BizAsia��s 10 Must-See Movies of Winter 2016-17
So far, 2016 has seen a mixed bag of films but, as with previous years, the bigger releases seem to be jammed in the last few months of the year. We are kick-starting the upcoming winter season by giving you a list of films which you really should be looking out for. We hope this list whets your appetite just right and makes you eager to wish those winter months start flying by.
‘Baar Baar Dekho’
Release date: 9th September
Director: Nitya Mehra
*ing: Sidharth Malhotra, Katrina Kaif, Ram Kapoor, Sayani Gupta
‘Baar Baar Dekho’ has been packaged to perfection which should come as expected what with two production houses – Dharma Productions and Excel Entertainment – joining hands for the first time. With good-looking pair Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif giving all the feels for a love story with a difference, debutante director Nitya Mehra’s talents will be there for all to see when the film hits theatres on 9th September.
‘Shivaay’
Release date: 28th October
Director: Ajay Devgn
*ing: Ajay Devgn, Sayyeshaa, Erika Kaar, Vir Das
It seems Ajay Devgn has left absolutely no stone unturned to ensure his directorial ‘Shivaay’ is a film which would be seen as being on par with Hollywood projects. His mindboggling stunts and unique promotional strategy have already won the audiences over and our list would definitely be incomplete without this film. It is, of course, one of two Diwali releases this year.
‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’
Release date: 28th October
Director: Karan Johar
*ing: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Fawad Khan
The teaser trailer for ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ got a somewhat mixed response on social media but this doesn’t mean in any way that this film is one that audiences haven’t been counting down to. The star cast was a coup in itself and with Karan Johar himself back as director, not much could get in the way of spelling success for this one. Special appearances from Fawad Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Lisa Haydon and reportedly Shah Rukh Khan have made this film all the more intriguing just from the offset.
‘Rock On 2’
Release date: 11th November
Director: Shujaat Saudagar
*ing: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Shraddha Kapoor, Prachi Desai, Purab Kohli
2008’s ‘Rock On’ was a film that was special for many. The second instalment is looking to create the same if not a better impression. Some of the original cast remain the same for ‘Rock On 2’ but there are some additions, including the film’s director. ‘Rock On 2’ promises an emotional drama once again with music as its focus and this should already tick so many boxes for the audiences.
‘Dear Zindagi’
Release date: 25th November
Director: Gauri Shinde
*ing: Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kunal Kapoor, Ali Zafar, Aditya Roy Kapur, Angad Bedi
Gauri Shinde’s ‘English Vinglish’ (2012) wowed the audiences and industry folk with its simplicity and was an apt comeback for Sridevi. With her second offering, ‘Dear Zindagi’, Shinde promises another content-driven product with Shah Rukh Khan playing love guru to Alia Bhatt. The initial interactions on social media between Khan and Bhatt sparked the interests of the fans and industry folk and has been enough – so far – to whet the appetite before the film releases in November.
‘Befikre’
Release date: 9th December
Director: Aditya Chopra
*ing: Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor
‘Befikre’ is a heavily anticipated film for a few reasons; the main being that it is an Aditya Chopra directorial. It will mark his comeback post the hugely successful ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995) which has broken records left, right and centre. Chopra is aiming to go contemporary with Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor in this seemingly peppy love story. The first posters have created quite an impression and no doubt the coming months will hopefully reveal more about this fresh and colourful venture.
‘Dangal’
Release date: 23rd December
Director: Nitesh Tiwari
*ing: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar
It has been reported for some time now that ‘Dangal’ may well have had too many similarities with Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma starrer ‘Sultan’ which released at Eid this year. However, this has not deterred the excitement which normally surrounds such a film which would have an Aamir Khan as protagonist. Khan has taken the Christmas slot for this film, which is based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Phogat and his daughters, and no doubt this real-life saga will be both captivating and heart-touching to see on celluloid.
‘OK Jaanu’
Alleged ex-flames Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor are coming together for this Shaad Ali directorial which promises to be a love story with a difference. Audiences who loved this couple in ‘Aashqui 2’ (2013) will be eager to see how they look in another romance, with a whole new story and a different director. Photos from the film’s shoot has indicated a fresh-looking story and the obvious comfort between Kapoor and Roy Kapur is bound to spell success again.
‘Raees’
Release date: 26th January 2017
Director: Rahul Dholakia
*ing: Shah Rukh Khan, Mahira Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
‘Raees’ was postponed from an Eid release this year to an early 2017 release. The film – as with each Shah Rukh Khan offering – is one that is heavily anticipated especially as the initial teaser was received particularly well. Popular Pakistani actress Mahira Khan makes her debut which, again, will lure in audiences and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s obvious talents will only add to the mix. Sunny Leone is also set for an item song in the film, ensuring that the glamour quotient is fulfilled in an otherwise rugged seeming plot.
‘Rangoon’
Release date: 24th February 2017
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
*ing: Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Kangna Ranaut
Vishal Bhardwaj has always been a filmmaker that gives audiences a certain kind of cinema. His next film ‘Rangoon’ seems like nothing less as he brings together Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Kangna Ranaut. With a slight delay, the film is now set up for a February 2017 release and it seems Bhardwaj’s characters will be interesting ones which are sure to make for a great watch.
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As always, BizAsia‘s list of ten doesn’t stop there. There are always films which we feel don’t quite make our cut but deserve a special mention nonetheless. The first of these is ‘MS Dhoni – The Untold Story’, about Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni which is inevitably always going to be one that many will be waiting for. With Sushant Singh Rajput stepping into Dhoni’s shoes, the film was already one to watch out for and with the initial trailers, excitement for this one has already been upped. It’s scheduled to arrive on 30th September.
There have been a few debutantes in the last few years in B-town, but this year sees another star-son making his on-screen introduction. Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan is set to debut in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ‘Mirzya’. Saiyami Kher is also being introduced in the film and the first promos show a very well executed story of popular Punjabi folklore ‘Mirza Sahibaa’. It’s slated for release on 7th October.
‘Tum Bin’ (2001) was a surprise hit and the film is remembered fondly even today. Anubhav Sinha has gone on the voyage for the second instalment which will feature��Neha Sharma, Aditya Seal��and Aashim Gulati in lead roles. This is a film many will be waiting for and makers will no doubt be hoping for the same success all over again. It’ll hit cinemas on 18th November.
Along with ‘Raees’ which did make our cut, the film that is all set to clash ‘Kaabil’, also deserves a special mention. Sanjay Gupta is bringing together Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam for the first time in an action romance and it’s rumoured that both play blind characters. The interest and buzz around this one has been ongoing for some time. Let’s hope it’s not facing any delay before it’s scheduled release date of 26th January 2017.
Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are set to share the screen again once more in what was first billed as the sequel to ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ (2014). However, although the film to come is ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’, it is a fresh story and doesn’t have much of a relation to the 2014 hit. Nevertheless, it’s one we are looking forward to, directed by Shashank Khaitan once again. It’s expected to release on 10th March 2017.
So that’s it for another few months. We’ll be back letting you know the summer movies you need to have on your radar very soon. Until then, we hope this list serves as a great winter-warmer for you.
