Bombay film

What links here Related changes Page information
Created by Alphadelta
Last edited March 3, 2026

Template:EngvarB

Bombay film
File:Bombay 1995 poster.jpg


Theatrical release poster

Directed by Mani Ratnam
Written by Mani Ratnam
Produced by S. Sriram
Mani Ratnam
Jhamu Sughand
Starring Arvind Swamy
Manisha Koirala
Cinematography Rajiv Menon
Edited by Suresh Urs
Music by A. R. Rahman





Country India
Language Tamil
Hindi



Bombay is a 1995 Indian romantic drama film[1] written and directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala. The film, primarily in Tamil and to a lesser extent Hindi,[2] tells the story of an inter-religious family in Bombay before and during the Bombay riots, which took place between December 1992 and January 1993 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid led to religious tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. It is the second installment in Ratnam's trilogy of films that depict human relationships against a background of Indian politics, including Roja (1992) and Dil Se.. (1998).

Bombay was released on 10 March 1995. The film was well-received both critically and commercially successful. It was screened at many international film festivals including the Philadelphia Film Festival in 1996. The film's soundtrack earned composer A. R. Rahman his fourth consecutive Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil), and is considered one of the greatest Indian soundtracks of all time.[3] However, the film caused considerable controversy upon release for its depiction of inter-religious relations between a Muslim woman and a Hindu man. The film was banned in Singapore and Malaysia upon release.

In July 2005, a book on the film by Lalitha Gopalan was published by BFI Modern Classics, looking at the film's production, the several issues it covered, and its impact upon release in India and abroad.[4][5] The film was ranked among the top 20 Indian films in the British Film Institute's rankings.[6]

Plot

Shekhar is the son of an orthodox Hindu Narayana Pillai living in a coastal village in Tamil Nadu. A journalism student studying in Bombay, Shekhar visits home to be with his family. On one of his return trips, he notices Shaila Banu, a Muslim schoolgirl in the village and falls in love with her. She happens to be his sister's friend. Initially shy, Shaila seeks to distance herself from Shekhar, but after frequent run-ins, and days of pursuit, Shaila begins to like Shekhar. Eventually, they both fall in love.

Shekhar meets Shaila's father, Basheer, and says he wants to marry Shaila. Basheer refuses, citing differences in religions. Shekhar reveals his interest to his father, who becomes angry, meets Basheer, and gets into an abusive argument with him. Upset with rejection from both families, Shekhar returns to Bombay. Through a friend of hers, he sends Shaila a letter and a ticket for her to travel to Bombay. However, she is undecided; Basheer learns of her regular letters from Shekhar and plans to get her married in order to stop this relationship from growing further. Left with no choice, Shaila leaves the village with the ticket Shekhar sent and reaches Bombay.

Shekhar and Shaila marry and lead a happy life. In a year, Shaila conceives and delivers twin boys who are named Kabir Narayan and Kamal Basheer. The twins are raised in both religions. Shekhar continues to work as a journalist, while Shaila takes care of her home and children. In six years, Shekhar and Shaila firmly settle down.

When the Babri Masjid is demolished on 6 December 1992, riots break out in Bombay. Kabir and Kamal, who had gone to buy groceries, get caught in the riots; eventually, Shekhar and Shaila save them and reach home safely. Narayana Pillai, who receives the news of the riots, rushes to Bombay to meet his son and his family. He reconciles with his son and everyone is happy with his arrival, and he stays with them. Soon, Basheer also comes with his wife and all of them live together happily for a few days. Both Pillai and Basheer are happy with their grandchildren; they try to get both into their religions and wish to be with them.

On 5 January 1993, when two murders are propagated as communal killings, another riot breaks out in Bombay, raising tensions between religious communities. Hindus and Muslims clash in the streets, resulting in hundreds of deaths on both sides. During the conflict, arsonists set fire to the apartment where Shekhar lives with his family. Shekhar tries to evacuate everyone, but Narayana Pillai, Basheer and his wife fail to escape in time and are killed in an explosion. In the confusion of the panicking crowds, Kamal and Kabir are separated from their parents.

Kamal is saved by a transgender woman who cares for him and protects him, while Kabir searches aimlessly for his brother. Shekhar and Shaila begin to search for them, and they go through several tense moments, as they check the morgues and hospitals for their children. Shekhar grows emotional and participates in the movement to stop the riots with other moderate religious leaders, ultimately succeeding. When the riots end, Shaila and Shekhar are reunited with their children tearfully as the people on the streets join hands, regardless of age or religion.

Cast

Template:Cast listing

Additionally, Sonali Bendre and Nagendra Prasad appear in the item number "Humma Humma".[7][8]

Production

Development

During the recording of the background score of Mani Ratnam's Thiruda Thiruda (1993), the Bombay riots broke out. Mani Ratnam planned on making a film in Malayalam about a boy who gets lost in the riots, and requested M. T. Vasudevan Nair to write the script. This was supposed to be Mani Ratnam's second Malayalam film after Unaroo (1985). But since the idea did not materialise, he decided to make it in Tamil as the film that would later be titled Bombay.Template:Sfn According to Ratnam, Bombay was not originally planned as a political film: "It was a phase India was going through and these things affected me and found their way into my work."[9]

Casting

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, where "Kannalane" was shot.

Aishwarya Rai was considered for the female lead, but she opted out due to unavailability of dates, with the production schedules clashing with her Miss World pageant, a title she went on to win.[10] Mani Ratnam held a photoshoot for the film with Vikram and Manisha Koirala, but eventually excluded Vikram as he was unwilling to shave his beard and long hair that he had grown for the production of another film during the period, Pudhiya Mannargal (1994);[11] the role went to Arvind Swamy.Template:Sfn[12] Koirala has stated that, though some people advised her against accepting the project since she had to play a mother, she did not listen as there were others who said "it'll be foolish to refuse a Mani Ratnam film".[13] Koirala's voice was dubbed by Rohini.[14] Nassar, a Muslim in real life, was cast as the father of Swamy's character (a Hindu) while Kitty, a Hindu in real life, was cast as the father of Koirala's character (a Muslim). Ratnam deliberately cast them in those roles as a statement.[15]Template:Sfn Twins Harsha and Hriday were chosen to play the protagonists' twin sons, from over 70 twins that the director saw but was not impressed. Bombay remains Harsha's only release.[16][17]

Filming

When Ratnam approached cinematographer Rajiv Menon to shoot Bombay, he described it as a film about the riots and said that he (Menon) needed to "(make what came before) the riots as beautiful as possible". So Menon suggested shooting in the rains to achieve the effect. They shot the interiors of homes in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu and the exteriors were shot in Kasaragod, and Kannur village in Kerala.[18] The song "Kannalane" was shot at Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal,[19] and "Uyire" was shot at Bekal Fort.[20] The demolition of the Babri Masjid was shown onscreen through newspaper headlines and photographs, as the Censor Board did not want the makers to show the actual destruction.Template:Sfn[21]

Themes and influences

Mani Ratnam described Bombay as "a positive film about communal harmony". He said the Bombay riots were not the main focus of the film, but "a helpless, innocent man caught up in violence not of his own making."[15] The film is the second installment in Ratnam's trilogy of films that depict human relationships against a background of Indian politics, including Roja (1992) and Dil Se.. (1998).[22] Bangalore Mirror compared it to the theme of the 1990 movie Come See the Paradise.[23]

Soundtrack

Template:Main

The soundtrack album for Bombay was composed by A. R. Rahman, in his third collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Roja and Thiruda Thiruda. The lyrics for the Tamil version were written by Vairamuthu, except "Humma Humma" and "Halla Gulla" written by Vaali. The soundtrack of the film became one of the best-selling Indian music albums of all time, with sales of 15Template:Nbspmillion units.[24][25] The soundtrack was included in The Guardian's "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die" list,[26] and the song "Kannalanae" sung by K. S. Chithra was included in their "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear" list.[27] "Bombay Theme" has appeared in various international films and music compilations, while the songs "Kannalanae" and "Bombay Theme" have been sampled by various international artists.

Release

Bombay was released on 10 March 1995.[28] The Telugu-dubbed version was released on the same day.Template:Sfn It was previously scheduled to release in January 1995, during Pongal.[29] The film caused considerable controversy upon release in India and abroad for its depiction of inter-religious relations between a Muslim woman and a Hindu man.[30][31] The film was banned in Singapore and Malaysia upon release. Two homemade bombs were thrown at the house of Mani Ratnam by Radical Islamist terrorists, Mani Ratnam had to be hospitalised with shrapnel injuries.[32]

Reception

Box office

The Hindi dubbed version of the film grossed Template:INRConvert, as reported by Box Office India, making it one of the year's ten highest-grossing Hindi films.[33]

Critical reception

Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 19 March 1995, rated the film 53 out of 100.[34] Anand Kannan, writing for Planet Bollywood, said, "I wouldn't call this the best of Mani Ratnam [...] But good acting, a socially conscious theme and a quick pace make the movie well worth watching."[35] In 1996, American critic James Berardinelli rated the film 3.5 out of 4 and said, "Largely because of their limited North American appeal and dubious quality, Indian movies are routinely ignored by distributors [...] Occasionally, however, a worthwhile picture causes enough people to take notice that it becomes a favorite on the international film festival circuit. One such movie is Bombay, the fourteenth feature from celebrated director Mani Rathnam." He concluded, "Director Rathnam has shown great courage in making this picture (bombs were thrown at his house after it opened in India), which speaks with a voice that many will not wish to hear. Bombay recalls how forceful a motion picture can be."[36] R. P. R. of Kalki wrote that with far cry from average cinema, this film raises a thousand questions about social morality, not just Mani Ratnam; it has given every Indian a chance to be proud.[37]

Accolades

AwardTemplate:Efn Date of ceremonyTemplate:Efn Category Recipient(s) Result Template:Abbr
Cinema Express Awards 1995 Best Film – Tamil Bombay – Template:Sort Template:Won [38]
Best Director – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Actor (Special Award) Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Actress (Special Award) Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Lyricist – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Edinburgh International Film Festival 1996 Gala Award Bombay – Template:Sort Template:Won
Filmfare Awards 2 March 1996 Critics Award for Best Film Bombay – Template:SortTemplate:Efn Template:Won [39]
Critics Award for Best Actress Template:SortTemplate:Efn Template:Won [40]
Filmfare Awards South 14 September 1996 Best Film – Tamil Bombay – Template:Sort Template:Won [41]
Best Director – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Actress – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Best Music Director – Tamil Template:Sort Template:Won
Jerusalem Film Festival 4–13 July 1996 Honorable Mention Bombay – Template:Sort Template:Won [42]
Matri Shree Media Award 6 May 1996 Best Film Template:Sort Template:Won [43]
National Film Awards 6 August 1996 Best Feature Film on National Integration Producer: Template:Sort and Template:Sort
Director: Template:Sort 		Template:Won [44]
Best Editing Template:Sort Template:Won
Political Film Society 1996 Special Award Bombay – Template:Sort Template:Won Template:Cn
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 1997 Best Lyricist Template:SortTemplate:Efn Template:Won [45]
Best Female Playback Singer Template:Sort – (for "Kannalane") Template:Won

Bibliography

  • Bombay{{#if:Gopalan|, Gopalan}. Bloomsbury Publishing(2019). ISBN 978-0-85170-956-7
  • Conversations with Mani Ratnam{{#if:Rangan|, Rangan}. Penguin Books(2012). ISBN 978-0-670-08520-0

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

  1. ↑ Bombay. The Times of India(30 May 2008). Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ↑ Police officials turn censors for Mani Ratnam's Bombay, Sinha, Seema(8 January 1995). Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Sound of Cinema: 20 Greatest Soundtracks. BBC Music. BBC(19 August 2014). Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  4. ↑ BFI Books: Bombay: The film. BFI.org.uk(July 2005). Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  5. ↑ Bombay (film): BFI Modern Classics. University of California Press(July 2005). Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  6. ↑ Top 10 Indian Films. BFI(17 July 2007). Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  7. ↑ 1997–98'ன் கோடம்பாக்கக் குஞ்சுகள். Indolink. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  8. ↑ AR Rahman birthday special: Five most popular songs by Mozart of Madras. Mumbai Mirror(6 January 2017). Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  9. ↑ Up close and personal with Mani Ratnam. The Hindu(26 September 2015). Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  10. ↑ Did you know? Aishwarya Rai Versus Manisha Koirala. Mid-Day(26 September 2015). Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  11. ↑ Man of Steel. The Caravan(1 December 2013). Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Tuesday Trivia, Bombay: Communal riots post Babri Masjid demolition to Vikram opting out, Balachandran, Logesh. India Today(4 August 2020). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Don't want to overwork myself, says Manisha Koirala. Press Trust of India(24 June 2018). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  14. ↑ Success of dubbing artist lies in not letting audience know who you are. The Hindu(12 July 2010). Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mani Ratnams Bombay views communalism through eyes of common man. India Today(15 January 1995). Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  16. ↑ From Bombay to Chennai: Actor Hridayraaj. The New Indian Express(5 September 2011). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  17. ↑ A child star's journey. The Hindu(11 February 2012). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  18. ↑ Shot breakdown. Time Out. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  19. ↑ Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal gets a facelift. The Times of India(29 April 2012). Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  20. ↑ Indian locations provide stunning backdrops for film shoots. The Hindu(3 July 2010). Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  21. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  22. ↑ Tryst with terrorism. The Times of India(29 June 2008). Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  23. ↑ Bypassing copycats, Sandalwood style. Bangalore Mirror(29 January 2012). Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  24. ↑ The "Mozart of Madras" AR Rahman is Performing LIVE in Australia. SBS(14 February 2017). Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  25. ↑ A R Rahman: Composing a winning score. Rediff.com(21 September 2002). Retrieved 21 September 2002.
  26. ↑ 100 Best Albums Ever. The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  27. ↑ 1000 songs everyone must hear; Part one: Love. The Guardian(14 March 2009). Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  28. ↑ A war for love: Mani Ratnam's 'Bombay' explored an inter-faith marriage battered by bigotry, Ramnath, Nandini. Scroll.in(1 December 2020). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  29. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  30. ↑ Mani Ratnam's film Bombay invites critical acclaim and howls of protest. India Today(15 April 1995). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  31. ↑ Mani Ratnam's film 'Bombay' incenses Muslim leaders of city, Chandra, A.. India Today(30 April 1995). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  32. ↑ Movie Director Injured By Bomb; Police Blame Muslim Extremists. Associated Press(10 July 1995). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  33. ↑ Box Office 1995. Box Office India. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  34. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  35. ↑ Bombay, Kannan, Anand. Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  36. ↑ Bombay, Berardenelli, James. ReelViews(1996). Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  37. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  38. ↑ List Accolades Received by Films Produced Under Madras Talkies. Madras Talkies. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  39. ↑ Critics Award for Best Film Winners 1970–1999. Indiatimes. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  40. ↑ Critics Award for Best Performer Winners 1990–1999. Indiatimes. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  41. ↑ The 43rd Filmfare Awards South 1996 Winners. Filmfare. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  42. ↑ Jerusalem Film Festival 1996. Jerusalem Film Festival. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  43. ↑ 1996 : 20th Matri Shree Awards. The Indian Express(21 September 2013).
  44. ↑ 43rd National Film Awards. Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  45. ↑ 1997 Highlights. Dinakaran. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

Template:Wikiquote

Template:Mani Ratnam Template:Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Template:FilmfareCriticsAwardBestMovie Template:Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Bombay_film&oldid=472791"
Discover more