Film

Dhoom

Name: Dhoom
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2004
Cast: John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Esha Deol, Uday Chopra, Rimi Sen

A stylish heist thriller about a gang of motorcycle thieves terrorizing Mumbai, and the cop determined to stop them. Dhoom launched a franchise on pure adrenaline: propulsive action sequences, charismatic leads, and a visual swagger that made it feel like Bollywood's answer to Ocean's Eleven. It's glossy, kinetic, and made for fun.

TMDb rating

3.1

If you liked this

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol2011

Spectacular set pieces across exotic locations, a charming lead, and the same high-octane energy. Jai's determined-cop-versus-clever-thief dynamic mirrors Ethan Hunt's cat-and-mouse with each villain, but with more humour and less grimness.

But The plot is thinner than you'd expect from a two-hour film, and if you want emotional depth, this isn't the place to find it.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol poster

Fast Five2011

A heist film built on character chemistry, impossible action, and genuine wit. Like Dhoom, it knows its own absurdity and rides it hard—the fun comes from watching ridiculously attractive people pull off ridiculous plans.

But By this point the franchise was already stretching physics beyond reason. If you need realism, you'll spend the whole film sighing.

Baby Driver2017

Kinetic action choreographed to music, a young getaway driver, stylish criminals, and a soundtrack that becomes a character itself. The visual language—cutting and pacing—owes a debt to Bollywood's maximalism.

But It's far more about mood and visual texture than plot momentum. Some find the constant needle-drops pretentious rather than cool.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Dhoom

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Police Story1985

Both films understand that action is most fun when the hero and villain have genuine respect for each other's skill, and both use physical comedy as a weapon.

Jackie Chan doing what he does best—inventing action cinema through stunt work, humour, and an infectious sense of play. The cop-versus-criminal framework is the same, but Chan's willingness to destroy himself for a laugh gives it a different heartbeat entirely.

But The plot is paper-thin and the dubbing (in most English versions) can be jarring. The 80s action style feels choppy if you're used to modern cutting.

Singham2011

Another Indian cop thriller that inherited Dhoom's DNA—mass-market action, a righteous hero, escalating set pieces. Ajay Devgn's charisma carries it, and the stunts are absurdly fun.

But It's less clever than Dhoom and relies heavily on dated attitudes. The pacing is also messier.

The Italian Job2003

A heist film with charm, a team of specialists each playing their role, Mini Coopers instead of bikes, and enough wit to make you forget you're watching a remake. It's lighter than it should be, and that's the point.

But The plot is familiar even if the execution is fun, and the characters are mostly clichés played well rather than truly written.

Ocean's Eleven2001

The template that made heist films cool again: a clever team, glamorous locations, and a script where everyone sounds like they're having the time of their lives. That same infectious energy runs through Dhoom.

But It's been imitated so many times it can feel dated now, and the actual heist is less complex than the film wants you to think.

Ek Tha Tiger2012

Another Bollywood action film with international scope, a spy-thriller edge, and Salman Khan's charisma at maximum. The action is gleefully over-the-top and the romance is earnest in a way that somehow works.

But The plot contrivances are severe, and if you're watching for coherence, you'll lose patience quickly.

Jagga Jasoos2017

A Bollywood adventure film that leans into chaos and colour—a treasure hunt across continents with a playful script and genuine affection for its characters. It shares Dhoom's love of movement and spectacle.

But It's wildly uneven. The tone swings unpredictably and the second half loses focus entirely.

Death Race2008

A stylish thriller with betrayals, international settings, and enough twists to keep you guessing. It has Dhoom's swagger and visual flair, though more plot-heavy and less character-driven.

But The script is convoluted enough to become frustrating, and the motivation for the twists is sometimes unconvincing.

Rififi1955

Dhoom is a direct descendant: the same structure, DNA, and moral ambiguity about who you're rooting for. Seeing the template in its purest form is revelatory.

A French heist film that invented the template Dhoom is following—a crime spree, a talented gang, a cop on their trail. It's in black and white, mostly dialogue-free, and hypnotic. The robbery sequence has no music or dialogue, just pure visual storytelling.

But It's 70 years old and moves at a completely different pace. If you need constant action and music, this will feel glacial.

A Prophet2009

Both explore the unspoken code between criminal and cop, and ask whether we're meant to sympathize with the outsider who plays by their own rules better than anyone else.

A French prison thriller about a young man rising through criminal hierarchy. It's tense, intelligent, and builds to a climax of genuine consequence. The cinematography is stunning and the performance is magnetic—nothing like Dhoom's surface, but the same story about power and respect.

But It's bleak and violent in ways Dhoom isn't—designed to disturb, not entertain. The pacing is deliberate and it demands attention.