The fashion world meets the underworld in BOOM, written and directed by Kaizad Gustad (BOMBAY BOYS) and produced by Ayesha Shroff under the banner of Quest Films.<br><br>
The line-up is impressive? Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Jaaved Jaaferi, Madhu Sapre, Padma Lakshmi, Katrina Kaif, Seema Biswas, Zeenat Aman and Hollywood star Bo Derek, the film has been shot in Mumbai, Dubai and Sri Lanka in 63 days flat.<br><br>
BOOM revolves around three sexy supermodels, Anu Gaekwad (played by Madhu Sapre), Sheila Bardez (Padma Lakshmi) and Rina Kaif (Katrina Kaif), who live and work together in India and belong to the international world of fashion. They are the best in their field.<br><br>
A prestigious, diamond-encrusted fashion show set against the spectacular backdrop of the Gateway of India, goes horribly wrong. Anu trips on the ramp, much to her public embarrassment and along with her two model friends, Sheila and Rina, she even picks up a fight with another model on the ramp itself.<br><br>
In the ensuing scuffle, this model?s hair opens up and hundreds of glittering stolen diamonds, which were due to be smuggled out of the country, fall on the ramp, only to be snatched by the paparazzi and celebrities alike.<br><br>
Abdul 50/50 alias Chote Mia (Jackie Shroff), Mumbai?s notorious gangster, who got his name because he takes 50% of every deal - the diamonds were stolen by his men and were due to be smuggled to Dubai the night of the fashion show. In Dubai, they were to be handed over to his elder brothers in the syndicate.<br><br>
Cut-Piece Saleem Suiting-Shirting alias Medium Mia (Gulshan Grover) is the go-between, the middle brother; not too small, not big enough yet. He handles the business side of their underworld operations, answering to Bade Mia (Amitabh Bachchan), the kingpin, the father-figure and the most notorious gangster on India?s Most Wanted list.<br><br>
And Bade Mia wants the diamonds back, COME WHAT MAY. The task is set and passed on to Medium, who in turn passes it on to Abdul 50/50. ?Get the diamonds back, or else??.<br><br>
The drama builds up? The stolen diamonds are priceless antiques and have to be recovered by the gangsters from Anu Gaekwad and her two best friends and fellow models, Sheila and Rina, as the gangsters hold them responsible for their disappearance. <br><br>
What follows is a plot-driven game of cat and mouse; hide and seek. Will the three gangsters outwit the three models or will the models use their myriad charms to get away? Or will it all just take a twist?<br><br>
<b>BEHIND THE SCENES</b><br><br>
* Ace designer Anna Singh has given each of the characters in BOOM a distinctive look. ?The looks were decided by Kaizad and Anna well in advance,? informs producer Ayesha Shroff. While Amitabh Bachchan sports white hair, green eyes, tanned skin and wears variations of full white throughout the film, Jackie Shroff is always in black, sporting a pair of trend-setting glares.
But it is the flamboyant bad man Gulshan Grover, who gets to wear all the colourful outfits. In fact, Gullu?s name in the film happens to be ?Cut-Piece Saleem Suiting-Shirting?? though that?s not because of his outfits? but for his unique (!) ability to cut his enemies to pieces without touching their suiting-shirting.<br><br>
* The director of the film, Kaizad Gustad, is best defined in his producer?s words. ?Kaizad?s a maniac,? quips Ayesha Shroff. ?At least he works like one,? she adds. Minus his famous hair locks now, Kaizad is still very much the non-stop workaholic that he has been since BOMBAY BOYS? he?s non-tiring, passionate about his work and also backs it up with some brilliant execution on celluloid. ?If he had his way, he?d work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,? quips old-friend Jaaved Jaaferi.<br><br>
Kaizad?s written the script of BOOM too (on which he worked for two years). ?He knew exactly what he wanted, so no time was wasted during shooting,? says Ayesha Shroff.<br><br>
* While acclaimed international cinematographer Himman Dhamija has handled the camera for BOOM, the music is composed by Mercury Award winner Talvin Singh and Sandeep Chowta.