2020 was one of the most terrible years in recent memory, not only because it took the lives of thousands but also because it shattered industries worldwide. The film industry was one such industry. With theatres shut down due to the lockdown, producers either chose to wait it out or to release the movies on OTT platforms. One assumes that both these choices came at an enormous financial and emotional cost.
However, theatres are open now and while business is slow, it is hopefully a sign of things to come. We all miss movie Fridays when we could just head to our nearest theatre and watch our favourite actors on the big screen. Now with the news of vaccines coming in, it looks like theatres are going to be packed soon and this year may get bigger and better with the backlog of last year’s films.
If you’re planning on watching films on the big screen in 2021, we’ve catalogued a movie calendar for you with the upcoming releases. Take a look at 15 of the biggies in this list and for the next 15.
1. ‘83
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi, Sahil Khattar, Chirag Patil, Ammy Virk, Dhairya Karwa, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Hardy Sandhu, R Badree, Jatin Sarna, Jiiva, Adinath Kothare, Saqib Saleem, Dinker Sharma, Nishant Dahiya
Director: Kabir Khan
‘83 is the story of India’s first Cricket World Cup victory. Ranveer Singh plays the role of Kapil Dev and with Kabir Khan sitting on the director’s chair, it’s definitely the most awaited film of the year. It was supposed to release in April 2020 but due to the lockdown and theatres still not allowed to run in full capacity, it has been pushed to this year. As per reports, the movie will release over the Holi weekend.
2. Radhe
Cast: Salman Khan, Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda
Director: Prabhudeva
Radhe is Salman Khan’s next release in which he stars with his Bharat girl Disha Patani. Radhe, directed by Prabhudeva, is one of the most talked-about films of 2021. Like every Salman film, it’s expected to create a riot at the box-office when it releases on Eid 2021, exactly a year after its scheduled release.
3. KGF 2
Cast: Yash, Sanjay Dut, Shrinidhi Shetty
Director: Prashanth Neel
Yash’s KGF 2 has become the most anticipated sequel after Baahubali 2. The first part being a smash hit, the expectations for this one are high. Recently recovered from cancer, Sanjay Dutt is also part of the film and that has also added to the buzz of the film. KGF, a Kannada film, made quite a buzz when it went onto become a pan-India success.
4. Atrangi Re
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Dhanush, Sara Ali Khan
Director: Aanand L. Rai
Atrangi Re is one of the most-awaited films of 2021 and stars Akshay Kumar, Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles. And the best part? The music for the film is composed by the legendary AR Rahman.
5. Toofan
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Farhan Akhtar & Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra are collaborating again after Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Farhan will be seen as a boxer and his physical transformation for the role has already made headlines. The film was originally scheduled to release in October 2020.
6. Radhe Shyam
Cast: Prabhas, Pooja Hegde
Director: Radha Krishna Kumar
After the historic success of the Baahubali films and Saaho, Prabhas has become a pan India superstar. Any wonder then why his next film is on this list? For the first time, Prabhas stars in a love story opposite the very pretty Pooja Hegde. The film is said to be an ode to the most iconic love stories of the ages.
7. Laal Singh Chadda
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vijay Setupathi, Mona Singh
Director: Advait Chandan
Every Aamir Khan film is like an event. They are all commercially and critically successful. They even set new benchmarks when it comes to the box-office. Laal Singh Chaddha is the official adaptation of Forest Gump and has Aamir with Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead. A Christmas 2020 release, it’s now eyeing the festive weekend of December 2021.
8. Gangubai Kathiawadi
Cast: Alia Bhatt
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Now, this one film every Hindi film buff is waiting with bated breath. We all know what Sanjay Leela Bhansali can extract out of his actors. The immensely talented Alia Bhatt stars in Gangubai Kathiawadi which will focus on the life of Mumbai’s most notorious madam, Gangubai Kothewali. Gangubai, the most feared madam of Kamathipura was the only madam in the 60s and it will be interesting to see what magic two create.
9. RRR
Cast: Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Ajay Devgn
Director: SS Rajamouli
SS Rajamouli’s next after Baahubali series is about legendary freedom fighters. The film is expected to be a big spectacle and expectations are sky high naturally after the massive and historic success of the Baahubali series. The coming together of Bollywood and south stars have made fans of both industries excited.
10. Bob Biswas
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Chitrangda Singh
Director: Diya Annapurna Ghosh
Bob Biswas is based on the famed character of Sujoy Ghosh’s film Kahaani. It’s supposed to deep dive into the character’s mind and Abhishek Bachchan has undergone a major physical transformation for the film. This will be the second collaboration between Sujoy Gosh and Red Chillies Entertainment after Badla, which starred Abhishek’s father Amitabh Bachchan.
11. Rashmi Rocket
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Priyanshu Painyuli, Abhishek Banerjee
Director: Akarsh Khurana
The first look of Taapse Pannu from Rashmi Rocket has set the tone right for the film. The film promises to be an exhilarating and emotional journey with the lead actor giving her all to the film.
12. Luv Ranjan’s untitled next
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Boney Kapoor
Director: Luv Ranjan
Luv Ranjan’s next directorial will see Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor unite for the first time. The audience is stoked to see this new pair on the big screen and also happy to have Ranbir Kapoor back in the commercial entertainer zone after a gap of three years.
13. Bachchan Pandey
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon
Director: Farhad Samji
Sajid Nadiadwala, Akshay Kumar and Farhad Samji are reuniting after the superhit film Housefull 4. Akshay Kumar always delivers when it comes to mass entertainers and this film seems no different.
14. Heropanti 2
Cast: Tiger Shroff
Director: Ahmed Khan
Heropanti 2 was supposed to star Tiger Shroff and Sara Ali Khan but she has been replaced by Tara Sutaria. According to a media report, Khan was replaced due to the negative coverage surrounding her in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
15. Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Vaani Kapoor
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
Every Ayushmann Khurrana film makes noise because of the subject the actor chooses. From Vicky Donor to Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan, Khurrana keeps pushing the envelope and one can only wait to see what magic he creates as he teams up with Abhishek Kapoor and Vaani Kapoor for the first time.
ML Entertainment