Dhoom 3 (English: Blast 3) is an upcoming Hindi action thriller film, written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and produced by Aditya Chopra. It will be the third installment of the popular Dhoom series. Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will reprise their roles as Jai Dixit and Ali Khan while Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif form the antagonist duo. Dhoom 3 will be released on 20 December 2013 in regular 2D and IMAX formats. This is the first Bollywood movie to be released in the IMAX format. The film will be released in Dolby Atmos.
Development
On 2 January 2011, the producer of the previous Dhoom films, Aditya Chopra confirmed that the third installment of the Dhoom series would begin principal photography at the end of 2011. Initially, the producers and the lead actor Aamir wanted to release the film on Christmas of 2012, but the plan was scrapped in favor of an early release date in 2013, mainly due to a forecast that a Christmas release would force a rushed post-production schedule, which was unfavorable given the high degree of technicality required for the film.
Casting
Aamir was signed on to essay the lead role and the antagonist, while Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will reprise their roles as police officers.Katrina Kaif was signed as the lead heroine, starring opposite Khan. Khan and Kaif took up special preparations for their roles. Khan reportedly learnt ballet, aerobatics and French technique of parkour, a method of movement focused on negotiating obstacles with speed and efficiency, while Kaif took paragliding training and singing lessons. While Bachchan reportedly lost nine kilos of weight to prepare for his role in the film. Rimi Sen, who played the role of ACP Dixit’s wife in the previous two installments of Dhoom series, was not approached to play her character Sweety. However, in an interview she stated that she wouldn’t have done the role even if she were offered. Dhoom 3 will be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya who is the writer of all three Dhoom films replacing Sanjay Gadhvi who directed the first two franchise of Dhoom.[12] Stunt Director Olliver Keller was signed to direct the stunt scenes.
Filming
Filming was supposed to commence from November 2011, with scenes involving Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra being filmed first, but lead actor Bachchan went on a paternity leave and shooting was eventually postponed to January 2012. In January 2012, the schedule was pushed to June 2012 because of lead actor Aamir’s prior commitments with his TV show Satyamev Jayate and again in June the filming schedule was further postponed for a month because Khan wanted to prepare himself for his role of a gymnast. Additionally, Khan wanted to concentrate on marketing and promotions of his 2012 film Talaash.[21] Without any further delays, filming commenced with Jackie Shroff and the child artist, playing the role of childhood Aamir Khan on 8 June 2012 at Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai. Aamir Khan joined the filming in July and filmed for only 5 days at Yash Raj Studios and, then in Chicago, U.S.A.. Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra flew to the U.S. on 4 August 2012 to complete a 3 month schedule. On arrival to India in December 2012, Bachchan stated that the shooting was complete by fifty percent and would resume again, in Mumbai. In the second week of march, 2013, it was reported that the crew went to Zurich and Ticino of Switzerland for filming. The shooting for the film finally wrapped up on 14 September 2013 at a suburban studio in Mumbai with the presence of Aamir Khan & the director of the film. The entire unit of the film shared an emotional moment after the last scene for the film. An industry insider revealed,”Aamir was the only actor from the lead cast who was present at a suburban studio for the final shoot. As Victor (Vijay Krishna Acharya, director) was shooting the last scene, the atmosphere got extremely emotional. After it got over, there was a round of applause that didn’t stop for almost 10 minutes. Everyone got extremely teary-eyed.”
Release formats
Reportedly, Aditya Chopra, wanted to make the film in 3D. After observing the success of Haunted 3D, India’s first film in the new 3D technology, the Yash Raj Studios felt that Indian audiences have opened up to 3D cinema viewing. However, actor Aamir Khan opined that the 3D technology needed expertise and perhaps he was unsure of the outcome of its utilization by the director. As of September 2012, YRF studios hasn’t announced the production of the film in 3D.
IMAX Corporation and Yash Raj Films announced that Dhoom:3 will be the first Indian local language production to be released in the IMAX format. The film will be digitally remastered in the IMAX format with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology and will be released in IMAX theaters across India and select global locations. IMAX Corp currently has 14 IMAX theaters open or contracted to open in India. IMAX Filmed Entertainment chairman and president Greg Foster stated, “With its riveting action set pieces, global locales and stunning visuals, Dhoom:3 is an ideal film to take advantage of our immersive format as we begin our initiative with Indian-language/Bollywood films.”
Dhoom 3 will be releasing with the latest cinema sound technology Dolby Atmos.The film will receive a native Atmos mix at YRF Studios, which has been upgraded with the capability of mixing cinema audio in the Dolby Atmos format.Dolby Atmos offers the most advanced audio platform in cinematic surround sound and allows filmmakers to unleash the full potential of sound in storytelling, by giving them creative freedom to easily place or move sounds anywhere over an array of overhead and surround speakers in the movie theatre to create a life-like cinema sound experience.Commenting on the announcement, Pankaj Kedia, Country Manager, Dolby Laboratories India said, “We are very excited and extremely delighted to work with one of the pioneers of the Indian cinema industry. Yash Raj Films have always set benchmarks in aiming to provide the best content to audiences not only in India but around the world. With Dhoom 3 in Dolby Atmos, the audiences would be treated to the most realistic cinematic experience amplifying the action, emotion, excitement and thrill of the movie, like never before.” Dhoom3 trailer was censored with PG certificate from British Censors on 29 Oct 2013.
Soundtrack
It was announced that the composer of Dhoom and Dhoom 2, Pritam, will return once again to compose the music of the third installment. The film will have a theme song for Aamir Khan that the actor will sing. Reports suggest that Shefali Alvares have been roped to sing the Dhoom 3 title track.
Marketing
First of its kind, the title logo of the film was released in a video that credited the main roles of the film. The score for the video constituted paced beats and electric guitars and was released on Christmas 2012 through Yash Raj Film’s official Youtube channel, confirming the film to be Christmas 2013 release. The first working as well as promotional poster was also released exactly a year prior to the actual release date of film. In August 2013, YRF released a motion poster of the film on Youtube revealing the first look. It features Aamir Khan, his face is not seen, standing inside a tall building, looking at some choppers on the air through a glass window. A voice over reveals that the Chicago police force is in search for a fugitive biker, who vanishes before he could get caught. The satellite rights of Dhoom 3 has been sold at INR 75 crore. The first teaser of Dhoom 3 was released on 5 September 2013 at 12 pm noon. The teaser recorded 6 million views on Youtube within 6 days. The film’s teaser was also attached with Shuddh Desi Romance. On 25 October Yash Raj Films launched a game based on the film for Windows Phones. Developed by 99Games Online Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Robosoft’s mobile games), this 3D game is set against the backdrop of Chicago and opens with a heist by the character played by Aamir Khan.[48] The player then needs to overcome the crime-fighting duo comprising ACP Jai Dixit and Ali (Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra). In a thrilling, action-packed chase on super bikes through the mean streets of Chicago, players have to dodge heavy traffic and obstacles, collect coins and achieve the maximum score. The theatrical trailer will be released in the IMAX format on 30 October 2013 at 6 pm. Aamir Khan also promoted Dhoom 3 on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
In the media
Even prior to the beginning of the principal photography the film enjoyed a widespread media coverage. Because of the box office success and positive reviews from audiences for Dhoom 2, the previous installment in the Dhoom series, the sequel had been anticipated by the audience.