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.

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.

Sameer "Sam" Acharya, a male nurse and Kunal Chauhan, a fashion photographer are fun-loving, womanising bachelors in Miami.

The cast is listed below:[3][4] During the production of Karan Johar's ensemble musical romantic drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), Tarun Mansukhani conceived a film about 3 friends who share an apartment.

"[5][7] Manuskhani soon realised that Bollywood had explored friendship, live–in relationships, marriage and divorce many times, and he wanted to do something different for his debut film.

[8] Aishwarya Rai was originally offered the lead role, but she refused it because she did not want to end up with another man in her first film with her husband (Bachchan) after their marriage.

[9] Saif Ali Khan refused the role of Kunal because he was uncomfortable with a husband and wife (Bachchan and Rai) playing the other two leads.

Since the film was set in Miami, he decided on a holiday look; Chopra's character, a fashion editor, would wear stylish, chic clothes.

[15] Malhotra said that although the actress prefers grey, black and white, he decided to experiment with bright solid colours like "the ones in the citrus family.

[17] Unfamiliar with Miami culture, Aki Narula spent time there before filming began to learn how Miamians dressed[15] and gave Bachchan long cargo shorts and cotton shirts in bright colours.

[16] Malhotra and Narula collaborated on the colour palette: "If Manish would give Priyanka yellow, then I would go for a green for John and a pink for Abhishek.

He chose brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci for Deol (the Verve editor), giving him sleek suits with short jackets and skinny pants with narrow bottoms.

[15] For Sushmita Mukherjee, who played Chopra's aunt, Narula chose animal prints and diamonds, pearls, silver and gold: "When we shopped for her it was like 'oh god, this is so tacky, let's buy it, or oh, I hate it, it'll be fabulous'".

Mahal assisted Sharmishta Roy for four years, worked with her on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and became friends with Tarun Mansukhani.

[4] The item number "Shut Up & Bounce" was shot in Miami in early April 2008;[11] "Desi Girl", with the three lead actors, was filmed in September.

[25] The album contains six original songs with vocals by Vishal Dadlani, Shankar Mahadevan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Master Saleem, Shreya Ghoshal, Amanat Ali and Shaan.

[45] Dostana received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, the chemistry between its three leads and its direction, humour, music, visuals, costumes and style.

It irreverently normalizes a topic that has been virtually absent from screens in India, and does so using contemporary Bollywood's best not-so-secret weapon: star power.

"[47] David Chute of LA Weekly called it "a pure star-vehicle, gliding along on charm and timing – exactly the sort of comfort cinema Hollywood now seems incapable of making.

"[49] The Times of India also rated it 4 out of 5: "It introduces the most outrageous scenes in popular Hindi cinema and manages to get away with it because it's all done with an infectious zest and effervescence that keeps the ribs tickling.

"[50] Pratim D. Gupta of The Telegraph rated the film 7.5 out of 10, writing that Dostana "can make you laugh out loud and also strike an emotional chord.

"[52] For Hindustan Times, film critic Khalid Mohamed gave Dostana a 3.5 out of 5 rating: "Good taste, pop colour Miami locations, high-end costumes, make-up styling and the A-grade Dharma Productions values add up to a zingy entertainer".

[53] Rajeev Masand also gave the film a positive review, calling it "a barrel of non-stop laughs": "It puts the fun back into the movies.

"[54] Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu noted that Dostana "largely reflects a society in transition and begins to address the issues of acceptance within the Indian framework of marriage": "Dostana is great mass entertainment manipulating the inherent homophobia of a country on the threshold of change, but what's significant is that it will bring parents and children together to share laughs over alternative sexuality and related issues that will no longer remain in the closet.

According to Sen, it would set "an already-fragile mindset of Indians" a decade back in its attitudes: "We in India haven't yet matured to sensitive, normalized portrayals of homosexuality, and this film continues to paint them as freaks of nature.

[65] About the gay-rights movement, Namita Bhandare of Mint wrote that Dostana "will also shatter more glass ceilings, make homosexuality a little less taboo and bring conversation about gays and sexual orientation out in the open": "Here's a film that is made within the parameters and, therefore, limitations of mainstream cinema.

[68] Karan Johar said that after Dostana's release, he received thousands of emails from "kids, youngsters [and] teenagers" thanking him for making the film because their parents are now aware of homosexuality.

[71] The film influenced fashion trends in India,[72] with its stars' costumes becoming popular[72] (particularly Chopra's silver sari in "Desi Girl").