Dhoomam
Dhoomam
- -Avinash wants to quit his marketing job at a top cigarette company, but it comes with consequences, Dhoomam is a thriller that delves into the dark underbelly of the cigarette industry through the story of Avinash, a marketing professional who faces life-threatening consequences after deciding to quit his job at a prominent tobacco company. As Avinash navigates a perilous situation with his wife, the film explores themes of corporate greed, ethical dilemmas, and personal redemption, all set against a backdrop that feels reminiscent of 90s thrillers but struggles to resonate with contemporary audiences.
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Movie OTT
Nearly a year after its theatrical release, Dhoomam is receiving another opportunity on OTT. In commemoration of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Hombale Films will premiere the film on their official YouTube channel, aiming for broader accessibility.
Movie Review
Dhoomam: A Dated Thriller on the Cigarette Industry
Dhoomam attempts to tackle the evils of the cigarette business through the story of Avinash, a marketing professional played by Fahadh Faasil, who wants to quit his job at a top cigarette company. Despite its noble intention of delivering a socially relevant message, the film feels outdated both in subject matter and storytelling, reminiscent of thrillers from the 90s like John Grisham’s The Runaway Jury.
Fahadh Faasil brings his usual charisma to the role of Avinash, a smooth-talking marketing guy who finds himself and his wife, Divya (Aparna Balamurali), in a life-threatening situation after he decides to quit his job. The film begins with an incongruous scene involving Army interrogators questioning a Chinese spy, but quickly shifts into thriller mode as Avinash and Divya are attacked in their car and end up stranded on a deserted hillside. With only 24 hours to fulfill the demands of their mysterious hijacker, Avinash races against time to secure ransom money and save their lives.
The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, revealing that Avinash wanted to leave his job due to the company’s unethical practices, prioritizing profits over people’s health and targeting youth to expand their market. Despite this promising setup, the script, penned by much-awarded Kannada writer-director Pawan Kumar, fails to deliver. At 150 minutes, the film drags on with a predictable and outdated storyline that the talented cast, including Roshan Mathew and Vineeth, cannot elevate.
Dhoomam struggles to maintain suspense and engagement, feeling at least a decade behind the times in both its message and execution. While the intention to address social issues through entertainment is commendable, the film’s focus on smoking feels out of sync with more pressing contemporary concerns like environmental hazards, communalism, or drug abuse.
Ultimately, Dhoomam is a disappointing thriller that fails to live up to the high expectations set by its talented team, delivering an overlong and outdated narrative that doesn’t resonate with today’s audiences.
