[1][7][8] Gustavo Santaolalla was signed to compose the score and soundtrack of the film, which includes a song by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

[9] Dhobi Ghat had its world premiere in September 2010 at the Toronto International Film Festival[10] and was released on 21 January 2011 in cinemas.

The film being mainly tagged as an art and parallel cinema was critically well-received, although it was an average performer at the box office.

After attending an exhibition of his works, he meets Shai, an American banker who has come to Mumbai to devote time to her hobby, photography, and takes her back to his flat, where they have a one-night stand.

Shortly after, Zohaib “Munna” Shaikh, a dhobi (washerman) who dreams about getting a break in Bollywood, arrives to deliver Arun's laundry.

Arun continues watching Yasmin's tapes and learns more about her life, including that she has recently married a man who seems distant.

In the meantime, Munna shows Shai the different facets of Mumbai, including the dhobi ghaat, where he works as a launderer.

He and his family relocate to a new flat and Munna visits his brother's contact in the film industry to show him his portfolio.

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Academy Award-winning Gustavo Santaolalla and includes a song by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

[12] Two other songs included in the movie are "Ab Ke Sawaan Ghar Aazaa" which is a thumri in Raga Tilak Kamod sung by Begum Akhtar and "Dil Tadap Tadap Ke Kah Raha Hai Aa Bhi Ja" which is from the film Madhumati and sung by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar.

In an interview, Rao expressed that the film was meant to be a tribute to Mumbai and that she sought to reveal other sides of the city not often portrayed.

[15] The movie was shot at skycrapers under construction, Mohammed Ali markets, sea facing bungalows at Worli, Dhobi Ghat at Mahalaxmi, Chowpatty and Marine Drive.

[17] Rapid Eye Movies, a German distributor bought the rights for the film's theatrical release in Germany.

[22] Bhawana Somaaya, senior editor of Ticket Please gave the film a five out of five stars, stating that "Rao portrays the drudgery and the magnificence of the city in unforgettable imageries".

[25] Pratim D. Gupta of The Telegraph compared Dhobi Ghat with Satyajit Ray's Charulata in the way that the five characters, including Mumbai, operate like a string quintet.

It's probably the only city in the world where so many classes so closely merge into a common river of sorrows, beauty or hope: unaware of how each affects the other every day.

"[27] Anupama Chopra of NDTV gave the film three stars, stating, "If you are willing to have patience, Dhobi Ghat comes together nicely.