10 reasons why Dhoom:2 is the best in the trilogy

1. It’s YRF’s first and only franchise series

One of India’s top production houses, Yash Raj Films, is known for backing fresh young talent and its romantic and contemporary stories that they showcase on film. However, unlike other studios, they haven’t resorted to only churning out sequels. Dhoom:2 was the first sequel YRF produced; it was followed up in 2013 with Dhoom:3, another blockbuster hit. They still remain the only sequels the studio has produced.

2. The casting of Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Bipasha Basu

Infusing the sequel with fresh blood, writer and producer Aditya Chopra and dialogue writer Vijay Krishna Acharya brought forward new characters to go up against police partners Jay Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ali (Uday Chopra). Actress Bipasha Basu was roped in as assistant commissioner Shonali Bose and her polar opposite twin, Monali. But the real casting coup was Hrithik Roshan as Mr A aka Aryan — a master burglar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Sunheri, a petty thief whose loyalties aren’t always evident. The new actors replaced John Abraham’s villain and Esha Deol, as Ali’s love interest.

3. The Hrithik-Aishwarya chemistry

Speaking of Roshan and Aishwarya, their first time pairing was one of the main reasons many tuned into the film. Aishwarya, who was engaged to Abhishek at the time and due to marry him soon, was under immense scrutiny for her role. The much-hyped kiss between the two was a talking point in many news channels at the time. Both Roshan and Aishwarya were asked to lose weight and shape up for the film. The results are there to see on the screen as both never looked better as they did for the film.

4. The Abhishek-Uday jodi

The one couple that has made through every iteration of the film is Jai Dixit and his partner Ali. The characters have stamped themselves on their careers, especially Uday's. After the original released in 2004, Uday has only acted in five films, two were a part of the Dhoom series. For Abhishek, Dhoom (2004) arrived at a point in his career where he was finally being noticed for his talent. Yuva (2004) got him critical recognition, while Dhoom (2004) got him the box-office acclaim. Uday and Abhishek are also childhood friends and the two played the bickering partners who’ve always got each other’s back well.

5. Hrithik won his third Filmfare best actor trophy for Dhoom:2

That Hrithik turns out his best for the films directed by his father Rakesh Roshan is a given. Earlier that year, he starred in another sequel, Krrish, which became a hit with young children, giving them a desi superhero to cheer for. Hrithik won over hearts in Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and here in Dhoom:2, he was a calculating master thief whose ability to change disguises like a chameleon served him well during his heists.

6. The never-seen-before shooting locations

Besides Yash Raj Studios, Dhoom:2 was shot in Namibia, South Africa and became one of the first Hindi films to shoot in Brazil. The film showed off Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous carnival in the film and made the most of its colourful locales in the South American nation by setting most of the action in the second half there. The thrilling finale of the film, where Jai and Aryan, have a face-off was filmed at Howick Falls, South Africa, while a thrilling train robbery was set in the barren deserts of Namibia.

7. The stylish outfits by Anaita Shroff Adajania

New additions to the cast were dressed to kill in the sequel — some quite literally. Anaita Shroff Adajania, who was the costume designer on Dhoom (2004), had the challenge of exceeding the original. Both actresses had a bronzed look albeit with skimpy outfits perfect for the sunny beaches of Brazil. Meanwhile, Hrithik was his colourful best while playing a cat-and-mouse game of cops and robbers across seven seas. The film also had a tie-up with a top fashion brand to promote the film.

8. Its chart-busting soundtrack by Pritam

The film’s score became one of the top-selling music soundtracks of the year. To match Dhoom’s inspired soundtrack, Pritam gave hit songs like ‘Dil Laga Na’ and ‘Crazy Kiya Re’ in the sequel. Combined with the picturisation of the songs with the choreography of Vaibhavi Merchant, Pritam’s score did much to raise the popularity of the film amongst youngsters.

9. Its innovative and hair-raising stunts.

From jumping on a train in the middle of a desert to having a trust fall at the Cachoeira da Fumaça in Brazil, action director Allan Amin put the actors right in the middle of the action. The VFX done by Tata Elxsi ensured that the unbelievable was made believable especially when it came to the outlandish robberies.

10. The success of Dhoom:2 opened doors for superstar Aamir to come aboard for Dhoom:3

Dhoom did wonders for John Abraham’s status as an action star, while Dhoom:2 gave Hrithik his third Filmfare trophy for best actor. Actor Aamir Khan had last worked with YRF for Fanaa (2006) co-starring Kajol. The success of the sequel prompted Khan to join the action series in a significant role for the next instalment. Dhoom:3 (2013) was the first film of Khan's to gross more than Rs250 crore domestically.