“Dhoom,” the blockbuster that redefined action movies in Bollywood, turns 20 on August 27. Released in 2004, this film not only boosted the popularity of stylish bikes and long hair but also set new standards for action sequences. To mark this anniversary, we dive into some behind-the-scenes trivia with actor Rimi Sen and action coordinator Allan Amin.
Bollywood’s First Bike Heist
Rimi Sen, who played Sweety J. Dixit, the wife of Abhishek Bachchan’s character Jai, reflects on the film’s groundbreaking concept. “Dhoom was the first Bollywood film to focus on a heist carried out on bikes. Before that, such heists were mostly seen in Hollywood. It was also Yash Raj Films’ first foray into action cinema,” she recalls.
Esha Deol’s Bikini Scene
Esha Deol, who portrayed Sheena Rai, was the sole female member of John Abraham’s heist crew. This was her first time wearing a bikini on-screen, and she sought permission from her mother, the renowned actress Hema Malini. “I did feel the need to get my mom’s approval for the bikini scene. When I asked her, she responded, ‘Isn’t it normal for you to wear a bikini on the beach with friends?’ She trusted that I was in safe hands with the crew,” Esha shared with Bollywood Bubble.
Dhoom’s Most Dangerous Stunt
One of the most perilous stunts in “Dhoom” was the jump of a superbike between moving train coaches. Allan Amin, the action coordinator for both “Dhoom” and “Dhoom 2,” described this challenging scene. “Both Abhishek and John were eager to take on the stunts. But the train jump required expert stuntmen. I had to precisely time the train and the bikers. I found two Australian stunt experts online willing to do the jump. We shot it all for real—no VFX was used,” he explained.
Custom Gear for Close-Ups
The high-speed race sequences also presented unique challenges. Amin was brought on board by director Sanjay Gadhavi, who knew of his biking expertise. “I was tasked with designing the stunts and the look of the film. For the close-ups, I created special equipment so that John and Abhishek could perform stunts like wheelies safely during chase scenes,” Amin said.
Initially, the plan was to use cars for the stunts, but Aditya Chopra, the film’s producer, felt that cars would make it hard to see the actors’ faces. So, bikes were chosen instead. The film featured Suzuki Hayabusa (1300cc), Suzuki GSX-R600 (600cc), and Suzuki Bandit (1200cc). “Aditya Chopra, Sanjay Gadhavi, and I decided on the bikes together,” Amin noted.
Rimi Sen’s Fear of Dogs
Rimi Sen, who had a deep-seated fear of dogs, faced a particular challenge during filming. “The atmosphere on set was quite lively. John had a dark sense of humor, and Abhishek and Uday Chopra were always playing pranks. I vividly remember one scene where I had to hold a puppy. I was terrified because I used to avoid dogs at all costs. It took a lot of convincing to get me to do the scene. Eventually, I managed to get through it because I was committed to the film. Now, I’m more comfortable around dogs,” she shared.
As “Dhoom” celebrates its 20th anniversary, these behind-the-scenes stories remind us of the film’s impact and the unique experiences of those involved in making it. From pioneering bike stunts to overcoming personal fears, the journey of “Dhoom” continues to be a memorable chapter in Bollywood’s history.
