Most summer blockbusters may have been put on hold on account of the strike, but there is still plenty to look forward to in the months to come…
If Indian cine-goers were void of their favorite pastime during the recent three-month strike, there has been little excitement since the Hindi film industry came back into full swing just one month ago. The Yashraj production house quite suitably released one of its own products first, but the big budget New York about minority life in post-9/11 America failed to impress the masses and classes alike. Over promotion and help from the media seemed to have allowed Kambakkht Ishq ‘hit’ status, but most who have seen the film are quick to coin it one of the worst releases of the century. Perhaps the only other releases worth mentioning are Short Kut and Luck – haven’t heard of them? It’s ok, neither has 95% of the public.
But never fear, for there are more highly anticipated releases just around the corner, and certainly one of them will have to hit the mark sooner or later. Here are DesiClub’s Top Five releases to look forward to:
Film: Love Aaj Kal
Directed by: Imtiaz Ali
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor & Rahul Khanna
Release Date: July 31, 2009
What’s the big deal anyway? Chotte nawab Saif Ali Khan turns first-time producer and teams up with the man responsible for reintroducing girlfriend Kareena Kapoor to stardom. After Jab We Met (2007), Imtiaz Ali is ready to take another stab at the romantic comedy genre with this look at love in the past, present and future. It also pairs Saif with the significantly younger Deepika Padukone, who is most likely hoping the public has forgotten the debacle that was Chandni Chowk to China. Unlike the simplicity of JWM, this one’s been shot in a number of cities across the globe but does boast of a rollicking soundtrack much like its predecessor.
Film: Kaminey
Directed by: Vishal Bhardwaj
Starring: Shahid Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra
Release Date: August 14, 2009
What’s the big deal anyway? Three years ago, in Omkara, director Vishal Bhardwaj gave us a work of art that arguably ranks as one of the best films till date. While this makes it near impossible for Kaminey to meet the subsequently gargantuan expectations, you can’t blame the aficionados for their anticipation. The promos fail to really give much away and if anything toy with one’s curiosity. Add to that Shahid Kapoor in his first double role and acting opposite rumored real-life on-again/off-again flame Priyanka Chopra, and we find ourselves wondering on an almost daily basis, “is it out yet?”
Film: Dil Bole Hadippa!
Directed by: Anurag Singh
Starring: Shahid Kapoor & Rani Mukherjee
Release Date: September 18, 2009
What’s the big deal anyway? The return of Rani Mukherjee. Enough said. Ok, ok…we will give you more than that. In addition to the undisputed queen of new millennium (she remains our queen until someone proves these new starlets can actually act), it also looks like a throwback to the sort of rustic love stories that made Yashraj Films so popular in their hayday. We are not overtly convinced with the cricket sidetrack – did no one learn from Harman Baweja’s disastrous Victory? – it should make for typical Eid weekend fodder.
Film: Wanted
Directed by: Prabhu Deva
Starring: Salman Khan & Ayesha Takia Azmi
Release Date: September 18, 2009
What’s the big deal anyway? That Salman Khan’s recent cinematic endeavors have been forgettable is putting it lightly. We are about 99.9% sure that most of you did not even bother with God Tussi Great Ho or Yuvvraaj, and we kind of want to see if Salman can still rock the action hero mould that he once championed. He will also make a curious pairing with newlywed Ayesha Takia Azmi (yes, she has taken her husband’s name), even if this South Indian remake does look very Ghajini. But with dance icon Prabhu Deva at the helm, surely something good will come of it. We may even witness Salman do a decent dance for the first time in a decade.
Film: Wake Up Sid
Directed by: Ayan Mukherji
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor & Konkona Sen Sharma
Release Date: October 2, 2009
What’s the big deal anyway? Art house favorite Konkona Sen Sharma paired with the untapped talent of Ranbir Kapoor? We are so there. The latter has been hard done by eagerly awaited films that didn’t quite live up to the hype, but we see a spark somewhat akin to Hrithik Roshan in his early days. The director may be new, but Karan Johar takes the reigns as producer and looks to be taking a leaf out of pal Farhan Akhtar’s book by expanding upon his offbeat portfolio.
Ok, that list may have extended to October, but we took the leeway of extending beyond the summer given the length of the strike. That, plus the vast majority of films set to hit the marquee in the coming months look abysmal, at best. And on that positive note, look out for our recommendations and don’t make us say “we told you so”!
