Abhishek Bachchan
Rakesh ‘Ricky’ Thakral
Overview
London, an overcrowded cafe, one table to share. Two strangers tell each other “how I met my fiancé” stories to kill time. Rikki met his fiance Anaida at the Ritz in Paris and Alvira met her prince charming Steve at Madame Tussauds
Cast
12 people
Lara Dutta
Anaida Raza / Laila
Preity Zinta
Alvira Khan
Bobby Deol
Satvinder ‘Steve’ Singh
Robert Galas
Paul Pimply
Reviews
5 min readThe Train Station That Never Arrives
I remember the first time I heard the phrase jhoom barabar jhoom—it was in a dusty cassette shop in Delhi, the kind with peeling posters of Amitabh Bachchan and a ceiling fan that wheezed like an asthmatic uncle. The shopkeeper, a man who seemed to exist entirely in the space between his mustache and his glasses, hummed it while rewinding a tape. "Dance together, sway together," he translated for me, though the words themselves sounded more like a promise than an instruction.
That promise is what Shaad Ali’s 2007 film clings to, even as it stumbles over its own feet.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is a film that wants to be a musical, a romance, a comedy, and a drama all at once, and in that ambition, it reveals something honest about Bollywood’s relationship with genre: the fear of standing still. The premise is simple, almost elegant. Two strangers—Rikki (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira (Preity Zinta)—find themselves sharing a table in a crowded London café while waiting for their respective fiancés.
To pass the time, they take turns telling each other the stories of how they met their partners. These aren’t just anecdotes; they’re elaborate, Technicolor fantasies, complete with song-and-dance numbers, grand gestures, and the kind of romantic idealism that only exists in films or in the rearview mirror of memory.
The problem isn’t the premise. It’s the execution. The film’s structure is a house of cards, and Ali’s direction doesn’t do enough to steady it.
The flashbacks—Rikki’s tale of meeting Anaida (Lara Dutta) at the Ritz in Paris, Alvira’s story of her whirlwind romance with Steve (Bobby Deol)—are visually distinct, drenched in the kind of saturated colors that make you feel like you’re watching a postcard come to life. But the transitions between these stories and the present-day framing device are jarring, as if the film can’t decide whether it wants to be a grounded romantic comedy or a fairy tale.
The result is a tonal whiplash that leaves you more exhausted than enchanted.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.2/10
"A colorful but uneven Bollywood musical romance with catchy songs and charismatic leads, though the plot struggles to hold attention."
The vibrant musical numbers and the chemistry between the leads, particularly Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta, are the film's strongest assets. The story is weak and meandering, though, and hard to stay with despite the entertaining songs and performances.
What viewers praise
- Catchy musical numbers The soundtrack, including 'Ticket To Hollywood,' is praised for its energy and memorability.
- Lead chemistry Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta make a charming on-screen pair.
- Colorful visuals A vibrant, stylish presentation.
Common complaints
- Weak plot The story is thin, predictable, and shallow, making it hard to sustain interest.
- Uneven pacing The pacing is slow and disjointed, particularly in the second half.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters and their arcs feel shallow or unnecessary.
Recommended for
Bollywood musical fans Romantic comedy lovers Abhishek Bachchan admirers Lighthearted entertainment seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom: Bollywood’s Musical Rom-Com with a Rocky Ride
Shaad Ali’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007) arrived with all the trappings of a big-budget Bollywood spectacle: a star-studded cast, a soundtrack by the legendary Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and lyrics by Gulzar. Yet, despite its high-energy musical numbers and glamorous leads—Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, and Lara Dutta—the film’s journey from production to box office was far from smooth. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the evidence reveals about the making of this divisive rom-com.
A Director’s Vision: Shaad Ali’s Romantic Gamble
Shaad Ali, known for his work in romantic dramas like Saathiya (2002), helmed Jhoom Barabar Jhoom as a musical love story set against the backdrop of London’s bustling train stations. The film’s premise—two strangers (Bachchan and Deol) spinning elaborate tales of romance to impress their respective love interests (Zinta and Dutta)—was a departure from Ali’s earlier, more grounded narratives. His directorial style leaned into the film’s whimsical tone, blending comedy, drama, and musical set pieces, but the execution left critics and audiences divided.
The film’s runtime of 138 minutes and its mix of genres—comedy, drama, musical, and romance—suggested an ambitious attempt to capture the magic of classic Bollywood masala. However, reviews later called out its pacing and convoluted storytelling, with some arguing that the film struggled to balance its tonal shifts.
The Cast: Star Power and Cameos
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom boasted a lineup of A-list talent, but not all performances landed as intended. Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol played off each other as the film’s central rivals, their chemistry fueling the movie’s comedic and romantic tension. Preity Zinta and Lara Dutta, meanwhile, brought their signature charm to their roles, though some critics felt their characters were underdeveloped.
The film also featured a cameo by Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek’s father, adding a layer of star power. Smaller roles were filled by actors like Piyush Mishra, Hubertus Geller, and Ameet Chana, rounding out the ensemble. However, the sheer number of subplots—including a side story involving Robert Galas and Sheena Bhattessa—may have diluted the film’s focus, contributing to its mixed reception.
The Music: A Highlight Amidst the Chaos
One of the film’s standout features was its soundtrack, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with lyrics by Gulzar. Songs like the titular Jhoom Barabar Jhoom became instant hits, blending peppy beats with Gulzar’s poetic lyrics. The music videos, often featuring the leads in vibrant, choreographed sequences, were a major promotional tool, with YouTube clips of the songs racking up millions of views.
Despite the soundtrack’s success, some critics argued that the musical numbers felt disconnected from the plot, serving more as spectacle than narrative drivers. Still, the album’s popularity helped keep the film in the public eye, even as reviews questioned its overall coherence.
Box Office and Verdict: A Disappointing Return?
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom had a budget that, while never officially confirmed in the available evidence, was rumored to be substantial given its star cast and production scale. However, its box office performance fell short of expectations. Sources suggest the film struggled to recoup its costs, with lifetime worldwide collections described as underwhelming.
Critically, the film fared no better. Rotten Tomatoes does not provide a score for it, but user ratings on platforms like SensCritique gave it a modest 6.2/10 based on 24 votes. Reviews called out its weak script, overstuffed plot, and uneven tone, with some labeling it a "bakwas" (nonsense) Bollywood flick. Yet, for all its flaws, the film’s music and star power ensured it remained a topic of conversation—if not always for the right reasons.
The Legacy: A Cult Following or a Forgotten Flop?
More than a decade after its release, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom occupies an odd space in Bollywood history. It’s not remembered as a classic, nor is it entirely forgotten. Its songs still surface in playlists and throwback compilations, and clips of its over-the-top musical numbers occasionally resurface online. For some fans, the film’s campy charm and star-studded cast make it a guilty pleasure.
Yet, the evidence suggests that Jhoom Barabar Jhoom was a missed opportunity—a film with all the ingredients for success but lacking the tight script and cohesive vision to pull it off. Shaad Ali’s ambitious blend of genres may have been its downfall, but it also made the film a curious case study in Bollywood’s love affair with spectacle over substance.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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