Bollywood pins hope on 2021 as films await release

COVID-19 may have played spoilsport with the release calendar of Bollywood in 2020, but the Hindi film industry hopes to welcome audiences in cinema halls in the New Year with a variety of movie offerings in different genres.

Big-budget movies that could not release in the year gone by plan to make their way to theatres in 2021 where they will have to fight for space with the new films of the year. Some of the films expected to release in 2021 include Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi. Akshay also has Bachchan Pandey, Atrangi Re, and Bell Bottom in various stages of production.

Directed by Kabir Khan, 83, which narrates the story of India’s first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, has also been delayed for a year. Ranveer Singh plays the role of Kapil Dev and his actor-wife Deepika Padukone appears as Kapil’s wife Romi in the movie.

Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, the Salman Khan-starrer action-drama, is most likely to release on Eid, a festival that has always proved lucky for the superstar. Director Prabhudeva reunites with Salman after Dabangg 3. It stars Khan’s Bharat co-star Disha Patani and Randeep Hooda.

Maidaan is actor Ajay Devgn’s much-awaited sports drama which will see him portray the role of Syed Abdul Rahim, who served as the coach and manager of the Indian football team from 1950 until his death in 1963.

The only big film to have locked its release date on October 15, Maidaan is directed by Badhaai Ho! fame Amit Sharma.

Laal Singh Chadda, the Aamir Khan-starrer, is the official adaptation of Hollywood mega-hit Forrest Gump. Advait Chandan of Secret Superstar has directed the film, which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, south star

Vijay Setupathi and Mona Singh.

Brahmastra is directed by Ayan Mukherji. The three-film fantasy adventure series is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios.

The first part will see Ranbir Kapoor play Shiva, a man with special powers. The star-studed cast also features Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, south star Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy.

Shamshera is directed by Karan Malhotra, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Vaani Kapoor. The film has been described as a high-octane action entertainer.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film has been adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai.