Let’s face it, the first half of 2017 has been disastrous for Bollywood. None of the superstars have delivered the expected blockbusters, with Salman Khan and Kabir Khan‘s partnership failing with Tubelight and the first collaboration of Shah Rukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali being ridiculed by most people. Even the early releases like Raees, Kaabil and Jolly LLB 2 did not really set the box-office on fire.
As of now, Dharma Productions seems to be the big winner because their mid-budget hinterland rom-com Badrinath Ki Dulhania did well and of course Bahubali 2 (which they presented) destroyed every record ever held by any Indian movie. Content driven films like Mom, Trapped, Lipstick Under My Burkha and The Death In The Gunj have made profits, but we still haven’t got a box-office juggernaut as of now.
There’s still time. With four months left for 2017 to get over, we looked up the movies that going to hit the silver screen soon and to be honest, many of them look good. So here’s a list of 19 films that are yet-to-release, which might just save 2017 from being one of the worst years in Bollywood.
1) Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
A satirical comedy directed by Shree Narayan Singh and starring the bankable Akshay Kumar and the post-weight loss Bhumi Pednekar, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha seems to be the movie to watch out for.
The story of the film is similar to a true event where 19-year old Priyanka Bharti fled her husband’s home in 2012, because there was no toilet. Akshay is known for his comic timing and Bhumi has shown the world what she’s made of with her first movie itself, I’m expecting good things from this love story.
2) Newton
Rajkummar Rao’s #Newton pic.twitter.com/eUREOmBIJf
— ChristopherKanagaraj (@Chrissuccess) June 13, 2017
One of the best actors in India, Rajkummar Rao is the star of Newton. The movie, directed by Amit V Masurkar, had its world premiere in the Forum section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival.
Newton will also have its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it will screen in the International Narrative Competition section. The movie is about a resolute rookie election clerk who does everything he can to uphold the democratic process in a naxal-controlled town in Chhattisgarh, India.
3) Haseena Parkar
Apoorva Lakhia‘s Haseena Parkar looks like a dream project for Shraddha Kapoor. The actress, though talented, has become typecast as the manic pixie dream girl in most of her projects. In Haseena, she plays the role of Dawood Ibrahim‘s sister (played by her real life brother Siddhanth Kapoor).
Judging from the film’s trailer, it’s evident that the actress has worked hard on this role, which is quite a departure from her image. For her sake, I wish the film showcases something interesting about the woman who controlled Mumbai when Dawood ran away.
4) Bareilly Ki Barfi
A love triangle starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Sanon, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, who gave us the heartwarming Nil Battey Sannata and written by Nitesh Tiwari, the director of Dangal – Bareilly Ki Barfi looks like a winner.
Based on the chronicles of a ‘cool girl’ in Uttar Pradesh, I won’t be surprised if this one turns out to be the sleeper hit Bollywood desperately needs this year.
5) A Gentleman
More than anything else, I trust the directors of Shor in the City and Go Goa Gone. A Gentleman, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez looks like a fun action, adventure starring very good looking people, doing very good looking stunts at very good looking locations.
It’s being pitched as a sequel to the 2014 hit Bang Bang! So I’m expecting this one to be a fun ride.
6) Baadshaho
Whenever Milan Luthria and Ajay Devgn have collaborated, the results have been interesting. From Kachche Dhaage to Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, all these films have been entertaining to say the least. Joining him in this Emergency era based thriller are Emraan Hashmi, Illeana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammval.
I think this will be an interesting, at least better than the star’s last venture – Shivaay.
7) Shubh Mangal Savdhan
With Vicky Donor, Ayushmann brought sperm donation into the picture, with Shubh Mangal Savdhan, he’s a man suffering from erectile dysfunction. Making it the first time a Bollywood movie has addressed this problem.
Reuniting with his Dum Laga Ke Haisha co-star Bhumi, we’re sure Ayushmann will find a cure for his problem the ‘hard’ way (hehe #sorrynotsorry).
8) Kaalakaandi
This movie has Saif Ali Khan dropping acid and it’s directed by Akshat Verma, the writer and associate director of Delhi Belly. What’s not to like?
9) Daddy
The long in the making project starring Arjun Rampal, based on the life of don-turned-politician Arun Gawli is rather intriguing. The first look of this Ashim Ahluwalia movie has garnered a lot of acclaim, raising expectations for Daddy. Let’s wait and watch.
10) Simran
Simran is a kleptomaniac, who also loves gambling and happens to be a divorcee. She is played by Kangana Ranaut and the film is directed by Hansal Mehta.
The trailer of Simran dropped yesterday and most people think this will be another gem by Kangana. Will it be 2017’s Queen? I really hope so.
11) Bhoomi
Sanjay Dutt makes his grand return to Bollywood after spending years in jail. This action thriller also stars Aditi Rao Hydari as his daughter and is directed by Omung Kumar, who has made Mary Kom and Sarbjit.
Sanjay Dutt is doing what he does best in this one, kick ass.
12) Judwaa 2
A remake/sequel of the ’90’s hit, Judwaa 2 promises to be an entertaining potboiler, directed by David Dhawan and starring Varun Dhawan. While stepping into the shoes of Salman Khan is a big deal, in Varun we trust.
It also has Salman making a cameo appearance, so that’s that.
13) Chef
#Chef, produced by TSeries & Abundantia and directed by Raja Krishna Menon,to release on 6/10/17 Stars Saif Ali Khan.pic.twitter.com/PdDbmGgpx1
— Mohit Singhal (@immksinghal) June 7, 2017
Jon Favreau‘s adorable comedy drama – Chef is getting a desi remake starring Saif Ali Khan. Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, whose Airlift was one of the biggest hits last year, Chef looks sounds perfect on paper at least.
The cuisines around this country are enough to make an out-of-work chef rediscover his love for food.
14) Golmaal Again
All the previous parts of Golmaal have been successful in various degrees so it’s no surprise that the new one will be as good, if not better. This time, the men will be joined by Parineeti Chopra and Tabu.
Considering that this is one of the most successful Bollywood franchise, people will definitely flock to the theater for this one.
15) Secret Superstar
Hey guys, the Secret Superstar trailer will be out at 6.30/45 pm today. Here is the poster of the film. Love. a. pic.twitter.com/zNCSIbjzdq
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) August 2, 2017
In Aamir Khan we trust. Plus, this one stars the adorable Zaira Wasim, who played the young Geeta Phogat in last year’s monster hit, Dangal.
16) Ittefaq
Based on the 1969 film of the same name. Ittefaq is a song-less murder mystery starring Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha. It also has the elusive Akshaye Khanna playing an important role.
The original Ittefaq was one of the many consecutive hits of Rajesh Khanna, needless to say, this one might just be the edgy thriller Bollywood so badly needs.
17) Padmavati
Personally, I’m most excited to watch this one. After Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s magnum opus Bajirao Mastani, all of the country (except some parts of Rajasthan I’m assuming) is curious to see what he’ll do with the story of Rani Padmavati.
The movie has the gorgeous Deepika Padukone playing Padmavati, the amazing Shahid Kapoor play her husband Rana Rawal Ratan Singh and the sexbomb Ranveer Singh playing the antagonist Alauddin Khilji. Aditi Rao Hydari is Ranveer’s wife in this one. Can’t wait!
18) Fukrey Returns
The sequel of the 2013 surprise hit Fukrey, Fukrey Returns has the original star-cast making a comeback and going by the reaction to the teaser, it looks like this one will be a winner too!
19) Tiger Zinda Hai
Tiger Zinda Hai is pegged to be one of the biggest hits this year. And I see no reason to refute the claims. The film is a sequel to the 2012 blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, it stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif and it’s directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, whose previous film was Sultan. This one looks like a winner from the word go.
What are your thoughts about the movies? Think I’ve missed out any important ones? Feel free to discuss in the comments below.