20 Years of Dus: The Spy Thriller That Came Before Tiger, Pathaan, and War
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Twenty years ago, on July 8, 2005, director Anubhav Sinha brought the ambitious, sophisticated, and polished action thriller Dus to Hindi cinema. At a time when Bollywood was still hesitant about exploring big espionage plots, Dus was a rare hit spy thriller when it was released, a genre that wouldn't gain popularity for another ten years. The film gives a glimpse into the aspirations of Indian action cinema in the early 2000s, when fast-paced action sequences were the norm and spies weren't yet clichéd, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
Race against time
As time ran out and the nation's security was at risk, Dus pursued Siddhant Dheer's (Sanjay Dutt) special counter-terrorism unit as they worked against the clock to thwart a massive terror strike planned by the mysterious Jamwal. Although it had all the characteristics of a global spy thriller, including double agents, encrypted communications, high-speed chases, and the danger of global annihilation, the movie was converted into a Hindi film style that was better suited for romantic comedies and family dramas.
In the past, only war dramas or jingoistic action movies dared to broach issues of national security. Dus's environment, which included a cosmopolitan metropolis full of spies, technologically adept terrorists, and counter-operations, was one of its unique features. The notion of a select secret task force with codenames like ATC appeared futuristic and daring at a time when Bollywood was primarily focused on national stories of good versus evil.
A group of actors that performed well
Dus' appeal was enhanced by the inclusion of actors such as Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, Zayed Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Esha Deol, and Dia Mirza. The picture was given a sense of purpose and urgency by the unique mindset that each actor brought to their role.
The movie gained its emotional resonance from Abhishek's portrayal of the younger, impulsive officer Shashank, while Dutt's calm and seasoned depiction of Siddhant added to the film's gravitas. The friendly buddy-cop relationship that would develop in future franchise thrillers like War and Tiger Zinda Hai was partially caused by the team's camaraderie, which included Aditi (Shilpa Shetty) and Aditya Singh (Zayed).
Legendary music and high-octane action
For its time, Bollywood's Dus was a sophisticated action picture. The movie featured intense chase sequences, precise editing, and a clear millennium glow, and it was filmed in both India and Canada. Dus Bahane Karke Le Gaye Dil, the title track, made a significant contribution and became one of the decade's biggest hits. Its subsequent recreation in Baaghi 3 (2020) provided additional proof of the track's lasting cultural influence.
Although some reviews did point out the occasional sloppy editing or illogical plot points, the film's ambition was widely recognized. Thus, he had the guts to travel west and take ideas from well-known Hollywood spy thrillers like Enemy of the State and Mission: Impossible. In a business where most action movies focused on war or went all masala, this was a daring step.
The genre that came after it
Due to the subsequent explosion in the genre, Dus is still relevant today. The spy thriller genre in Bollywood has established itself, from Ek Tha Tiger (2012) to movies like Baby (2015), Phantom (2015), Raazi (2018), War (2019), Pathaan (2023), and Tiger 3 (2023). With their enormous budgets and worldwide distribution, these movies were able to capitalize on the demand for action-packed, mission-driven stories with a touch of geopolitical mystery.
But Dus set the stage. Filmmakers and studio executives recognized the demand for intelligent, stylized action thrillers. It brought mainstream viewers ideas like sleeper cells, surveillance technology, and homeland security within the well-known framework of Bollywood music and drama.
So, his legacy
The sad, unfinished version of Dus remains in the background as well. Prior to his untimely death in the late 1990s, the late director Mukul S. Anand had intended for Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt to appear in a movie with the working title Dus. Although the plotlines were different, Anubhav Sinha's 2005 remake was almost a spiritual successor, retaining the core principles of high-stakes espionage fiction.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, let's not forget that Dus was more than just an action picture with a well-known soundtrack; it was also a pioneering work that was ahead of its time.
The genesis of Bollywood espionage
Hence, as can be seen in retrospect, he walked in order for other people to run. As Indian film continues to create enormous spy universes and multi-film franchises, it may be time to recognize Dus as the origin tale of Bollywood espionage.
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