Bombay

Where to watch

Bombay

1995

பம்பாய்

Directed by Mani Ratnam

A Hindu man and a Muslim woman fall in love in a small village and move to Mumbai, where they have two children. However, growing religious tensions and erupting riots threaten to tear the family apart.

Cast Crew Details Genres Releases

141 mins   More at IMDb TMDB Report this page

Popular reviews

More
nrh
Review by nrh ★★★★★ Liked

Mani Ratnam might have the most expressive camera of the '90s, the slow build of romance is indescribably beautiful until history revels itself as "spilled blood and burnt flesh."

Masterpiece and continued proof that melodrama is one of, if not the, greatest form for which to understand life as we live it day after day.

reibureibu
Review by reibureibu ★★★★ Liked 9

Exhibits incredibly effective usage of dance numbers by utilizing them to construct our expectations to then later destroy them completely. Bombay starts off as a relatively light-hearted romance between two people whose religious beliefs make their union difficult. Shekhar comes from a Hindu family whereas Shaila is from a Muslim one, their courtship expressed continually in the narrative but most vividly in the grand, joyous musical segments. There is a sense that, though difficult, they will not only find a way to happily unite, but also find reconciliation between their families.

Though the film centers on these two, behind their story is that of the contemporaneous political landscape. Slowly, it encroaches towards the viewer until it completely takes the forefront…

Michael James
Review by Michael James ★★★★ 1

Another relevant socio romantic drama from Mani Rathnam, this time about the religious tension between Hindu and Muslim communities in and around the time period of Babri Masjid demolition. Though the movie’s objective is to stress on communal harmony and portray the victimization of innocent people, stuck inadvertently in a war between two different ideologies, the controversial portrayal of police and Muslims initiating the second riot have been criticized heavily. The politicians and police getting involved in its censor clearance at time of release has definitely played a major role in what the movie is today. The secularism debate is another whole thesis.

Leaving aside the controversies, the movie is quite solid with a thoroughly engaging narrative. MR utilizes his…

Ayush
Review by Ayush ★★★★½ Liked 19

Love at first sight in all its glory. Belonging to two different religions which have constantly been at odds in a country that used to be proud of its secularity, they are reduced to stealing glances until glances just aren't enough to contain their passion. He sings his heart out to her while the ocean waves violently crash, as if the entire universe is restless for them to unite. It's that grand fairy tale nature of it all which won my heart, just as it did the woman's. Defying their families' wishes and kicking arbitrary societal norms to the curb, they reach the promised land: Mumbai.

But religious tensions remain just beneath the surface; passing remarks and side-eyes need a…

Preet
Review by Preet ★★★★★ Liked 1

"Mazhab insaan ke liye hai, insaan mazhab ke liye nahi."
(Religion is for man, man is not for religion.)

The film's message & potrayal of love and communal harmony whilst still showcasing the depth and sensitivity surrounding such a topic is shown with such skill and mastery that it is just commendable. The scene which is one of the most memorable and impactful moments of the movie and it also reaches its emotional peak when Shekhar and Shaila, both exhausted and desperate, working tirelessly to find finally find their children in amidst of one of the biggest communal riots of the country is one of the most beautiful moments of the film. Obviously A.R. Rahman did a phenomanal job with the heavenly soundtrack of this film which beautifully goes hand-in-hand with the stunning direction of Mani Ratnam. Might be one of the greatest director-music director duos of India.

(cyril)
Review by (cyril)

what the fuck man i thought this would be a rom com jesus christ dude

ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ
Review by ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ ★★★★½ Liked

Can you imagine the first half of any film is a clichéd tale swooning with delight while the other half screams fanaticism and bloodshed in each shell? "Bombay" is all about the aesthetics in the beginning but it makes you all jittery and twitchy without even realizing it. What startles me the most is the proficiency of Mani Ratnam to fuse everything from one platter and deliver it without any bias.

Each frame of "Bombay" is divine and daunting at the same time.

{Todd}
Review by {Todd} ★★★★★ Liked 3

"I caught a glimpse of you, It set my blood racing through my veins." -Shaila,

- 5x5 Challenge #5 (Ratnam 2/5): boxd.it/dew2a

Overwhelming.

Wow... just wow. One of the most powerful films I have ever watched and so beautiful. A movie that excels in every aspect of film-making and emotionally drains you. I'm basically speechless because it's rare to see a movie so ambitious in scope that seemingly accomplishes all of its goals.

Watch soon.

Arjun Rajput
Review by Arjun Rajput ★★★★★ Liked 1

A childhood favorite that shaped my perception of love, religion and humanity at large.

alex
Review by alex ★★★★ Liked

why does ratnam hurt me like this i'm a good person

rahul ranjan
Review by rahul ranjan Liked 5

Mainstream films don't need to be ugly, it can look visceral.
Mainstream films don't need to tear your eardrums, it can be an audial remedy.
Mainstream films don't need to be crowded, it can be melancholic.
Mainstream films don't need every color in the world, it can be done with blacks and whites.
Mainstream films don't need to exist in alternate utopia, it can function in a politically charaged and relevant world.
Mainstream doesn't need to be Rohit Shetty, it can be Mani Ratnam.

rahul
Review by rahul ★★½ 4

Dangerous film to outright praise imo (no matter how well done it undeniably is); how can a film depict an event of hindu violence when it is censored and restricted by the fascist shiv sena (and ultimately praised by bal thackeray once it was released)?
particularly disturbing is how it seems to place the onus of the riots on muslims.. comes off as an attempt to paint the babri masjid incident as a benign incident, rather than as a very pointed Hindu nationalist attack that changed the course of india's future.

Mentioned by