Team Cinemaholic
Bollywood hasn’t produced many great films in the first third of the year. Except for a couple films — ‘Jolly LLB 2’ and ‘Trapped’ — most of them were disappointment. Will anything change in the remaining two-thirds of the year. We certainly hope so. Let’s look at some of the promising sounding films that are going to release in the next 8 months.
10. Tubelight
Release Date: 23rd June
Director: Kabir Khan
Starring: Salman Khan, Zhu Zhu, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub
Why Anticipate? If we consider Kabir Khan’s filmography, ‘Kabul Express’ (about war-torn Afghanistan) remains his most honest film and the news of him making a film on 1962 Indo-China war gives an impression that he has the required ability to pull it off. Given he lends it the same honesty which he did to ‘Kabul Express’ without falling prey to the trappings of directing a superstar.
9. Chef
Release Date: 14th July
Director: Raja Krishna Menon
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sobhita Dhulipala, Padmapriya
Why Anticipate? : Jon Favreau’s ‘Chef’ isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, but it still is a very well made feel-good movie, and it would be interesting to see how it is adapted into an Indian setting. Raja Krishna Menon impressed us last year with ‘Airlift’ and it remains to be seen if he can recreate the magic.
8. Toilet Ek Prem Katha
Release Date: 2nd June
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar
Why Anticipate? The film’s storyline appears to be a bit similar to a Tamil film ‘Joker’ which released last year to heavy critical acclaim. Since there is no confirmation from the makers regarding the inspiration, we would refrain from calling it a remake. Nonetheless, the casting of Akshay Kumar with Bhumi Pednekar is enough to leave us grinning with joy.
7. Hindi Medium
Release Date: 12th May
Director: Saket Choudhary
Starring: Irrfan, Deepak Dobriyal, Saba Qamar
Why Anticipate? Saket Choudhary (‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’ fame) is helming this project which is about a couple who try to find their place among Delhi’s elite. It has Irrfan and Deepak Dobriyal in it who will share the screen space after 12 long years. Let’s leave it at that.
6. Padmavati
Release Date: 17th November
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone
Why Anticipate? Bhansali and team swept us off our feet with ‘Bajirao Mastani’. With ‘Rani Padmavati’, the stakes as well as the expectations will be even higher. Ranveer Singh (who was exceptional as Bajirao) plays Alaudin Khilji, a ruler from Delhi who invades Mewar to capture Ratan Singh’s wife, the exquisite Padmavati (Deepika Padukone). Ratan Singh is being played by Shahid Kapoor – his first collaboration with Bhansali. Exciting enough!
5. Simran
Release Date: 15th September
Director: Hansal Mehta
Starring: Kangana Ranaut
Why Anticipate? : Hansal Mehta’s last feature ‘Aligarh’ was a regular fixture in most of the “best of” lists of 2016, and the talented director returns with a drama starring Kangana Ranaut. Not much about the film is known, but considering the roll that Mehta is on with ‘Shahid’, ‘City Lights’ and ‘Aligarh’, we are looking forward to this one.
4. Secret Superstar
Release Date: 4th August
Director: Advait Chandan
Starring: Zaira Wasim, Meher Vij, Aamir Khan
Why Anticipate? : The only reason why this movie finds a mention in this list is because it an Aamir Khan Productions feature, starring Khan (albeit probably not in the lead). Now if you are wondering why this matters, take a look at the movies produced by Aamir Khan Productions till date – ‘Lagaan’, ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Dhobi Ghat’, ‘Delhi Belly’, ‘Talaash’ and ‘Dangal’. You get the idea, don’t you?
3. Jagga Jasoos
Release Date: 14th July
Director: Anurag Basu
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Saurabh Shukla, Saswata Chatterjee
Why Anticipate? Did you watch the trailer? ‘Jagga Jasoos’ brings back fond memories of ‘Barfi’ but also appears distinct at the same time. It is a romantic musical with adventure written all over it. Jagga has been in the making for the longest time and its delay raised suspicion of the unfavourable kind. Its rushes however have restored some faith. Eagerly waiting this one and hoping that we don’t get served with another ‘Barfi’ because the law of diminishing returns holds true even now.
2. Dutt
Release Date: December (tentative)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor
Why Anticipate? : It is Rajkumar Hirani film – What more reason do we need! One of the finest and most prolific directors working today in Bollywood, Hirani is an institution all by himself. Add to that, he is wading into a serious biopic on his close friend Sanjay Dutt, who happens to be one of the most controversial and colorful superstars in Bollywood history, and we can’t wait for this to come out.
1. Imtiaz Ali’s Next
Release Date: 11th August
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sayani Gupta
Why Anticipate: ? Imtiaz Ali is one of the most loved filmmakers working out of India today, and commands a huge cult following. While his last feature ‘Tamasha’ might have opened to a polarizing response (largely positive), his teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan for the first time is quite exciting to say the least. Let’s hope, he comes out with another gem.
Read More: The 10 Best Bollywood Movies of 2016
