BizAsia’s 10 Must-See Movies of Summer 2016
So far, 2016 has been a mixed bag in the first four months in terms of box office and critical successes. The coming months will see the release of some much-awaited movies and movies that has had buzz surrounding them for months. They will be the year’s big releases and also hopefully will strike a chord with the audiences. BizAsia is taking a look at the movies to compile a list of ten to look out for in the coming months. We hope our list whets your appetite for the summer months and sets you up for the winter releases.
*Release dates are correct as at the time of publishing but could change in the coming months
‘Baaghi’
Release date: 29th April
Director: Sabbir Khan
*ing: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor
The first trailer of Sabbir Khan directed ��Baaghi�۪ received a somewhat mixed response from the audiences. It�۪s clear that the makers of the film have opted for a story and treatment that seeks to be on par with similar projects that Hollywood might have seen already. Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor look decent together and if the success of ��Heropanti�۪ (2014) is anything to go by then this film may just hit a chord when it�۪s released.
‘Azhar’
Release date: 13th May
Director: Tony D’Souza
*ing: Emraan Hashmi, Nargis Fakhri, Prachi Desai, Lara Dutta, Gautam Gulati
This is one biopic that many will be waiting for. With Emraan Hashmi stepping into the shoes of former Indian cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin and his somewhat controversial life being put on celluloid, the film is one that will intrigue many. Director Tony Dsouza has said that the film isn�۪t the truest and best portrayal of Azharuddin�۪s life but no doubt the entertainment value ��� with Prachi Desai and Nargis Fakhri playing Azharuddin�۪s wives only adding to that.
‘Sarbjit’
Release date: 20th May
Director: Omung Kumar
*ing: Randeep Hooda, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Richa Chadha
Another biopic this season which almost has blockbuster written all over it is ��Sarbjit�۪ which looks at the life of Sarabjit Singh and his sister�۪s quest for justice. Randeep Hooda and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are playing brother and sister and the first looks and trailer promise an emotional rollercoaster of a story. Award-winning Omung Kumar has directed the film and if his last film is anything to go by then this one is sure to be as true to real-life events as possible.
‘Udta Punjab’
Release date: 17th June
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
*ing: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh
With the recent first look posters being unveiled and wowing the eager audiences, ��Udta Punjab�۪ is a film that looks at the drug problem within the Punjab state. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt, it will also mark the B-town debut of Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh. It has been rumoured that Kapoor, Kapoor Khan and Bhatt won�۪t be seen sharing screen space but despite this, the film is definitely one to watch for.
‘Raees’
Release date: 3rd July
Director: Rahul Dholakia
*ing: Shah Rukh Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mahira Khan
When the first teaser trailer and first posters of the film were revealed, this Shah Rukh Khan starrer immediately became one that audiences should be looking out for. Mahira Khan, Pakistani actress, will be marking her Bollywood debut with the film and Nawazuddin Siddiqui also has a prominent role alongside Khan. The film is due to clash at the box office with ‘Sultan’, although there have been hints along the way that the this conflict is trying to be averted.
‘Sultan’
Release date: 3rd July
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
*ing: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Amit Sadh, Randeep Hooda
Salman Khan will be sharing the screen with Anushka Sharma for the first time in this Ali Abbas Zafar directorial. The film’s teaser came only a few days ago and increased the buzz surrounding the film. Khan was seen changing his look for the film, putting on the kilos for the wrestler’s role. ‘Sultan’ promises a very different Khan to what might’ve been previously on celluloid and this alone should be something to be excited about.
‘Jagga Jasoos’
Release date: Unconfirmed – July/August
Director: Anurag Basu
*ing: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Govinda
This Anurag Basu directorial has faced delay upon delay but it’s now likely to be releasing in June. Ex flames Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are set to be seen together once again in the film which will see Kapoor age from a teenager to a 40-year-old. The film is apparently a musical and will feature a number of songs. It is a movie many will be waiting and it’s definitely one we are recommending will be one to watch out for.
‘Mohenjo Daro’
Release date: 12th August
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
*ing: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi
Hrithik Roshan has been concentrating on ‘Mohenjo Daro’ for some time. The actor always garners much interest with every film he does and this Ashutosh Gowariker directed film will be no different. Roshan will be seen sharing the screen with newbie Pooja Hegde and it certainly seems his coming together with Gowariker will prove a success once again.
‘Rustom’
Release date: 12th August
Director: Tinu Suresh Desai
*ing: Akshay Kumar, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta, Arjan Bajwa
Akshay Kumar received much praise for his portrayal as Ranjit Katyal in ‘Airlift’ (2016) and with ‘Rustom’ he seems to be sticking with the aviation theme. With Esha Gupta playing a character with negative shades and Ileana D’Cruz as Kumar’s love interest, the film is said to be a romantic story with a riveting murder mystery in the main plot. Tinu Desai is making his directorial debut with the film.
‘MS Dhoni – The Untold Story’
Release date: 2nd September
Director: Neeraj Pandey
*ing: Sushant Singh Rajput, Kiara Advani
This is perhaps one of the most-awaited films of the year. Sushant Singh Rajput steps into the shoes of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for this biopic, directed by Neeraj Pandey. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this film and it will be the second cricketer’s biopic to hit the screens. No doubt it’ll bring something different to the table than what ‘Azhar’ will.
As always, there are also films that don’t quite make our list but which audiences should still be looking out for. ‘Dishoom’, starring John Abraham, Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez, is definitely one of those. The film promises great action and exotic locations and Rohit Dhawan as director is directing his younger brother for the first time. The film is slated for release on 29th July.
‘Raaz Reboot’ didn’t quite make our cut but is a film which should be a good watch, we think. The film will be the fourth in the franchise of ‘Raaz’ and will be delving into the supernatural world once again, produced by Vishesh Films. Emraan Hashmi essays the villain’s role and there will be debuts from Gaurav Arora and Kriti Kharbanda. The film expected to hit the screens during July or August.
Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez are coming together for the first time with ‘A Flying Jatt’, directed by Remo D’Souza. Nathan Jones joined the cast too and the film will see some high-octane action scenes. Shroff is said to be playing a superhero and the film is scheduled for release on 25th August.
‘Cabaret’, starring Richa Chadha, Sreesanth and��Gulshan Devaiah, is written and produced by Pooja Bhatt and Bhushan Kumar. The��Kaustav Narayan Niyogi directorial has had amazing buzz around it and this continued if not increased when the first looks and trailer were unveiled. It promises to be an intriguing story albeit with some sensuality. It will hit theatres on 27th May.
So that’s that for yet another summer. We’ll be back in a few months with our winter recommendations to help keep you warmly excited for the colder months.
