Running time: 2½ hours
Rating: ****
One of 2006's most anticipated Bollywood releases, Dhoom 2 continues to see fans flocking to cinemas the world over. So, why so much fuss about this movie?
Firstly, it is the sequel to Dhoom, a successful, groundbreaking action flick. Secondly, it has a stellar cast that includes the original cast of Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra and Rimii Sen with newcomers Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu. And last but not least, parts of it were shot in KZN.
So, does the sequel live up to expectations? A resounding YES.
Dhoom 2 opens with Mr A (Roshan) pulling off a heist - he steals the royal crown from under the noses of the Queen and her guards. What's so audacious about the robbery is that he does it on a moving train in the middle of the desert.
The jaw-dropping stunts for this scene set the high-octane tone for the rest of sequel.
Meanwhile, ACP Shonali Bose (Bipasha Basu), the best sharpshooter in the police force, updates fellow officers Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ali (Uday Chopra) on their new assignment - nailing international thief Mr A, who leaves no clues except his calling card. To date, no one knows what Mr A looks like as all his heists have been pulled off with him in disguise.
In a nutshell, Mr A is the perfect thief. But Jai has an ace up his sleeve, Sunehri (Rai), that could help them nail Mr A.
A thief herself, Sunehri gains Mr A's trust and becomes his apprentice. However, when she falls in love with the man she is supposed to bring down, all deals are off. Meanwhile, Jai and his inept deputy Ali are still hot on their tail as the couple plans their first big heist together.
Dhoom 2 belongs to Roshan. He is so brilliant as the suave international thief and master of disguises that viewers can't help but love this new-age, high-tech villain.
Aside from the Krrish hero having a perfect body, his character nuances are spot on and he is awesome in the action scenes. Did I mention his chemistry with co-star Rai is electrifying?
While Bachchan and Chopra bolster the film's appeal with their love-hate friendship, they don't get much scope in the sequel and their characters are not as well-etched as Roshan and Rai's. Basu, in dual roles, delivers a terrific performance. As for Rai, it is refreshing to see her in a new light after Umrao Jaan - she is sexy, playful and magnificent in her role.
From the gorgeous locations, exhilarating action scenes and taut storyline to dexterous execution, Sanjay Gadhvi has delivered another gem. Catch Dhoom 2 - you won't be disappointed.