Dhobi Ghat Promos Launch

Dhobi Ghat

Status Post Production
Release Date 21/01/2011
Direction Kiran Rao
Production Aamir Khan Productions Ltd, Cinema 73
Musical Score Gustavo Santaolalla
Scripting Kiran Rao
Budget
Genre Social
Website http://www.dhobighatfilm.com
Cast
Prateik Babbar
Aamir Khan
Monica Dogra
Kriti Malhotra
Kittu Gidwani
Danish Hussain
Jehan Manekshaw
Ashok Varma
Story

Dhobi Ghat To Be Dubbed In Hindi

Aamir Khan has said the film will be dubbed in Hindi for release in single screen cinemas and will release at the same time as the English version. (December 7, 2010)

Dhobi Ghat Debut Trailer

Aamir Khan Productions released a nearly four minute long trailer for Dhobi Ghat on Eid, November 17, 2010. Talking at a presser to reveal the first look of the film, debutant director Kiran Rao said it was not an easy task to put together the trailer as the film is not a plot based story but a slice of life film.



Synopsis

Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) is the story of 4 people from very different backgrounds, whose worlds intersect and leave them forever altered. As they find themselves drawn into compelling relationships, the city finds it's way into the crevices of their lives, separating them even as it brings them closer. Fragments of their experience - seen through a naive video diary, black and white photographic images and painting form a portrait of Mumbai and it's people bound together as they journey through longing, loneliness, loss and love


The film is inspired by real life social issues.

Aamir plays an art teacher and painter named Arun, who lives in a small studio apartment in some congested area of Mumbai city.

The film was shot at various locations of Mumbai. Prateik Babbar plays a washerman named Munna, the main protagonist in the film.

The story revolves around four characters which include Prateek, Aamir and two new girls which include NRI debutant Monica Dogra who plays Shai in the film.

Filming was done in the Mumbai city with hidden cameras to avoid catching public attention. In Monica Dogra's words: "It was exciting and harrowing at the same time. We would have to dodge crowds, drive around for an hour or two, and quickly get through a scene with cameras rolling. And the whole time, you’d have to stay in character because you weren’t sure what was being filmed when. But, when I saw the rushes, I was blown away by the authenticity of the footage. There were moments when I had no idea where my character ended and I began. I was there in these crowded, hot, intense situations, and I was discovering Mumbai - and loving it - in a way I never had before."

Official synopsis:

Set in Mumbai, the lives of four characters intersect at Dhobi Ghat.

In the teeming metropolis of Mumbai, four people separated by class and language are drawn together in compelling relationships. Shai, an affluent investment banker on a sabbatical, strikes up an unusual friendship with Munna, a young and beautiful laundry boy with ambitions of being a Bollywood actor, and has a brief dalliance with Arun, a gifted painter. As they slip away from familiar moorings and drift closer together, the city finds its way into the crevices of their inner worlds.


The film will be distributed by Aamir Khan's production house. Aamir says he is taking the risk of going solo for this film unlike Peepli Live and Delhi Belly which he is co-producing with UTV so that he has the artistic freedom.

“If I want to have the freedom, I must also be prepared to take the financial responsibility in my stride. Even if I lose money, it’s mine,” Aamir told HT. (July 18, 2010)

The film to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2010

"It hasn't been announced yet but I think Dhobhi Ghat will be at Toronto Festival," he said "I am very excited as it is a great platform for Kiran's film to be showcased," Aamir told the press at Indian Idol set on July 13.

The film has a taxi scene where the song Dil tadap tadap ke keh raha hai from Bimal Roy’s Madhumati plays on the cab's radio. The song was picturized on Dilip Kumar. Aamir Khan has approched Roy's son Joy for the rights of the song.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have signed Oscar winner scorer Gustavo Santaolalla of Argentina for the film.

Film's runtime: 100 minutes

The film was shot extensively in Mumbai.

Tushar Kanti Ray is the cinematographer and Nishant Radhakrishnan is the editor.

Isha Ahluwalia and Darshan Jalan are the costume designers.