The humungous success of Pathaan has set the perfect tone for 2023 in the Hindi film universe, and looking at the eclectic slate of films lined up for release in the coming months; it seems like Bollywood is all set to serve up a feast of cinema. There is a film for every kind of movie-goer and the slate looks tantalizing. From rom-coms like Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar and inspiring real-life dramas like Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway to action-adventures like Bholaa and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, cinephiles can get ready for more sensational films in the coming months. Block your dates now.
TU JHOOTI MAIN MAKKAAR
Release date: March 8, 2023
Directed by: Luv Ranjan
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Boney Kapoor
Filmmaker Luv Ranjan is renowned for his unique take on modern-day relationships in his films and has delivered hits like Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and De De Pyaar De. Each film of his is full of surprises, and his upcoming film, Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar, looks to be much the same and is packed with all the quintessential elements that are a hallmark of a Luv Ranjan film. Commenting about his collaboration with director Luv Ranjan, Ranbir said, “When I saw Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, I called up Luv Ranjan and said I would love to collaborate with him. Then we met and discussed a lot of ideas, we even announced a film with me and Ajay (Devgn), and after a few months, Luv came to me and discussed the idea of Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar. It had a lot of love; it had a lot of warmth; it had that family feeling, and it had a lot of entertainment. So, I was eager to be a part of this film, and I am really happy that I got to be a part of this film.” Quirky, fun and oddly endearing, the film's trailer shows us a mad game of love between Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, where they fall in love and then desperately try to fall out of it, getting us very excited indeed.
MRS CHATTERJEE VS NORWAY
Release date: March 17, 2023
Directed by: Ashima Chibber
Starring: Rani Mukerji, Anirban Bhattacharya
It is always a delight to watch the firecracker actress Rani Mukerji on screen. And this year, the stellar actress returns to the 70mm as a doting mother who shakes up an entire nation with her courage and willpower to win back her children. Based on real-life events, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway tells the inspiring story of an immigrant Indian woman’s battle against the Norwegian foster care system and local legal machinery to win back the custody of her children. Talking about the film, Rani said, “My next project, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, is a film very close to my heart. I am hoping that the story of this film will resonate with every Indian the way it did for me and my team. It’s an incredible story of human resilience that will appeal to audiences across the country and every age group.” Now, this makes the movie utterly unmissable.
BHEED
Release date: March 24, 2023
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Rajkumar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Ashutosh Rana
Set against the backdrop of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in India, director Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed claims to have captured the intricacies and inconsistencies of the modern world. Featuring the very talented Rajkumar Rao, Bheed will shed light on the difficult circumstances that India experienced during the lockdown. Commenting about the film, director Anubhav Sinha said, “Bheed is a story that sheds light on the social disparity that the country faced in the toughest of times. It was imperative for me to bring this story to life and share it with the audience.” Going by Anubhav Sinha’s last few hard-hitting films — Article 15, Thappad, and Anek, there is certainly a lot to look forward to with Bheed.
BHOLAA
Release date: March 30, 2023
Directed by: Ajay Devgn
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Sanjay Mishra, Deepak Dobriyal, Makarand Deshpande
If the action-packed teasers are anything to go by, Bholaa featuring versatile actor Ajay Devgn will be an absolute treat. A remake of the 2019 Tamil hit film Kaithi, Bholaa is an action-thriller set on an intriguing premise, where one man fights a multitude of enemies in various forms in one night. It is a story of a recently released prisoner who is on his way to meet his daughter but gets caught up in a dangerous face-off between police and the drug mafia. An action extravaganza, Bholaa shall be turned into a franchise. Ajay, who is also directing the film, said, “It is planned as a franchise. When you see the film, there is a surprise element.” Fronted by Ajay Devgn, Bholaa is supported by powerhouses of talent like Tabu, Sanjay Mishra, Deepak Dobriyal, Makarand Deshpande and an alleged cameo by Abhishek Bachchan, which makes the film all the more exciting.
KISI KA BHAI KISI KI JAAN
Release date: April 21, 23
Directed by: Farhad Samji
Starring: Salman Khan, Venkatesh, Pooja Hegde, Shehnaaz Kaur Gill
Like all Bhaijaan's films, there is a dizzying amount of excitement for Salman Khan’s upcoming film — Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, and understandably so, especially if one looks at the recently dropped power-packed teaser. From a high-octane train sequence to a jaw-dropping car chase, the teaser gives a glimpse of what to expect from the superstar’s Eid outing this year. While the makers are tight-lipped about the film, it is learned that the core plot of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is based on the 2014 Tamil film, Veeram. Touted to be an action-packed family entertainer, the film also features Pooja Hegde, Shehnaaz Kaur Gill, and popular influencers Just Sul and Abdu Rozik. What’s more, the film will also have a cameo of South superstar Ram Charan. Speaking about Ram Charan’s special appearance in the film, Salman said at the trailer launch of GodFather, “So, we were shooting in Hyderabad, and Venky (Venkatesh) was there with me during shooting. He (Ram Charan) came to see me. He said, 'I want to be with you and Venky in the same frame.' I thought he was just kidding. But the next day he got his costume and was there before us. That's how he came into the film, and we had a great time shooting.” Will the film be good? Who knows, but it certainly shall have all the Salman-ian swag that the superstar is loved for, which will make this spectacle worth watching.
