A film for each week of the year

Bollywood is hitting the box-office with a fully-loaded arsenal of films this year and quite a few of them are anticipated projects. With 52 Fridays in the offing, an equal number of films have caught our interest and we’re confident that if you’re a hardcore Bollywood buff, you ought to check them out, too!

Jolly LLB 2

Akshay Kumar kickstarts his 2017 campaign with Jolly LLB 2 and if the promo is any indication, he is demonstrating his versatility again in an amusing yet dramatic ride. Brace up!

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

Akshay Kumar is on something of a patriotic drive with last year’s Airlift, Rustom and 2017’s Jolly LLB 2. What follows is Toilet, which picks up the mantle of ‘Swachh Bharat’.

2.0

2017’s biggest release is 2.0, what with Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar coming together in a sci-fi affair that has Shankar as the director. This is the kind of film that you wait to catch at the big screen.

Tubelight

Salman Khan and Kabir Khan reunite after Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. They are expected to strike big and score a hat-trick this Eid. The film is said to boast of an unusual plot.

Tiger Zinda Hai

For Salman Khan fans, it could well be the call of ‘Do Mein Zyaada Mazaa Hai’. Just a few months after Tubelight, the superstar will be seen in the sequel to Ek Tha Tiger along with Katrina Kaif.

Raees

2017 sees its first big ticket arrival in the form of Raees. The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer has been in the wings for a while and now that it is set for release, expect explosive times ahead at the box-office.

The Ring/Rehnuma

The Shah Rukh Khan-Anushka Sharma starrer doesn’t have a fixed title yet, but what is known for sure is the fact that Imtiaz Ali would yet again take his audience through a scintillating musical road trip.

Kaabil

Made in record time by Sanjay Gupta, Kaabil is a quintessential ‘masala’ affair from the house of Rakesh Roshan. Hrithik appears to be in great form for this film which is finding good buzz going its way.

Phillauri

After NH10, yet another unusual choice made by Anushka Sharma as a producer-actor is Phillauri. No one knows anything about its plotline as yet, but given the set-up, it should be entertaining for sure.

Rangoon

Kangana Ranaut as Julia, who has two suitors in Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor, and Vishal Bhardwaj as the director!

Chef

If the makers of Chef are to be believed, then Saif Ali Khan has a lot to offer beyond the multiplex sector. Apparently, director Raja Menon has Indianised the entire set up to give the film a pan-India appeal.

Kaalakaandi

What is Kaalakaandi? This could be the first piece of the puzzle that should be unravelled once the promotional campaign of this Saif Ali Khan-starrer begins. Akshat Verma (writer, Delhi Belly) directs.

Raabta

The film was earlier supposed to release in February, but now has been pushed to June. Other than link-up rumours of Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, the romcom musical should have a lot to offer.

Takadum

The word instantly reminds one of the Madhuri Dixit hit from Dil To Paagal Hai. Now, Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra will be seen in this unusual film with Irrfan Khan as their co-star.

Jagga Jasoos

Animals, a mystery, a lot of music and much fantasy. Also, Anurag Basu, Pritam and Ranbir Kapoor returning for what they hope will be a possible winner after their last outing together, Barfi!

Veere Di Wedding

With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor coming together in a fun celebration film, expect a rip-roaring Punjabi ride. Shashanka Ghosh returns as a director after Khoobsurat.

Sarkar 3

‘Govinda, Govinda, Govinda’. Expect the chant to reverberate once Amitabh Bachchan and Ram Gopal Varma come together for Sarkar 3. The wait won’t be long as the promo is out in January itself.

Noor

Sonakshi Sinha got into an action avatar in 2016 (Akira, Force 2). She is now expected to be in a chill-out zone with Noor where she plays an investigative journalist. This time around, she is driving it solo.

Meri Pyari Bindu

Almost three years after Kill Dil, Parineeti Chopra will be seen in Meri Pyari Bindu. The Yash Raj film with Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead should be a sweet-n-sour tale with a ‘desi tadka’ to it.

Bareilly Ki Barfi

Now, this is one combination of actors that is set to brighten up this small town affair. Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon and Rajkummar Rao should be a delight to watch in this Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari film.

Reloaded

This one should be a hot ‘jodi’ indeed to look out for! Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez together on screen should be piping hot and with an action set up, it should be further irresistible.

Captain Nawab

Over the last few years, Emraan Hashmi has played a series of different characters. Now with Captain Nawab, he steps in as an Army man. Tony D’Souza directs him again after Azhar.

Bhoomi

It was back in 2013 (Policegiri) when Sanjay Dutt was seen as a central protagonist. Now, that he is making a comeback with Omung Kumar’s Bhoomi, all eyes are on his chosen subject and character.

Ittefaq (Remake)

Continuing with his penchant of picking up different characters with every film of his, Sidharth Malhotra has now chosen to step into the shoes of Rajesh Khanna for the remake of his Ittefaq.

Main, Indu

Madhur Bhandarkar had a continued stint with the world of glamour in Heroine and Calendar Girls. Now, he is taking a different route by entering the political territory with Kirti Kulhari starrer Main, Indu.

Simran

Kangana Ranaut will be seen in two distinct roles in 2017. While Rangoon shows her fiery side, Simran will have her get into a playful-and-naughty zone. This is a different set up for Hansal Mehta too.

Poster Boys

Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol together in a rip roaring laughter affair set in the interiors — This is how Poster Boys is being pitched, which also marks the directorial debut of actor Shreyas Talpade.

Daddy

The teaser has already made an impression and one now, keenly awaits what does producer-actor Arjun Rampal have to offer next. This is also a commercial vehicle for Ashim Ahluwalia (Miss Lovely).

OK Jaanu

Aashiqui 2, it was not! However much the  makers may have wanted this beloved Mani Ratnam’s film OK Kanmani’s remake to repeat the A2 lead jodi’s magic, it didn’t work.

Munna Michael

Tiger Shroff and Sabbir Khan scored back-to-back with Heropanti and Baaghi. Now, Munna Michael is being looked at as their hat-trick film. The presence of Nawazuddin Siddiqui further heats it up.

Golmaal Again

Each of the three Golmaal so far has been a successful fare and Ajay Devgn along with Rohit Shetty have been a team that time and again delivers. Expect a rip-roaring fun ride yet again as well.

Baadshaho

Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Milan Luthria coming together again after Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai — This by itself is a news great enough for their fans, especially in the interiors of India.

Bahubali 2 — The Conclusion

It has been a nail-biting wait to figure out ‘Why did Katappa kill Baahubali (Prabhas)?’ SS Rajamouli is expected to deliver nothing, but the best with his period war drama made on a lavish scale.

The Ghazi Attack

A few weeks before Baahubali 2, Rana Daggubati will be seen in this Telugu-Hindi bilingual. The Karan Johar presentation goes with the tagline of ‘The War You Did Not Know About’.

Hate Story 4

Each of the three Hate Story films have been successful with the third in the series even entering the Rs 50 crore zone. Director Vishal Pandya is expected to bring on yet another good erotic thriller here.

Atithi In London

A franchise affair which follows Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, this one by Ashwini Dhir features Kartik Aryan (Pyaar Ka Punchnama 1 & 2) along with Kirti Kharbanda. Paresh Rawal adds on to the chaos.

Luv Ranjan’s next with Kartik Aryan and Nushrat Bharucha

Together, the trio has done quite well in both the installments of Pyaar Ka Punchnama. One waits to see the sweet-n-saccharine route they take again.

Machine

Director duo Abbas-Mustan took a comic route with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon. They will be back with the action-thriller-musical Machine, a twisted love story, which launches Abbas’ son Mustafa.

Naam Shabana

Now, this should be a cracker of a film! Baby was an explosive thriller and now that Taapsee Pannu’s story from the past is being told in the prequel, it should be edge-of-the-seat for sure.

Commando 2

Vidyut Jammwal made a very good impression with Commando. However, he was selective in the films that he picked. Now, that he will be seen in the film’s sequel, expect stunts galore.

Aksar 2

More than a decade after Aksar (2006), director Ananth Mahadevan will be returning with the second installment, Aksar 2. Zarine Khan as the leading lady is set to scorch the screen again.

Begum Jaan

Vidya Balan’s Begum Jaan is slated to arrive in early 2017 where she plays a madam in a brothel. Set during partition, the film also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Ila Arun, Gauahar Khan and Pallavi Sharda.

Tumhari Sulu

Vidya Balan has played a series of heavy duty roles in a row. She is now set to lighten up in Tumhari Sulu, which sees her as a late night RJ. Expect a lot of spice in her chats that go on air.

Padmavati

From being Leela to Mastani, Deepika Padukone is now Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati. This time around, other than Ranveer Singh she also has Shahid Kapoor for company. Expect lot of drama!

Secret Superstar

Zaira Wasim impressed all as the younger Geeta in Dangal. She will be seen as a teenager in Secret Superstar, the teaser of which is out. Aamir Khan makes a special appearance.

Bhavesh Joshi

Harshvardhan Kapoor made an unusual beginning in his career with Mirzya. Now, he will be seen as a vigilante in Bhavesh Joshi. Vikramaditya Motwane picks the baton again after Lootera.

Mom

Sridevi took a long sabbatical after delivering an award-winning performance in English Vinglish. Now, that the shooting of her next, Mom, is through, one waits to see what she brings on board.

Fukrey 2

On its release, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s Fukrey (2013) was the surprise success of the year. Now, four years later, the team of Pulkit Samrat, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha and Varun Sharma return.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania

Though not a true sequel to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, this Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starrer should add on to the recall value due to the title. Karan Johar backs all the fun.

Judwaa 2

Varun Dhawan takes over the reins from Salman Khan as he gears up to embark on the first double role of his career. His father David Dhawan returns to the director’s chair for this film.

Half Girlfriend

Arjun Kapoor excelled in Chetan Bhagat written 2 States. One expects the duo to do well again in Half Girlfriend which also has Mohit Suri and Shraddha Kapoor pairing after Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain.

Mubarakan

Arjun Kapoor will also be seen in a double role in Anees Bazmee’s Mubarakan. Other than Ileana D’Cruz and Athiya Shetty pumping on the glam quotient, Anil Kapoor should add on to his jhakaas.