Aishwarya Rai Reflects on Dhoom's Iconic Kiss From Controversy to Context

In 2004, Dhoom revolutionized Bollywood with its action-packed storyline and became a cult classic, thanks in part to its sizzling chemistry between Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan. The film’s iconic lip-lock scene between the two stars stirred considerable discussion.

Aishwarya Rai, reflecting on the scene in a 2016 Filmfare interview, noted that by the time of Dhoom, kissing on screen was not unusual for her. She explained that the kiss was treated as part of the narrative rather than a gratuitous moment, emphasizing the scene’s context and dialogue rather than relying on dramatic music. In a 2012 interview with the Daily Mail, Aishwarya candidly mentioned that the kiss led to legal notices from some who were uncomfortable with her portrayal, despite her longstanding reputation as a role model.