The previous year saw some appealing blockbuster hits that made a mark in the history of Indian film industry. As the New Year begins, B-town comes up with some more interesting projects which are bound to make big producers run for their money.
After the success of many films like Race and Murder, some film-makers went on to make sequels, while others came up with entirely new ideas. Here’s a round-up of some of the biggest B-town flicks of 2013:
Race 2
The star-studded sequel of the 2008 Bollywood suspense thriller Race is geared up to set the temperature soaring this winter with some sizzling additions in the star cast. The production will see Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan reprising their roles as Robert D’Costa and Ranveer Singh from the previous film. However, new additions include Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ameesha Patel. Bipasha Basu will also be seen reprising her role of Sonia in a special appearance. The film is scheduled to release on January 25.
Ghanchakkar
Ghanchakkar, directed by Rajkumar Gupta, stars Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan in lead roles. The film is about a suave, master safe cracker Sanju (Emraan) who decides to team up with two dangerous criminals to commit one last crime that will give him enough money to retire from a career in crime and live his life peacefully. After a successful bank robbery, Sanju is given the task of hiding the money till things cool down. When the associates return to collect their share, Sanju refuses to recognise them. The film is set to release June 21.
Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani
After Bachna Ae Haseeno, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone will be seen together in romantic flick Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Directed by Ayan Mukerji under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film features Aditya Roy Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin in supporting roles. It pays tribute to the veteran film-maker and screenwriter Nasir Hussain, who directed classics like Dil Deke Dekho and wrote dialogues for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992). The film will be releasing on May 31.
Krrish 3
With “fantastic graphics and special effects” according to Hrithik Roshan, Rohit Mehra and his superhero son Krrish are back with yet another installment of their Krrish series. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, this superhero science-fiction film started with Koi… Mil Gaya and then continued with Krrish. The cast includes Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Rekha among others and will be released in 3D in Diwali.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a biographical film on the former Indian athlete Milkha Singh, who lost his family during partition. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film is named after the last words spoken by Milkha’s father “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, when he urged Milkha to run away to save his life during the riots. Starring Farhan Akhtar as Milkha, the film is about the life of this character and his determination and courage as an athlete; it releases July 12.
Dhoom 3: Back in Action
Dhoom series strike back with a new installment, featuring superstar Aamir Khan alongside Katrina Kaif as the antagonists. Produced by Aditya Chopra, the action thriller will see Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra playing the cops fighting against crime. The film is set to release on Christmas.
Murder 3
The Bhatt camp is coming up with yet another sequel of their Murder franchise, but this time without Emraan Hashmi. The film, which marks the directorial debut of film-maker Mukesh Bhaat’s son Vishesh Bhatt, features Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hydari and our very own Mona Lisa aka Sara Loren in the lead roles. The plot of the film is based on a wildlife photographer Vikram (Randeep) who woos a waitress from a lounge, Nisha (Sara). The two end up moving into in his decades-old, palatial house outside of the city. Eventually Nisha realises that Vikram is the prime suspect in a case regarding the disappearance of his former girlfriend played by Aditi Rao Hydari. The movie is a romantic thriller which holds good deal of suspense, compelling viewers to think that there is a supernatural element to the film. The film is slated for February 15 release.
Chashme Buddoor remake
Comic king David Dhawan’s family entertainer Chashme Buddoor is the remake of Sai Paranjpe’s 1981 classic, Chashme Buddoor. The film stars Ali Zafar, Taapsee Pannu, Siddharth, Divyendu Sharma and Rishi Kapoor in lead roles; with Juhi Chawla and Anupam Kher making surprise entry in the movie. The film is about three roommates Sid (Ali), Jai (Siddharth) and Omi (Divyendu). While Omi and Jai are playboys, Sid lives a simple life. With the entry of a new neighbour Neha (Taapsee), Jai and Omi set out to woo her. A series of lies, secrets and comical situations that follows, makes this flick a thoroughly entertaining venture. The film is set to release on April 19.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, produced by Vishal Bharadwaj in collaboration with Fox Star Studios, is a romantic comedy. The film features Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Pankaj Kapoor in the lead roles and the story revolves around a law graduate from Delhi University, Matru (Imran). He fails to get a job and returns to his village to take up his family profession of serving the wealthy Mandola family. Harry Mandola (Pankaj Kapoor) is a wealthy industrialist, who loves his drink and his daughter Bijlee (Anushka). While serving for the family, Matru falls in love with Bijlee — who sets off to study at Oxford University, where she is infatuated by the son of a powerful politician Baadal (Arya Babbar). Much to her father’s delight, Bijlee is keen to marry Baadal. But it turns out to be more than just a simple reunion of two young souls, bringing twists and turns in the lives of Matru, Bijlee and Mandola. The film is slated for January 11 release.
Zanjeer
The Indian action film Zanjeer is the remake of Prakash Mehra’s 1973 film of the same name; it focuses on the original plot, where an honest cop is stripped off his title after being falsely accused by an antagonist. When he comes out of prison after serving his sentence, he is all set to take revenge from the villain. The film features Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Raj and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles and is scheduled to release on May 10.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2013.
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