It is also cinema of the stars, of larger-than-life glamour. Ash and Bipasha display bronzed, toned bods in hanky-small dresses. Dhoom 2 teases, titillates, caters to the voyeur in every viewer. But there’s no gender divide here. We women too have been given an equal opportunity to ogle at dishy Hrithik.

Cut the crap’ Cut the gyan’ Let’s come to the point straightway: Is DHOOM 2 as big as its hype? Does it meet the monumental expectations? Or is it a gas balloon with a leak? Yes, DHOOM 2 works big time.

The cinematography is spectacular, makes you really want to visit all the locations. There are some awesome creative action sequences. But they are sketchy, not detailed. Explanations for who got where and how, in at least three of these sequences, are deemed unnecessary.

It makes a good popcorn flick and has a few catchy moments. Watch out for the classy action sequences and the chemistry between Hrithik and Aishwarya, which is appealing to say the least!

Story? Do we really need one! Let’s say it’s just a simple cops and robbers tale that ain’t simply done. The thrills, the chills and the testosterone twists will keep you humming: ‘Crazy kiya re!’ Time to take a back seat, Mr Bond. Because Bollywood’s Dhoom is bigger, better and goes beyond…

Dhoom 2 is sheer, unapologetic entertainment, and a lot of effort has gone into making a crowd-pleaser, but the easy humour and effervescence of Dhoom could not be replicated. Since so much of the directorial and technical input has gone into the action and dance numbers, you don’t really get close to any of the characters. A little less ostentation and a little more attention to plot and characterisation, would have made a world of difference

Director Sanjay Gadhvi plays on all the strengths of the original and then adds more chutzpah in the form of a bigger star cast and the breathtaking locales of Rio de Janeiro and Durban, the expanses of the Namib Desert, the fortresses of Rajasthan and the backwaters of Goa.

The anticipated result is a wonderfully crafted mall product; much of it goes well with the pop-corn. This is more or less what I felt the posters had promised. They just about meet those expectations. Be extremely wary of the hype though.

This is a film that makes the big-screen spectacle look jovial and casual. Look underneath. There’s a method to the smirking madness. The grueling glamour of a stunt-driven drama has never been more fluently placed before us.

Hrithik is one of those rare actors who’s not only abundantly talented, but he’s also blessed with a presence that’s electrifying. With the grace of a dove he throws himself into the film’s many challenging stunt scenes – skydiving, sand-surfing, scuba-diving, roller-blading, bungee-jumping – and he does it all so well.Whether it’s in the action scenes, or the songs, whether he’s romancing Aishwarya or jumping off a cliff, it’s hard to take your eyes off him.