Journalism of Courage
The year 2018 seems to be quite turbulent for Bollywood filmmakers and for the cinephiles. It is getting difficult for the makers to zero in a release date for their movies. And when they finally do, a big film's release date clashing with their film creates chaos forcing them to postpone their film. Hoping that the filmmakers will not have a second thought again about the release date of their films, here is how the Bollywood calendar is shaping up for the year 2018.
Padmaavat - January 25
After being stuck in controversies for a long time, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor has finally managed to get a solo release on January 25. The period drama which was to clash with R Balki's social drama PadMan secured a solo release, courtesy actor Akshay Kumar who complied with Bhansali's request to shift his film to another date. The film which attracted the attention of many fringe outfits is based on the poem titled Padmavat written in 1540 by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
PadMan - February 9
After Akshay Kumar postponed the release date of PadMan for his dear friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the social drama directed by R Balki and bankrolled by Twinkle Khanna will hit the theaters on February 9. PadMan is inspired by the life of Coimbatore-based Arunachalam Muruganantham, who found a way to manufacture affordable sanitary napkins for the women of his village. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte.
Aiyaary - February 9
Neeraj Pandey's army film starring Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee was earlier scheduled to release on the same Republic Day weekend as PadMan and Padmaavat. But to avoid a big clash, the makers moved its release date to February 9. However, once again the action-drama will face competition from the Akshay Kumar starrer. While the film's narrative is focused on the rat and mouse chase between Sidharth (an ex-army officer embroiled in an artillage scam) and Bajpayee (an altruistic officer), the film also has an ensemble of Pandey's usual set of actors - Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher who are this time joined by Rakul Preet and Adil Hussain.
Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety - February 23
Karthik Aryan's power-packed monologue in 2011's Pyaar Ka Punchama remained a youth favourite for a long time. Looks like, director Luv Ranjan and Karthik are back to take audience on a fun ride yet again with their upcoming offering, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Also featuring Nushrat Barucha and Sunny Singh in pivotal roles, the film traces the conflict between bromance and romance.
Welcome to New York - February 23
This Chakri Toleti comedy is a definite watch for all Bollywood fans out there. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sonakshi Sinha, Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Johar, Riteish Deshmukh Sushant Singh Rajput, Rana Daggubatti and Boman Irani, the trailer for Welcome to New York showcases the actors taking potshots sportingly -- a first for the industry and it is beyond hilarious.
Pari - March 2
While the makers have only released Anushka Sharma's look from her upcoming film Pari, we have high expectations from this supernatural thriller. One, because we haven't seen Anushka play a spooky character like this, second because even though she looks like it, Anushka is not playing the ghost in the film, she is an abuse victim.
Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran - March 2
John Abraham and Diana Penty's upcoming actioner is based on the nuclear bomb test explosion conducted by the Indian Army at the Pokhran Test Range in 1998 when BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. Directed by Abhishek Sharma, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran will clash with Anushka Sharma's Pari.
Baaghi 2 - March 30
The action thriller starring Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff will reach the theaters on March 30. Baaghi 2 gives the movie buffs the fresh pairing of Disha and Tiger, who have only shared the screen in a music video titled “Befikra.”
October - April 13
Varun Dhawan has been delivering hit after hit since his debut with Student Of The Year. But unlike most of his films which are commercial Bollywood dramas, his next venture titled October is directed by Shoojit Sircar who has films like Piku and Pink to his credit. October narrates a Delhi-set slice-of-life love story written by Juhi Chaturvedi and also stars Banita Sandhu.
2.0 - April 27
Shankar's 2.0 is easily the most awaited film of 2018 because when Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar feature in a film together, it is hard to let it go unnoticed. This sci-fi action thriller is also the nation's costliest 3D film and it is going to an extravagant film in terms of the VFX and CGI content. It also stars Amy Jackson.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi - April 27
Manikarnika, a biographical drama about Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, will feature Kangana Ranaut in the never-seen-before avatar of an iconic freedom fighter. Kangana has had a rough 2017 with Rangoon and Simran both faring only decently at the box office. Written and directed by KV Vijendra Prasad, who also wrote for Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, we have high expectations from this Kangana Ranaut starrer.
Raazi - May 11
Alia Bhatt’s next film Raazi is an adaptation of Harinder Sikka’s Calling Sehmat, a novel inspired by the almost-unbelievable real-life story of a woman who the author named Sehmat. Alia is playing Sehmat, a Kashmiri woman who marries a Pakistani officer (Vicky Kaushal) with the intention to source out intelligence details and pass it off to Indian forces. It is directed by Meghna Gulzar.
Veere Di Wedding - June 1
Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania are coming together in what looks like the ultimate chick-flick of the year. Directed by Shashanka Ghosh, Veere Di Wedding is produced by Rhea Kapoor and Balaji Motion Pictures.
Fanne Khan - June 15 Produced by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Fanne Khan is the official adaptation of the Oscar nominated Dutch film Everybody’s Famous (2000). Veteran actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anil Kapoor are being joined by Rajkummar Rao and we are anxiously waiting for this star-studded comedy to hit the theaters.
Sanjay Dutt biopic - June 29
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Hirani, Sanjay Dutt's biopic stars Ranbir Kapoor as Dutt and Manisha Koirala as later actor Nargis Dutt. The film also has Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal and Anushka Sharma in pivotal roles.
Soorma - June 29
Shaad Ali's next titled Soorma is a biopic on the life of hockey legend Sandeep Singh (ex-captain of the Indian hockey team). The film stars Punjabi heartthrob Diljit Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu in the lead roles. The narrative is a poignant yet inspiring tale of a thriving athlete who was grievously injured after he was hit in an accidental gunshot in a train. The tagline in the poster reads 'The Greatest Comeback Story.'
Dhadak - July 20
Dhadak is an official remake of Marathi blockbuster film Sairat. It stars the much-awaited starlets -- Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter in the lead roles and is backed by Karan Johar. Dhadak is directed by Shashank Khaitan.
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar - August 3
Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor are coming back on screen with Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar after five long years. This time, while Arjun plays a Haryanvi officer, Parineeti features as a fiercely ambitious girl. It is directed by Dibakar Banerjee.
Gold - August 15
Akshay Kumar's upcoming film Gold talks about the era in which we achieved Independence and what happened with hockey, particularly at that time. Akshay plays a team manager and the film is being helmed by Talaash director Reema Kagti.
Batti Gul Meter Chalu - August 31
Toilet Ek Prem Katha director Shree Narayan Singh is teaming up with Shahid Kapoor for his next social drama. Titled Batti Gul Meter Chalu, the film is a story of a common man's fight against power distribution companies over the huge amount of bills generated. Shahid, reportedly, plays a lawyer in the film.
Sui Dhaaga: Made In India - September 28
Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma are collaborating for the first time with this upcoming YRF project titled Sui Dhaaga: Made In India. The film is written and directed by Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) director Sharat Katariya.
Thugs of Hindostan - November 7
Bollywood mavericks Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are all set to wow fans together with this period actioner titled Thugs of Hindostan. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the film also features Fatima Sana Shaika, Katrina Kaif and Zeeshan Ayyub. The leaked looks of Big B and Aamir were earlier being compared to Game of Thrones and The Hobbit. Will this Bollywood saga match their standards?
Super 30 - November 23
43-year-old Hrithik Roshan is all set to star in his career's first biopic. Based on the life of Patna-based mathematician Anand Kumar, Super 30 is supposed to trace Anand's rise to fame as the founder of the Super 30 program. It is directed by Vikas Bahl and has been written by Sanjeev Dutta.
Kedarnath-December 21
Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan’s Kedarnath is being awaited by fans with bated breath. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, Kedarnath will hit the theatres on December 21. The plot of the film reportedly revolves around a love story set against the backdrop of the Uttrakhand floods of 2013.
Shah Rukh Khan's Zero - December 21
Helmed by Aanand Rai, Zero is also set for a release on December 21. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles, the film will feature SRK as a vertically-challenged man.
Simmba - December 28
Karan has joined hands with Golmaal Again director Rohit Shetty for a massy action film titled Simmba featuring none other than the super talented Ranveer Singh. Ranveer looks his vibrant best in the character of the ‘notorious’ policeman named Sangram Bhalerao aka Simmba. It will release on December 28.
