The Dishoom trailer is finally out — and Abu Dhabi is the star of the 3.18-minute clip.
From Zayed Cricket Stadium and Yas Marina to Ferrari World and even an Adnoc petrol station, the fast-paced video (subtitled in English) feels like a slickly-shot advertisement for our favourite emirate.
It is fun to watch Bollywood hunks Varun Dhawan and John Abraham hanging out of a helicopter over Reem Island and speeding down the Corniche, bringing to life the images The National captured when the cast and crew filmed in the capital earlier this year.
Dhawan and Abraham, who portray police officers Junaid and Kabir, enjoy an easy camaraderie on screen and their buddy-cop jokes and one-liners are spot on, with Dhawan — known for his impeccable comic timing — taking on the role of the clown (“I earn in dirhams but spend in rupees”) while Abraham sulks and pouts magnificently at the camera while nonchalantly firing weapons and chain-smoking (“Bullets can’t kill me, what harm can a cigarette do?”).
Recent news reports that the film’s plot is about illegal betting in cricket seem to be based on fact: the opening scene is an India-Pakistan game at the aforementioned Zayed Cricket Stadium, which is filled with fans and awash with the Indian tricolour and the Pakistani flag. Central to the storyline seems to be a cricketer named Viraj who walks out to the crease accompanied to the roar of the crowds and a voice-over by Akshaye Khanna, the film’s main villain, cursing his expert batting skills.
Viraj – who is inspired by current Indian cricket vice-captain Virat Kohli, one of the world’s best-known batsmen – is kidnapped just before an all-important final game. Cue Kabir and Junaid tearing all over Abu Dhabi as they try to piece together the puzzle and take on the bad guys via a series of car chases and explosions.
Oh, and there’s also Jacqueline Fernandez, who portrays a double agent with two names, Pakeezah and Parvati. In true Bollywood style where actresses tend to serve mainly as arm candy, it doesn’t seem like she has much to do, but you never know.
Dishoom is directed by Rohit Dhawan and is out in the UAE on July 28. There is no news yet on whether the world premiere will be held in Abu Dhabi.
ciyer@thenational.ae