Bombay Boys(1998)
Bombay Boys is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language crime comedy-drama film written and directed by Kaizad Gustad. The cast includes Naveen Andrews, Rahul Bose, Alexander Gifford, Naseeruddin Shah, Tara Deshpande, and Roshan Seth. The story follows three young men of Indian descent raised abroad—Krishna from New York, Ricardo from Sydney, and Xerxes from London—who converge in Mumbai. Their separate quests for stardom, a missing brother, and self-discovery entangle them with gangsters, a corrupt filmmaker, and the city's chaotic underworld. The film is notable for its satirical take on Bollywood and its bold treatment of homosexuality and drug use, which led to censorship and protests. It received mixed reviews but has gained a cult following for its dark humor and honest portrayal of modern India. The film was released in Canada on September 13, 1998.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1998
- Director
- Kaizad Gustad
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Rating
- 5.3/10
Storyline
Three young Indian men raised abroad arrive in Mumbai with different dreams. Krishna wants to be a Bollywood star. Ricardo is searching for his long-lost brother. Xerxes just wants to find himself. They share a flat and quickly get pulled into a world of gangsters, fake film projects, and dangerous love. The city tests them in ways they never expected.
“Three boys. One city. No plan.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was shot guerrilla-style without permits in real Mumbai locations, including the famous Leopold Cafe.
- It was the first mainstream Hindi film to openly portray a gay character, played by actor Naseeruddin Shah.
- Director Kaizad Gustad made his debut with this film and also played a small role as a film director.
- The movie features a cameo by famous Bollywood villain Gulshan Grover as a character named 'Don Mastana'.
- It was one of the earliest Indian films to show three non-resident Indians returning to explore modern Mumbai.
- The soundtrack includes a song by the Pakistani rock band Junoon, which was rare for Bollywood at the time.
- Despite its cult status today, the film was a commercial failure when it was first released in theaters.