Bombay (1995) User Reviews (39)

Recommended

[frodeo · 9/10 · 17 August 2007]

First having heard the music and later having eyewitness information from the 1993 riots in Mumbai from my wife (who was in her early teens at the time), I sat and watched this movie in my home on what happened to be India's 60th Independence Day anniversary. I must admit I was stunned and baffled and all that, especially from the magnificent depiction of an impossible love story. The riot scenes in the second half of the film are also quite moving, but the end of the film lacks some of the momentum found elsewhere.

Nevertheless, this is a movie worth watching, especially in the company of Indians, since it contains a lot of symbolism hardly understandable to "us" foreigners.

Bombay was Great

[rajikoshy · 7/10 · 11 March 2005]

Bombay was something excellent, it was natural, it happened, more over every one played their part well, making it a success, even people who worked in the backstage. The Great Director choose his subjects well. Prakash Rai who was offered a small role....was excellent too..the budding star at that time.

You can also see the set, the expression of the actors who acts as the public, or who just appear once, they still do their best, you can also watch some scene where the crowd appears. great direction, he could manage all that too, we need more movies like these, we need more directors and actors like these, to make a great movie of time.

An excellent thoughtful film with good music

[raamjaane · 10/10 · 15 September 2001]

This is a film about the ethnic divide in India set during the 1994 Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai (Bombay).

The direction is slick, the script excellent and the songs brilliant. You will not often find an Indian Commercial film which is entertaining and has a thoughtful message.

While the ending might be idealistic and slightly unrealistic, it gives us hope that one day we will set aside our differences. The message is also not rammed down our throat, so overall go and watch this movie!

By Far One of the Best Hindi Films I've Seen

[punit04 · 7 November 2003]

This is a truly beautiful film. The story is essentially this: a Hindu man and a Muslim woman from a small village in India fall in love and decide to marry. The villagers disapprove of this marriage to the point that they are ready to incite a riot. Given the circumstances, the man and woman elope to Mumbai (Bombay.)

Everything is okay there, and the two have twins, Kamal Bano and Kabir Narayan (the names are a mix of Hindu and Muslim, to represent their heritage.) The grandfathers (while still in the village) naturally argue with each other and vow to make the children Hindu (or Muslim, depends on who wins.) Suddenly, the 1993 riots erupt, and the whole family is caught in the middle. The twins are almost burned alive, but they survive thanks to police intervention. Both grandfathers show up in Bombay (out of concern for their children and grandchildren) and continue to compete there.

When another riot ensues, and the Hindu grandfather (and grandson) are approached by a group of Muslim men, the Muslim grandfather arrives in the nick of time and tells the men "He is my brother." Later in the film, one of the twins is separated from the other and is taken in for about a day by a member of the "hijda" community (this is a community in India that is essentially composed of eunuchs or hermaphrodites, but they wear women's clothing.) In a conversation with one of the twins, the "hijda" says "Religion is a way to God." The child asks him, "Then why are all of these people killing each other?" To this the man replies, "I have no idea. And I've been thinking about it for a long time."

You don't necessarily have to be Indian to appreciate this film, but I think it helps. The underlying message is that "We (as residents of India) should be Indians first and Hindu/Muslim/whatever second. The film also conveys the message of tolerance and humanity. It is really an excellent film.

Strong Strong Strong, a wonderful movie...

[jonasjobbar · 10/10 · 21 July 2002]

Begins like a silly Indian love/dance movie and develops into the strongest, most emotional movie I have ever seen. I saw it in the Gothenburg film festival and I saw couples holding each other after the film finished (comforting each other) and a guy asked: " Do they have a crisis center set up to help us deal with the movie now?". Religious tensions and human conflicts is a hard subject (doing the right vs the wrong thing), wonderfully dealt with in this movie. A strong argument for peace and a colorful tale of recent Indian history. See it.

A perfect movie with no mistakes.

[sganeshkumar_1989 · 10/10 · 30 December 2005]

It is hard to make a good movie despite having a good story. For there are chances of making mistakes in the script or cinematography or music or direction.But Maniratnam has made a movie with no mistakes to find in it! Real magic! He did not make it that perfect even in'Thalapathi' or 'Roja' or even 'Nayagan'. Suitable music ,neat portrayal, nice story and over all a great movie!A perfect 10 to say.This deserved to win a national award, though it was not given. But still,it is the bestTamilfilm i had ever seen.Also it should have been a very big hit for its good content. A must see for all. The best from Maniratnam.I had watched it 5 times.

Piece de resistance!!

[srininet1 · 10/10 · 24 February 2001]

Wallah! What a movie. Shakes and stirs u till the final moment. I saw it and was amazed at how naturally ManiRathnam captures emotions and brings the whole theatre alive with Superlative Direction, Excellent Music, Super dialogues,etc.....!! Truly worth watching!!

Excellent movie

[bschandramohan · 10/10 · 15 July 2006]

A typical Mani ratnam movie with a warm beginning and after the interval has some good interesting storyline developing.

The initial romance between Arvind and Manisha is sweet and the second half where they get embroiled in the dirty politics leading to bomb blasts leads to interesting things. Though there seems to be some bloodspill shown, its not very harsh tone. Hospital scenes where people are searching for their missing ones is heart warming. Its a good communal movie which showcases that violence does not give any win and that if people unite, its stronger than what anti-socials can do.

Nazar gives a good performance, so do all the other people in the cast. A.R.Rahman's music is excellent and make a good collection.

The music

[dharmendrasonids · 9/10 · 16 December 2019]

Every time feel nostalgic while listening the music of BOMBAY

A powerful message indeed

[Squees · 7/10 · 28 June 2008]

When you mention the words 'Indian cinema' to most people, (and disturbingly, a large proportion of film fans) often the first reaction will be that of a smirk intrinsically linked with a conjuring thought of the 'Bollywood' industry.

Most people do not realise that Indian cinema as an industry is the second largest grossing cinema industry in the world, second only to the American giant that is Hollywood. Ever since the early days of the multiplex, Indian cinema has been dominating the cinematic machine, early films often dealt with social and economic strikes (mostly the 50's and before) with the Indian cinema moving more towards the romantic feature which most people associate in the mid 60's. As the decades passed by, the Indian film industry moved, as a whole, through several topics and thought provoking genres (of course a LOT of crap was released as well; this is the typical all singing all dancing 5 hour epic which most people associate Indian cinema with) until in the 90's, film makers finally started focusing on terrorism as a genre, and in particular the strife and violence engaged between Hindus and Muslims within the Tamil speaking area of India.

Bombay begins as your typical Indian romance; the protagonist male and female fall in love yet are separated by different religions and families. After a moving Eden like opening song number, the two work hard to stay together through their families approval, eventually moving away form their small villages and into the city of Bombay.

After an interval, the film takes a much darker tone, focusing primarily on the Bombay bombings and showing how the couple (now with children) are caught up within the racial attacks. Strikingly disturbing and realistic (one scene involves radicals pouring gasoline over the two crying children as they refuse to speak which religion they belong to) the film touches on dangerous soil as it shows the riots with no remorse or sugar coating. The lead actor delivers a compelling performance and in the end delivers an incredible speech in the middle of the riots, putting himself between the warring factions screaming 'I am neither Hindu or Muslim; I am Indian, we are all Indians!' A must watch for someone interested in good Indian cinema.

one of the best movies so far

[shraysahni2001 · 10/10 · 10 October 2008]

this is one of those movies that deserve so much more for what they have tried to show. Communal conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, how India(Bombay) suffered and burnt during the riots. The music is just AWESOME... A.R. Rehman is one of the most talented and gifted musicians of today. overall i rate this movie 10/10. just amazing. The movie is in a south Indian language dubbed in Hindi. a very sensitive issue that needs attention in India even in the present times. the movie also has a funny side to it in some parts between the in-laws. there are a thousand movies made in India every year but only a handful of them are worth a mention and this one is one of them. made with so much of sentiments to pass the point clearly and directly to the audience as they are the ones who can bring about a change in the thinking of the society and they better do.

Great love story with meaningful ending.

[T-27 · 7/10 · 6 July 2005]

This story of love and marriage between a Hindu man and Mospem woman was very well done. Even though I could not get the English subtitles to work on my DVD player, I was able to follow the plot with a little help from the package notes.

The portrayal of the Hindu/Moslem religious riots of 1992/3 was very well done. It was an excellent portrayal of the violence, horror, bloodshed and suffering in so many such acts of violence in too many time periods, for too many reasons, and between too many groups of people. The thing uppermost in my mind was how Christian fundamentalists could want to import such horrors and such suffering to the United States - but I guess Christian fundamentalists do not watch movies like this.

Totally crap

[manjits · 3/10 · 28 August 2005]

This one is among the worst Mani Ratnam movies I have seen. Not that Mani Ratnam is a great director in my opinion - he's just among the better ones in Bollywood full of third rate directors. But this movie has nothing to commend itself. The movie is supposed to be based on historical incidents, but there is no accuracy in any of the incidents depicted. I would rather read Times of India. It's a totally crap commercial movie, trying to find balance in the 1992/93 massacre, where there was no balance shown by Shiv Sena government or the police force in Mumbai. In a supposedly serious movie, there are unbelievable number of trash and irrelevant songs and dances. While the riot scenes are being shown, there is a background song on the virtues of unity and harmony. Total waste of 3 hours.

Spielberg, Listen

[reini-2 · 4 August 2001]

This movie is often compared to Spielberg's "Schindler's List", as the one and only movie which actually works in this context and how Spielberg could have made it to express his strong pathetic and political emotions. What a shame that "Bombay" haven't got such a big audience.

The true life epos tells us the story of the Muslim-Hindu conflict 1995 in Bombay from the viewpoint of a young Muslim-Hindu couple doomed to leave their home town and families. This movie was made in the south, in Madras, shortly after the riots, and was immediately synchronized in Bombay to Hindi for the big audience. During the next three hours (the typical hindi movie length) everything works out fine, until the last thirty minutes where the Bombay riots suddenly break up everything. Mani Ratnam is the one and only director how dares to bring a song (every Hindi movie is a musical) during the very realistic war scenes, where such a scene actually works. Scenes where you are immediately reminded to how you would have shaken your head or laughed if this was just "Schindler's List". Imagine the jews singing in the last 30 minutes. Or the Trier train dance scene (for which you have to see "Dil Se") cut to the end. Not so here. They sing about the cruelty of war. Stop fighting. Crying, laughing, singing, dying, very close together. Where Trier sinks into unbelievable and childish anti-dead sentence pathos, Ratnam is still with the people, full of positive power. Incredible. A must see from one of the most important directors world-wide.

this movie will make you a Hindi movie fan

[Kaptaan · 10/10 · 9 June 1999]

unless you are too closed minded to let your imagination run free. I must admit I hadn't watched a hindi film since seeing Sholay and Qurbani when I was just a small child. the fake punches and over the top storylines were too much to stomach watching a Hindi film. Until I happened to see Bombay with my Aunt and cousin. Seeing this film opened my eyes to Hindi films again. I've been a fan ever since. sure there are still a lot of over the top movies in the Hindi film genre, but the gems are the best. This movie is comparable to any movie I've seen in English. This is a must see film. Great story.

An amazing touch of love and patriotism

[spanchakshari · 10/10 · 11 September 2020]

This movie is definitely one of maniratnam's classic with best acting, amazing music, memorable characters

Cant get better beyond this!

[saivenkat02 · 10/10 · 24 August 2021]

A movie that shakes you to the core emotionally! And aided by what is classified as "exceptionally great music". When brilliant film making marries with exceptional music score, the result is BOMBAY!! The Mani Ratnam - AR Rahman combo already set things on fire with Roja, but what they accomplish with Bombay is breathtaking. I am writing this review 26 years after this movie released, and in my 100's of times watching this, never have I experienced a boring moment and the nostalgia keeps getting stronger each time I watch it!

Perhaps the Best work of Fiction depicting Hindu-Muslim 1993 Riots and it's Communal Harmony..

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 8/10 · 19 June 2020]

Bombay (1995) :

Perhaps the Best work of Fiction depicting Hindu-Muslim 1993 Riots and it's Communal Harmony. Arvind Swami, Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman, the Classic Roja trio does it again with new sensational joining Manisha Koirala. Among all those films about Hindu-Muslim 1993 Riots i have seen, Bombay is perhaps the best work of Fiction included in real events. The topper of the list is none other than 'Black Friday' which was a non-fiction project. Bombay is a story of an eccentric couple, a Hindu man marries a muslim girl against the restrictions of guardians and settles in Bombay city. Later, the Babri Masjid incident make Bombay go frantic and riot between Hindus and Muslims takes over. The fictional characters of the film tries to make themselves look more genuine and communal friendly in the first half of the film. The love story, married life and birth of childrens almost wastes the first half and then Bombay truly goes on Riot mode in last 40 minutes. Mani Ratnam gets almost everything right from situations to consequences to human emotions to communal harmony and humanity emancipation. Bombay is more clever and cleaner film than his 'Roja', i don't have any complaints about the screenplay and structure as i had with Roja. AR Rahman goes on to deliver another quality music album besides the fact that Bombay lacks patriotic and harmony theme song. However, all the songs in the Film are fantastic. Choreography of the songs is unexpectedly brilliant. Every song uses the situations and moments correctly. Arvind Swami proves his metal again and Manisha Koirala shines equally despite a normal and sober character. Her presence in the climax scenes feels less and that's where I want to bash Mani Ratnam, not her because it's not her mistake. Rather than calling it a Classic I would say, Bombay is morever a Social Classic and far more important film than all other films of it's time. Mani Ratnam made this film exactly on time when it was needed despite the slight fear of the controversies it could have created. I can feel how people would have reacted and accepted Bombay in 1995 because many Indian citizens were still in shock of the consequences of riots. Dialogues will give you Goosebumps. Bombay doesn't really fall short of anything in its genre but if i really have to ask for something more which was missing then it's more Hard-hitting and Burning Climax. The film doesn't have any character of Saviour who should have at least tried to stop these things, it just goes on an goes on without anyone even trying to stop or restrict it. The other missing thing as i told you Heroine's presence in the last moments is too blur. As a Director Mani Ratnam has made a Powerful Social Film that might have brought change in some people's evil thinking for sure. I have seen his 5 films till date (Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Guru, Raavan) and Bombay is by Far his Best Film. This is not a Classic but little more than it.

RATING - 8.5/10*

By - #samthebestest

An outstanding film on riots: brilliant in story and technical aspects.....

[SumanShakya · 9/10 · 30 August 2016]

"Bombay" raised a lot of controversies and saw a commercial success during its release. The film sets an example of a technical brilliance and superb handling of a heart touching story for which it stands out as one of the best achievements of 90s, which got pretty forgotten in the usual buddy buddy movies like "Dilwale Dulhaniyan Le Jayenge" or "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai." The harshness and the human sentiments found in this movie haven't been so far achieved to this date.

The film is set under the Hindu Muslim riots enraged in 1992-1993 which engulfed many innocent people and families. One such family shown in the movie is that of Arvind Swamy, a Hindu, and Manisha Koirala, a Muslim who get married despite the fury of their families as they belong to different religions. They have moved to Bombay from a small village of south India, and have a twin sons. The riot shatters the family, kills the parents in laws, and the couple search the lost children under the horror of riots where the people are slain in the light of day, houses burned and goods looted. The film ends with the end of the riots and uniting of the family.

The horrors of the riots that mutilated the innocents were the best realized parts of the film. The film just disgusts showing the inhumane activities done in the name of religions, and criticizes the leaders who are killing hundreds of innocents enraging such riots. The film nowhere becomes mild in showing this, for which the film deserves a full commendation. Besides, the film remains outstanding for the brilliant performances and technical aspects. Manisha Koirala looks pretty, innocent, and just gives a beautiful and touching performance. So is Arvind Swami. The acting of Master Harsha and Hriday is full of innocence and touches you. Either the depiction of the beautiful village near the sea beaches or the terror of the riots, or the choreography of the song numbers, the film is excellent in every aspect of techniques.

Rating: 4 stars out of 4

Mani Ratnam Masterpiece

[hardipvadher · 10/10 · 12 May 2019]

One of my favourite movies ever Bombay(1995)...

Bombay movie ma love story + Polical issue ne sari rite dekhadyo che.Back ground music,Songs really amezing...

Awesome

[silvan-desouza · 6/10 · 17 March 2014]

Mani Ratnam after ROJA came back with BOMBAY yet again the film is a tamil film dubbed in Hindi but it's a great film. The film has a good storyline and also mirrors the true story of the riots happened in 1992-1993. The film got tremendous acclaim and awards too. The film keeps you involved throughout, one scene worth recalling is when the riots break apart and both the eniemies finally save each other. Though the end is idealistic but still evokes good reactions

Direction is amazing Music is great, Kehna Hi Kya is superb, Tu Hi Re and other songs are fab

Arvind Swamy is amazing in his role, Manisha Koirala is great too Nasser is amazing, Prakash Raj has a brief role and is okay rest are okay

The dubbing does seem odd at places but yet a good job overall

A relevant Movie

[arkyahere · 9/10 · 5 October 2019]

A movie like this is always relevant regardless which period or time or era we are living. Keeps us reminding our humanity still needs wake up calls. I am just wondering if a movie like this was made now a days.. I dont know if it was even released!!!!

Beautiful music.

[riddhimaakaritu · 7/10 · 29 September 2020]

Best part: Music & Songs. <3

And for a 1995 film, it is very courageous. With very good intentions.

But thing is I am so saturated with this topic by current news & events that it disgusts me now. I don't understand now and never will that how can a human be so blinded by hate. This topic just exhausts me now.

A wonderful movie

[gayathri-kanagasabai · 3/10 · 28 April 2007]

This one of the best effort took by Maniratnam who has highlighted the potential of the Tamil film makers.It's a movie reflected Hindu_Muslim conflict through a strong screenplay. Maniratnam's thought was supported by high technical assistance and the superb music by A.R.Rahman.This film shows how a tragedy arise from a single event made living in such a large city a risk full attempt.Aravinthswamy,Manisha and the two little kids expressed the feelings in a more realistic way. I think the director has been successful to leave the people who watched the movie with a feeling that everyone born just to enjoy every moment they live, not to waste it through horrible hatred feelings.It leaves a message that "HARMONY IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS".