Dhoom 3 is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film, the third instalment in the Dhoom franchise produced by Yash Raj Films. It was written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, who had earlier written the first two films in the series. The film stars Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Uday Chopra and Jackie Shroff. Released on 20 December 2013, it became one of the highest-grossing Indian films at the time of its release.
| Title | Dhoom 3 |
|---|---|
| Director | Vijay Krishna Acharya |
| Producer | Aditya Chopra |
| Production company | Yash Raj Films |
| Writer | Vijay Krishna Acharya |
| Music | Pritam (songs); Julius Packiam (background score) |
| Lyrics | Sameer Anjaan, Kausar Munir, Amitabh Bhattacharya |
| Cinematography | Sudeep Chatterjee |
| Editor | Ritesh Soni |
| Release date | 20 December 2013 |
| Language | Hindi (also dubbed in Tamil and Telugu) |
| Series | Third in the Dhoom franchise |
The film is set primarily in Chicago, United States, and follows a circus performer who carries out a series of bank robberies targeting the Western Bank of Chicago, which had earlier driven his father to ruin. Jai Dixit and Ali, the police officers from the previous instalments, are brought in to assist the Chicago police. The narrative incorporates a twist involving identical twins, central to both the heists and the climax.
Dhoom 3 was the first film in the franchise not directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, who had directed Dhoom (2004) and Dhoom 2 (2006). Vijay Krishna Acharya, who had written the previous films, took over as director. Principal photography took place largely in Chicago, with additional filming in Mumbai. The motorcycle used in the film, a heavily modified machine designed for the chase sequences, was developed for stunts that included on-water transformation effects.
The soundtrack was composed by Pritam and released by YRF Music. Notable tracks include "Malang", "Kamli", "Dhoom Machale Dhoom" (rendered by Aditi Singh Sharma) and "Tu Hi Junoon". The background score was composed by Julius Packiam.
Dhoom 3 was released theatrically on 20 December 2013 in standard, IMAX and other large-format presentations, becoming the first Indian film to be released in the IMAX format. It opened to record-breaking box office numbers in India and was the highest-grossing Indian film at the time of its release, a record subsequently surpassed. Critical reception was mixed; reviewers generally praised the action set-pieces, production design and Aamir Khan's performance, while criticism was directed at the screenplay and pacing.
The film received nominations at major Indian film award ceremonies including Filmfare and the IIFA Awards, with technical awards recognising its action choreography, cinematography and visual effects.
Dhoom 3 marked a commercial high point for the Dhoom franchise and for Yash Raj Films, demonstrating the viability of large-budget action spectacles in Hindi cinema and the strength of franchise filmmaking in India. Its IMAX release expanded format options for Hindi films, and its overseas earnings reinforced the global market for major Bollywood productions.