Dhoom Dhaam movie review: With a title like 'Dhoom Dhaam', you know there's going to be a wedding in the movie. And with a subtitle like 'Dulha. Dulhan. Danger', you know there's going to be a bit of adventure thrown in, too. Valentine's Day release 'Dhoom Dhaam', starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Pratik Gandhi, delivers on both fronts. Here's a film that does not overcomplicate things, despite its comedy of errors-meets-woke love story foundation.
Yami Gautam Dhar is refreshing as girl thug / new bride Koyal Chadha; especially when you consider that we last saw her play an intelligence officer in 'Article 370' and a lawyer for the baddies in 'OMG 2'. As the "very patient", claustrophobic, acrophobic, hydrophobic new groom, Pratik Gandhi offers her just the right foil and complement.
Mushtaq Khan (Welcome, Stree 2), who survived a reported kidnapping experience in December 2024 when he travelled to Meerut for work, is noteworthy in a small supporting role in this film. As is Prateik Babbar as Koyal's ex-lover who doesn't believe in marriage or monogamy.
The film is directed by Rishab Seth, who has previously directed series like Rishta.com and the 2021 film 'Cash'. It's produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Aditya Dhar's company, and written by Aarsh Vora (Mismatched, Love Storiyan, Babbar ka Tabbar), Aditya Dhar and Rishab Seth.
Dhoom Dhaam movie plot
The movie begins with an arranged marriage. Things go awry quickly, as two intruders threaten the newly married couple - Veer and Koyal - on their wedding night. They're looking for Charlie, and they think Veer Poddar (Pratik Gandhi) can lead them to Charlie. Gun shots are fired.
As the intruders start chasing the couple, the couple start running away. There's a car chase. The demur-bride-who-has-lived-by-a-7 pm-curfew-all-her-life pretence is dropped. Koyal Chaddha (Yami Gautam) emerges as a quick-thinking, foul-mouthed, drag-racing party animal with previous romantic partners. And Veer is a vegetarian veterinarian who's a stickler for the rules. As the night unfolds, the couple learn more about each other.
Along the way - even as the couple run for their lives, figure out the truth about Charlie, and start to chase Charlie themselves - indifference and exasperation turn into love and respect ("aap wali feeling"). In this sense, the film is partially a spiritual sequel to other films where a conservative husband has made room for his new wife's desire to live life her way and with the partner of her choice (the second-half of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', for instance).
Early in the film, Veer asks his tormenters: "Kaun Charlie?" It's a question that reverberates through the movie, as Koyal and Veer figure out the mystery while on the run, while also fighting trained fighters and falling in love with each other. It's a whirlwind of an adventure, but to the film writers' credit, they make it simpler by dividing the hunt for Charlie into five neat-ish segments.
Dhoom Dhaam performances
Both Yami Gautam and Pratik Gandhi are good fun to watch in this film. As a love story, Dhoom Dhaam is somewhat cliched in its opposites-attract streak. What saves it is that it doesn't take itself too seriously at any point. Koyal and Veer are also complex characters, negotiating the real world. Koyal's why-girls-lie tirade and Veer's performance at a strip club are examples of how they're far from being carboard cutouts - and like all of us in the real world, they contain multitudes. If you believe in the maxim that we reveal our true selves in moments of crises, then consider that this couple is forced to face the real other very early in their relationship. And they come out all the closer for it.
The supporting cast is superb here. Apart from Mushtaq Khan who plays the watchman and offers the couple-on-the-run an important perspective on the early days of marriage and how to assess partners, there's Garima Yajnik as Koyal's best friend Nandini - their no-holds-barred fight in the women's toilet at a club is memorable, too.
Dhoom Dhaam writing and songs
No Hindi film about a wedding can be complete without songs. Dhoom Dhaam adds a twist here, too. Songs like 'How Are You' by Shor Police, are high tempo, and play over moments of high tension like the car chase. With its foot-tapping beat and lyrics like 'dil lubdub lubdub karda ni', it's a bit reminiscent of 'Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye', but with its own particular context.
The writing of Dhoom Dhaam is clear and concise. The filmmakers seem to have a handle on what they want the tone of the film to be: fun. The result: Even as the couple are initially confused about Charlie and curious about each other, the viewers are never confused. The details reveal themselves piecemeal, but there's enough side drama to keep us engaged while the real story takes its own convoluting path to conclusion. Watch out for the scene with the bride's cousin. Veer bonds with her over their shared alma mater and love of medicine (and discipline), but the effect - well, it's captured in the trailer (see below).
Where to watch Dhoom Dhaam?
Dhoom Dhaam released on Netflix on Valentine's Day 2025. Watch the trailer for the 108-minute film starring Yami Gautam Dhar, Pratik Gandhi, Pavitra Sarkar, Eijaz Khan, Kavin Dave, Mukul Chadda and Bruno the dog as Tushie, among others, here:
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