Half-finished films, cancelled releases, derelict theatres, careworn studios, a desperate workforce scraping together a living—the pandemic sucked the breathing life out of Bollywood in 2020. The annus horribilis spread its stain with the nationwide lockdown, when everything went into a catatonic state, and held on to its ghastly inertia. The financial losses for the Hindi film industry were monumental: hundreds of crores of rupees. Digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix emerged as viable, ‘at-home’ options, but could scarcely fill the void.
Movie aficionados had to wait, then wait some more, for the industry to resurrect. For the majority, the joy of watching a new movie on the small screen in the living room couldn’t just compare with the frisson of expectation, even mystique, of a darkened auditorium when the lights go out. Big filmmakers and actors such as Shoojit Sarkar, Mahesh Bhatt, Akshay Kumar and David Dhawan did release films on OTT platforms, but Gulabo Sitabo, Sadak 2, Lakshmi or Coolie No. 1 were given a resounding thumbs-down by all.
Theatres have since reopened, and some closed again, with the waxing and waning of the pandemic. The hapless film industry, like humanity, is not out of the woods. Stars like Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan have sought to encourage audiences by going to watch a film in a theatre, but have prompted little emulation.
Now, with the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the situation is likely to improve. In the next few months, many big and interesting films helmed by the superstars are lined up, which may well revive the bustle and swagger of old Bollywood. It’s a matter of conclusive evidence that the beating heart of filmdom throbs in the theatres and that the digital option—fine enough for a rainy day—is deemed inadequate, in the entirety of its experience, by a diehard cine-goer. The industry, therefore, cannot return to normality unless theatres come to life across the country.
Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter, opposite Deepika Padukone, announced on January 10, will not release before September 2022, but here is a lowdown of some big ones that have the potential to drag the film industry out of this dispiriting phase in 2021 itself.
Pathan
Star Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Director: Siddharth Anand
SRK has been planning and plotting his comeback ever since his ambitious Zero tanked at the box office in 2018. He has now zeroed in on Yash Raj Films’ Pathan, expected to release later this year. Directed by Siddharth Anand of War fame, Pathan will have Deepika Padukone as SRK’s on-screen muse once again.
Cirkus
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Pooja Hegde
Director: Rohit Shetty
Shakespeare continues to enchant Hindi film-makers of all hues, from Gulzar to Rohit Shetty. Best known for action-comedies, the auteur of commercial flicks has dared to pick The Comedy of Errors and cast Ranveer Singh to do what Sanjeev Kumar did in Angoor (1982). It will be interesting to see how the Golmaal guy interpolates his pet car blast scenes to give the Shetty touch to the Bard epic.
Prithviraj
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Manushi Chillar
Director: Chandra Prakash Dwivedi
If you have lost count of Akshay Kumar’s recent movies here is one more, where he is playing the legendary 12th-century king, Prithviraj Chauhan. Playing his ladylove Sanyogita is the 2017 Miss World Manushi Chillar, who is making her debut in Bollywood, which desperately needs fresh faces on its revival path.
83
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi
Director: Kabir Khan
Remember June 25, 1983? The earliest millennials were barely two-year-old toddlers then. But Kabir Khan has brought the historic triumph of the Indian cricket team at the third World Cup at Lord’s alive on screen. Ranveer Singh plays Kapil paaji. The film is ready for release for months but the producers apparently don’t possess Kapil’s innate ability to take risks.
Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai
Star Cast: Salman Khan, Disha Patani, Ranveer Hooda
Director: Prabhudeva
Amid unconfirmed reports that Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai has been sold to an OTT platform, exhibitors are looking up to Salman Khan to bail them out by releasing his next in theatres during Eid. It was supposed to be Salman’s gift for the audience last year, but coronavirus dashed hopes. And if an ageing Bhai’s bulging biceps will not be enough this time, there is Disha Patani to sizzle the screen.
Lal Singh Chadha
Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh
Director: Advaita Chandan
After Thugs of Hindostan (2018), Aamir Khan hopes to recapture his magic with a remake of 1994 Hollywood hit, Forrest Gump, which has Tom Hanks in the lead, “Mr. Perfectionist” plays the title role in Lal Singh Chadha, which was supposed to release last Christmas, but had to be postponed for the next for obvious reasons.
Bachchan Pandey
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kriti Sanon
Director: Farhad Samji
After the success of Housefull 4, superstar Akshay Kumar teams up with producer Sajid Nadiadwala and writer-director Farhad Samji for Bachchan Pandey. It is about a gangster who aspires to be an actor, but that does not matter—just remember that it is all about Akshay Kumar only.
Atrangi Re
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, Dhanush
Director: Aanand L Rai
Akshay Kumar has been on a roll for almost a decade, delivering hits of different hues. Anand L. Rai’s Atrangi Re has an interesting star cast with Dhanush in a parallel role. It holds immense promises and should help Rai get over the fiasco of SRK-starrer Zero.
Jersey
Star Cast: Shahid Kapur, Mrunal Thakur
A gripping sports drama, Jersey stars Shahid Kapoor, who has been on a high since the mega-success of the controversial Kabir Singh (2019). Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, it is a remake of the 2019 Telugu film of the same title.
Antim
Star Cast: Salman Khan, Ayush Sharma
Director: Mahesh Manjrekar
Salman Khan’s love for his younger sister Arpita made him launch her husband Ayush Sharma in a big way with Love Yatri (2018) but it proved to be a non-starter. Now, Salman has taken the final’ step to relaunch his brother-in-law in Antim. Giving heft to the film is the presence of the superstar himself. The film incidentally has only two actors. But then, who needs the other one, if Salman happens to be around?
Baaghi 4
Star Cast: Tiger Shroff
Director: Ahmed Khan
Baaghi 4 is the fourth in Tiger Shroff’s wildly-loved series. The first previous three editions of the action-packed franchise have all proved to be huge hits, establishing Shroff as Bollywood’s biggest action star of the new generation. The critics who had once dismissed him as “wooden”, are now singing paeans to him.
Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali
Star Cast: Salman Khan
Director: Sajid Samji
Bollywood’s Bhai has collaborated with an old friend, Sajid Nadiadwala, for superhits like Judwaa (1997) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). Now, they are back with Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, which has raised huge expectations in the trade circles. Bollywood hopes to celebrate both Eid and Diwali on the first weekend of its release this year.
Heropanti 2
Star Cast: Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sannon
Director: Ahmed Khan
Tiger Shroff made a stunning entry into Bollywood seven years ago with Heropanti. His popularity has since soared with superhits like the Baaghi (2016 onwards) series and War (2019). Now, he is back with a sequel to Heropanti, which should be much bigger and better than his launch vehicle.
Sooryavanshi
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif
Director: Rohit Shetty
Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, and Katrina Kaif in a Rohit Shetty film! What more can you ask for? Its release on March 24 last year was postponed due to the lockdown. Since then, viewers have been eagerly waiting for its release, but the producers are still biding time.
Brahmastra
Star Cast: Ranveer Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy
Director: Ayan Mukherjee
Directed by Ayan Mukherjee, it has taken a long time in the making, but nobody is complaining. A fantasy thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, it is to be made in three parts. Let us watch the first edition this year to know whether it will be a good idea to carry it forward with the next two.
Shamshera
Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Vani Kapoor, Ronit Roy
Director: Karan Malhotra
A dacoit drama set in the 19th century, which Bollywood audiences have not seen for many years. Ranbir is in a double role in this film. Its shooting was over in January 2020, but the lockdown halted post-production work.
Animal
Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Bobby Deol
Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
One of the most interesting films, Animal is director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s first Hindi film after Kabir Singh, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor for the first time. This may be Ranbir’s third film to be released this year alongside Brahmastra and Shamshera. No chance for his fans to complain now.
Jug Jugg Jeeyo
Star Cast: Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani
Director: Raj Mehta
Neetu Kapoor will appear in a major role after a long while in the film being directed by Raj Mehta. Shooting has commenced in Chandigarh and it is expected to be released this year.
Jaya
Star Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Arvind Swamy
Director: AL Vijay
Producer: Vishnu Vardhan Induri, Shailesh R Singh
Jaya, being made in Tamil and Hindi, is a biopic of Tamil Nadu’s actress-turned-chief minister Jayalalithaa. Kangana Ranaut plays the titular role while Arvind Swamy is playing MG Ramachandran. The film is set to ruffle a few feathers in Tamil Nadu.
Bell Bottom
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Vani Kapoor
Director: Ranjit Tiwari
Bell Bottom was the first film to begin shooting in Scotland after the lockdown. This spy thriller will pair Akshay for the first time with Vaani Kapoor providing the romantic angle. You cannot get enough of Akshay!
Maidaan
Star Cast: Ajay Devgn, Priyamani, Gajraj Rao
Director: Amit Sharma
Bollywood has taken to sports biopic in a big way. In Maidaan, Ajay Devgn plays a legendary football coach, Syed Abdul Rahim, who is credited with having taken Indian soccer to a new high in the post-Independence era. Slated for Dussehra release.
Takht
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt
The classic Mughal-era saga of Aurangzeb-versus-Dara Shikoh on screen! Karan Johar announced this period drama with a lot of fanfare, but the failure of another period drama, Kalank (2019), proved to be a setback for Dharma Productions. KJo hopes to reverse his fortunes if he is able to make this one this year.
