Bombay is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in the lead roles, with Nassar, Kitty, Tinnu Anand and Akash Khurana in supporting roles. Set against the backdrop of the communal tensions that gripped the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai) following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992, the film tells the story of an inter-religious couple whose family life is disrupted by the riots of 1992–93. Bombay is the second instalment in Mani Ratnam's informally classified "terrorism trilogy", preceded by Roja (1992) and followed by Dil Se.. (1998).
| Title | Bombay |
|---|---|
| Director | Mani Ratnam |
| Writer | Mani Ratnam |
| Producers | Mani Ratnam, S. Sriram, Jhamu Sughand |
| Production companies | Aalayam Productions, S. Sriram Films, Jhamu Sughand Productions |
| Music | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | Rajiv Menon |
| Editing | Suresh Urs |
| Lead cast | Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala |
| Language | Tamil (also dubbed in Hindi and Telugu) |
| Release date | 10 March 1995 |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
The narrative follows Shekhar Mishra, a Hindu journalism student from a coastal village in Tamil Nadu, who falls in love with Shaila Banu, a Muslim girl from the same village. Both their fathers, Narayana Pillai and Basheer, oppose the relationship on religious grounds. The couple elope to Bombay, marry, and have twin sons. Years later, the families are gradually reconciling when the city is engulfed by the communal riots that followed the Babri Masjid demolition of 6 December 1992 and the further violence of January 1993. The film depicts the family's struggle to survive and stay together amidst the violence.
Bombay was made shortly after the success of Roja, with Mani Ratnam continuing his thematic exploration of personal relationships set against political conflict. The film was shot in Tamil Nadu, including locations along the Tamil Nadu coast, and in Mumbai. Cinematographer Rajiv Menon, who had collaborated with Mani Ratnam earlier in advertising work, made his feature debut as director of photography on Bombay. The riot sequences were staged on constructed sets to recreate the chawls and streets of Bombay during the violence.
The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, with Tamil lyrics by Vairamuthu and Hindi lyrics by Mehboob. The album is widely regarded as one of Rahman's most influential works and contributed significantly to the film's popularity. Notable songs include "Kannalanae" (rendered in Hindi as "Kehna Hi Kya"), "Uyire Uyire" ("Tu Hi Re"), "Halla Gulla", "Antha Arabic Kadaloram" and the instrumental "Bombay Theme". The Bombay Theme has subsequently been used in international film and television productions.
Bombay was released on 10 March 1995 in Tamil. The Hindi-dubbed version, distributed by Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL), was released later in 1995. The film was a major commercial success and received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, music, and treatment of a politically sensitive subject. It was screened at several international film festivals.
The subject matter, particularly its depiction of the 1992–93 riots and references to political and religious figures, made Bombay a target of controversy before its release. The Central Board of Film Certification required certain modifications. Screenings and prints of the film were also opposed in some quarters by groups from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Mani Ratnam's residence in Madras was the target of a bomb attack in 1995, which was reported in connection with the film.
Bombay is regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema for its engagement with contemporary communal politics within a mainstream romantic narrative. Together with Roja and Dil Se.., it forms what critics describe as Mani Ratnam's trilogy on personal lives caught in political conflict. The film is also credited with strengthening A. R. Rahman's national and international profile, and with bringing Manisha Koirala and Arvind Swamy wider recognition in South Indian cinema.