Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- glamorous
- date night
- bollywood movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's performances, three-lead chemistry, humor, direction, music, and stylish presentation, while noting its boundary-pushing treatment of gayness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kunal and Sameer pose as a gay couple to secure Neha's apartment, generating the film's central comic misunderstandings.
The film foregrounds gayness as a comic and social topic in a major Bollywood production despite its protagonists' deception.
Miami settings, costumes, songs, visual styling, and the three leads' star chemistry define its accessible commercial appeal.
The audience understands that Kunal and Sameer are pretending to be gay while Neha, Murli, and others interpret their behavior at face value.
Films like Dostana, and why
Kal Ho Naa Ho
glamorous romantic comedy driven by mistaken identity, friendship, and charismatic ensemble chemistry
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
bollywood romantic comedy blending friendship, family expectations, musical spectacle, and emotional rivalry
Some Like It Hot
fish out of water romantic comedy with gender performance, deception, and broad comic energy
The Birdcage
lgbtq-themed comedy using staged identity and social misunderstanding to create romance and satire
Movie Details
- Director
- Tarun Mansukhani
- Release Date
- 2008-11-13
- Runtime
- 141 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (174)
Cast
- Abhishek Bachchan
- John Abraham
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas
- Kirron Kher
- Boman Irani
- Bobby Deol
- Shrey Bawa
- Sushmita Mukherjee
- Monika Gaba
- Harry Key
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dostana about?
- Two womanizing Indian men fake a relationship in Miami to rent an apartment, only to find their friendship tangled in a glamorous romantic rivalry.
- What is Dostana like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dostana as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dostana violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Dostana.
- What did critics think of Dostana?
- Critics broadly praised the film's performances, three-lead chemistry, humor, direction, music, and stylish presentation, while noting its boundary-pushing treatment of gayness.
- Which films are like Dostana?
- Films with a similar feel include Kal Ho Naa Ho, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Some Like It Hot, and The Birdcage.
- How long is Dostana?
- Dostana runs 141 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dostana?
- In United States, Dostana streams on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads.
