Dhoom 2

About the film

Dhoom 2 (transl. Blast 2), also known as Dhoom 2: Back in Action, is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Sanjay Gadhvi and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. Written by Vijay Krishna Acharya from a story by Chopra, it serves as a sequel to Dhoom (2004) and the second installment in the Dhoom franchise. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu, and Uday 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 (Abishek Bachchan) and Ali (Uday Chopra)to apprehend him, culminating in a cat-and-mouse chase that spans multiple continents.

Principal photography took place in India, South Africa (Durban), and Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), making it the first major Hindi film to be shot extensively in Brazil. The soundtrack was composed by Pritam with lyrics by Sameer, and the action choreography was handled by Allan Amin. The film was noted for its stylized visuals, elaborate stunt sequences, and glamorous presentation.

Plot

In the Namib Desert, an elusive international thief known only as "Mr. A" skydives onto a moving train carrying Queen 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 cleaning staff—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.

Production

Following the commercial success of Dhoom (2004), Yash Raj Films announced a sequel titled Dhoom 2 – Back in Action. While the original film was positively received by audiences, it drew mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Seeking to expand the franchise and avoid narrative repetition, producer Yash Chopra decided not to continue the storyline of the first film's antagonist, Kabir Sharma (portrayed by John Abraham). Instead, a new heist-centered plot was developed with different lead villains and an international setting.

To distinguish the sequel from its predecessor, director Sanjay Gadhvi emphasized a more global aesthetic and reduced reliance on motorcycle-based stunts, which had been a hallmark of the original film. 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.

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai were introduced in Dhoom 2 as the central antagonists. Rai's character, Sunehri, was described as a "Catwoman"-like figure—stylized, agile, and morally ambiguous. She described the role as a departure from her previous work, noting it required an entirely different attitude and screen presence. At producer Aditya Chopra's request, Rai underwent a physical transformation to align with the role's requirements, having gained weight for her prior film Bride and Prejudice (2004). Yash Chopra stated that Rai, like Esha Deol in the first installment, was given a detailed character brief and preparation plan to achieve the necessary look and persona.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Dhoom 2 was composed by Pritam, with lyrics by Sameer. 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.

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 to Box Office India, it was the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack of 2006.

Release

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. 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’s police 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 and road accidents. As a result, the commissioner appealed for certain sequences to be censored, although no formal action was taken.

Key details