Starcast: Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Zayed Khan, Suneil Shetty, Esha Deol, Raima Sen, Dia Mirza, Ninad Kamat, Gulshan ...
Starcast: Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Zayed Khan, Suneil Shetty, Esha Deol, Raima Sen, Dia Mirza, Ninad Kamat, Gulshan Grover and Pankaj Kapur
Music: Vishal Shekhar
Direction: Anubhav Sinha
Dus, is a 2005 Bollywood espionage thriller directed by Anubhav Sinha that hit
theaters like a monsoon storm on July 8, 2005. This flick is a wild ride,
packed with action, a star-studded cast, and lots of cool-dude energy. It’s not
perfect, although it has got heart, style, and a vibe that screams early 2000s
Bollywood trying to flex its action muscles.
The Plot – High Stakes, Ticking Clocks, and Terrorist Takedowns
Dus throws you right into the deep end of a high-stakes espionage plot. The
story follows Siddhant Dheer (Sanjay Dutt), the grizzled leader of a special
counter-terrorism squad called the Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC). This isn’t your
average desk job; these guys are the best of the best, tasked with stopping a
terrorist mastermind named Jamwal from pulling off a massive attack in Canada
during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit. The clock’s ticking—seven days to
save the world, or at least a good chunk of it. Sounds like a Hollywood
blockbuster setup, right? Well, that’s kind of the point.
The team’s a ragtag bunch of cool cats: Aditya (Zayed Khan), the young hotshot;
Shashank (Abhishek Bachchan), the brooding tech guy; and Aditi (Shilpa Shetty),
the tough-as-nails agent who can kick butt without breaking a sweat. Throw in
some side characters like Anu (Esha Deol) and Dan (Suniel Shetty), and you’ve
got a squad that’s ready to take on anything—explosions, betrayals, and all.
The plot zips along as they chase leads, dodge bullets, and uncover a web of
deceit that keeps you guessing.
What’s cool about Dus is how it captures the vibe of early 2000s Bollywood
trying to go global. This was a time when Indian cinema was dipping its toes
into slick action flicks, and Dus feels like a love letter to Hollywood spy
thrillers like Mission: Impossible or Die Hard, but with a desi twist. The
stakes feel big, the action feels urgent, and there’s a sense of patriotism.
The Cast – Sanjay Dutt Steals the Show, and Everyone Else Keeps Up
Let’s talk about the cast, because Dus is stacked with talent. Sanjay Dutt is
the anchor here, playing Siddhant with a mix of grit, vulnerability, and that
classic Dutt swagger. He’s the guy you’d want leading your squad when the
world’s about to blow up. His performance carries the film, especially in
scenes where he’s grappling with the weight of leadership and loss.
Abhishek Bachchan and Zayed Khan are a great duo, playing off each other.
Abhishek’s Shashank is understated but intense, while Zayed’s Aditya is all
energy and charm. Their bromance is one of the film’s highlights—think Dhoom
vibes but with higher stakes. Shilpa Shetty as Aditi is a standout, proving
she’s more than just a pretty face. She’s tough, believable, and holds her own
in the action scenes without being reduced to a damsel in distress.
Pankaj Kapur as the villain Jamwal is… well, a bit of a mixed bag. He’s got the
menace down, but some of his scenes feel like they’re trying too hard to
channel a "damn care" vibe. It’s not his fault—the writing doesn’t
always give him enough to work with, and he ends up a bit cartoonish at times.
Still, when he’s on screen, you know something bad is about to go down. The
supporting cast, including Esha Deol and Raima Sen, does solid work, though
some roles (like Esha’s) feel undercooked.
The Action and Style – Bollywood Goes Full Hollywood , well, Almost !!
If there’s one thing Dus nails, it’s the style. This movie is cool—like,
sunglasses-at-night, leather-jacket cool. The action sequences are a big part
of that. From car chases to shootouts to hand-to-hand combat, Sinha pumps up
the adrenaline. Sure, some of the stunts look a bit dated now (it was in 2005,
after all), and a few feel straight-up artificial, but they’ve got energy to
spare. The film’s pacing keeps things moving, and the set pieces—like a
climactic showdown in a stadium—are ambitious for the time. Bollywood wasn’t
doing a ton of spy thrillers back then, so Dus feels like a trailblazer in that
sense.
Visually, the film rocks. The cinematography by Vijay Kumar Arora is slick,
with a glossy sheen that screams big-budget. The locations, especially the
Canada scenes, give it a global feel. And let’s not forget the
costumes—everyone’s dressed like they just walked out of a fashion magazine.
The whole “cool-dude attitude” (as one review put it) is laid on thick, but it
works for the vibe Sinha’s going for.
The Music – Bangers That Still Slap Hard
No Bollywood movie is complete without a killer soundtrack, and Dus delivers.
The title track, “Dus Bahane,” is an absolute banger—catchy, energetic, and the
kind of song that gets stuck in your head for days. Shaan and KK’s vocals are
fire, and the clubby vibe fits the film’s cool aesthetic perfectly. The Sunidhi
Chauhan chartbuster "Deedar de" is another foot tapping number which was a rage
in parties back then. The background score by Ranjit Barot is pulse-pounding.
There’s also a random “sagaai” song , "Dil Kuch Kehta Hai", that
feels a bit out of place, but it’s got that classic Bollywood charm. The music
doesn’t just complement the film—it’s a character in itself.
What Works and What Doesn’t
So, what makes Dus worth watching? For one, it’s a time capsule of Bollywood’s
early 2000s ambition. This was before spy thrillers like Ek Tha Tiger or War
became a thing, and Dus feels like it paved the way. It’s got heart, a solid
cast, and a director who knows how to keep you entertained. The camaraderie
between the leads is genuinely fun, and the action keeps you on the edge of
your seat. Plus, it’s got that desi flavor—patriotism, family vibes, and a
touch of melodrama—that makes it feel grounded.
But it’s not flawless. The script, written by Yash and Vinay, borrows heavily
from Hollywood—sometimes too heavily. You can spot the Mission: Impossible and
Men in Black influences a mile away. Some characters, like Esha Deol’s, are
underused, and the villain’s plan can feel a bit simplistic. There’s also a
sense that the film’s trying to juggle too much—romance, action, betrayal, and
a patriotic message—and it doesn’t always land. The stunts, while ambitious,
can look dated or overly choreographed, especially compared to today’s slicker
action flicks.
Why It Still Matters
Twenty years later, Dus holds up as a groundbreaking moment for Bollywood. It
was one of the first films to really lean into the espionage genre, setting the
stage for the spy universes we see today (especially, by YRF). It’s not as
polished as modern hits like Pathaan or Tiger 3, but it’s got a raw energy
that’s hard to resist. It’s like the cool older cousin who showed up to the
party with a leather jacket and a smirk, making everyone else step up their
game.
The film also has a bit of a tragic backstory. It’s a loose spiritual successor
to an unfinished project by Mukul S. Anand, who passed away in the ‘90s. So,
It’s not just an action flick; it’s a tribute to the genre and a bold swing for
Bollywood at the time.
Final Thoughts
Dus is absolutely worth a watch. It’s not perfect—sometimes it’s a bit too
flashy for its own good, and the plot can feel like it’s trying to do too
much—but it’s got heart, style, and a cast that’s clearly having a blast. Pop
it on for a nostalgic trip back to 2005, when Bollywood was figuring out how to
do spies right. Grab some popcorn, crank up “Dus Bahane,” and enjoy the ride.
You might just find yourself wishing you had a pair of shades to match the
vibe!!
In short, A stylish, fun throwback that’s rough around the edges but still packs a punch.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
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