The post-production works began simultaneously and were completed within four months, with pending visual effects and graphics process, which were resumed after the COVID-19 lockdown due to the second wave of the pandemic, in September 2021.
[7] The film received mixed reviews from critics, while praising Aaryan's performance and Madhvani's direction, they pointed out the cliched plot and dialogues.
He takes it as a prank call but watches in shock as the caller follows through and detonates explosives that cause the bridge to collapse, killing innocent people and trapping others.
Instead, he sets up a makeshift television studio from his radio station, and negotiates with his former boss, the ratings-obsessed news producer, Ankita Malaskar, to get his position back.
The terrorist, who claims to be Raghubeer Mhata, a 50-something construction worker who lost three of his co-workers in a senseless industrial accident while fixing the bridge, says the families of the victims weren't compensated and demands a public apology from Minister Jaydev Patil.
This angers Ankita, who leaks information of Arjun having accepted a bribe to cover up the news of the construction workers losing their lives while repairing the bridge, which had led to him being demoted.
Arjun is gravely injured and realises that the caller is actually Raghubeer's son Anand, who wants to avenge the death of his father and coworkers, and that he has been calling from his very building.
[9][10] However, in a turn of developments, Kheterpal opted out of the project and it was later pitched by Ronnie Screwvala of RSVP Movies, with Ram Madhvani directing the film.
[11] Madhvani initially planned to present the feature as a female-centric film, referencing his previous works: Neerja (2016) and the web series Aarya (2020).
He initially wrote the script with Taapsee Pannu in mind, but could not approach her for the film,[12] and later Kriti Sanon was also considered for the project, who also refused the offer without giving a convincing reason.
[15][16] The film featured Aaryan as the main lead, essaying the role of a news reporter named Arjun Pathak,[17][18] who runs against time to save the city.
[citation needed] Yami Gautam was initially reported to play the character of Arjun's wife,[19] but she opted out of the film citing date clashes and was replaced by Mrunal Thakur.
[28] Adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols, no outsiders were allowed inside the hotel and the entire unit was asked to stay put during the period, thus creating a bio-bubble of sorts.
During the final day of the shoot held in outdoors, a rooftop scene featuring a helicopter was erected at green screen in a barren land.
Other works such as digital intermediate and color grading, simultaneously progressed within the same month, so that the team could be ready with the final copy of the film within 15 days.
[30] The soundtrack and score for the film are composed by Vishal Khurana, who previously collaborated with Ram Madhvani in Neerja (2016) and the streaming television series Aarya (2020).
The film featured only one song titled "Khoya Paaya" which was sung by Amit Trivedi and Delraaz Bunshah and written by Puneet Sharma.
[70] Shubhra Gupta from The Indian Express gave the film 1 star out of 5 and wrote, "Even the worst TV channels in real life with their shrieking guests and poisonous debates have more drama than the goings-on in this fictional Bharosa 24/7.
"[71] Writing for the same publication, Rohan Naahar stated "Equally angry at the corrupt politicians who exploit the common person and the greedy news media that enables them, the film captures the mood of the nation.
"[77] Bollywood Hungama gave 3 out of 5 stars and stated it as an "edge of the seat thriller that boasts of fine performances (particularly Aaryan's)", but criticised the second half.
[78] Stutee Ghosh from The Quint website gave the fim a positive review with a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and said, "The compact runtime and performances of Kartik Aryan makes the film watchable.
"[79] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu wrote "The disturbing thoughts swim in the conscience as one could clearly hear the sound of social implosion in Ram Madhvani's compelling thriller, lined with commentary on media ethics".
[80] Sify-based critic Sonia Chopra wrote "Dhamaka explores how class inequality, constantly brushed under the carpet and normalized, is bound to explode in one way or the other.
"[81] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com gave 2.5 stars and stated "Dhamaka doesn't always hit the right buttons and Kartik Aaryan is a puny choice for a role of enormous calibre and incessant focus".