Dostana (2008 film)

Dostana
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Tarun Mansukhani
Written by	Story and Screenplay: Tarun Mansukhani Dialogues: Anvita Dutt Guptan
Produced by	Hiroo Yash Johar Karan Johar
Starring	Abhishek Bachchan John Abraham Priyanka Chopra
Cinematography	Ayananka Bose
Edited by	Manan Ajay Sagar
Music by	Songs: Vishal–Shekhar Score: Salim–Sulaiman
Production company	Dharma Productions
Distributed by	Yash Raj Films
Release date	14 November 2008 (2008-11-14)
Running time	139 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Budget	₹40 crore[2]
Box office	₹87.15 crore[2]

Dostana (transl. Friendship) is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Dharma Productions. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. Set in Miami, the film follows two men who pretend to be gay to share an apartment with a girl; eventually, both fall in love with her.

Mansukhani conceived the film as a tale of 3 friends living together, drawing inspiration from his own experience. Wanting to add something different to the script, he later decided to introduce homosexuality, which he thought was unexplored by Indian films, to shed light on the issue for the Indian audience. Manish Malhotra designed Chopra's costumes, and Aki Narula designed costumes for the rest of the cast. The soundtrack was composed by Vishal–Shekhar; Kumaar and Vishal Dadlani wrote the lyrics, while Salim–Sulaiman composed the background score. Principal photography took place in Miami, Florida over a two-month period in the first half of 2008. Dostana was the first mainstream Indian film with a gay element and has been credited for exploring a topic largely ignored by Hindi cinema.

Dostana was released on 14 November 2008 to positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, the chemistry between its three leads and its direction, music, cinematography, humor, costumes and style. A box-office success, it grossed over ₹871 million, becoming one of the highest grossing Hindi films of 2008. At the 54th Filmfare Awards, Dostana received 9 nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor (Bachchan), Best Supporting Actress (Kher) and Best Music Director (Vishal–Shekhar).

Dostana was influential in creating fashion trends in India, with Chopra's silver sari, worn in the song "Desi Girl", becoming popular. Abraham's yellow trunks, Chopra's golden swimsuit, and the actors' looks and style also received considerable attention and were popular with youngsters. Dostana is regarded as one of the most stylish and trendsetting of Indian films, with Filmfare ranking it #1 in a 2013 poll.