Thursday, May 28, 2026
ADVT 
Bollywood

The Big Screen Buzz: Bollywood’s Most Anticipated Releases

Shweta Kulkarni Darpan, 23 May, 2026 05:28 AM
  • The Big Screen Buzz: Bollywood’s Most Anticipated Releases

With multi-heroine entertainers clearly setting the tone for the season, and stories rooted in love, heartbreak, and messy relationships taking center stage, the coming months promise plenty of laughter, longing, and larger-than-life drama. Whether it is Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Cocktail 2 or Main Vaapas Aaunga—all essentially sit on the premise of love and complicated relationships. And then comes Welcome To The Jungle—a film so packed with stars that counting the cast may require an interval. So, if entertainment is what you seek, Bollywood has you covered.  

PATI PATNI AUR WOH DO 

Release date: May 15, 2026 
Directed by: Mudassar Aziz 
Starring: Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rakul Preet Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana  
 
Continuing with his trademark brand of cinema, with comedies built around husbands, wives, the ‘other woman’ and infidelity, director Mudassar Aziz returns to familiar territory—only this time with four times the chaos. If the 2019 hit Pati Patni Aur Woh featured one man stuck between two women, this spiritual sequel ups the ante by placing Ayushmann Khurrana opposite three leading ladies: Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi. While the plot details are firmly under wraps, insiders claim it to be a laugh riot packed with emotions and drama. Speaking about the film, Ayushmann Khurrana says, "With Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, we are taking a familiar, loved space and giving it a fresh, contemporary twist - the confusion, the humor, and the situation comedy will hopefully make people laugh their hearts out on 15th May when the film releases in theatres.” 
 
HAI JAWANI TOH ISHQ HONA HAI 

Release date: May 22, 2026 
Directed by: David Dhawan 
Starring: Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde, Varun Dhawan  
 
David Dhawan is back in the director’s chair after a six-year hiatus, and he returns with exactly what his audiences expect from him—high-energy madness! Starring son Varun Dhawan alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai explores the archetypal David Dhawan formula but with a contemporary lens. Talking about the film, the veteran director said, “It is full-on entertainment. There are twists and turns, and a lot is happening. It is my genre, but the screenplay is new. We are trying to create more scenes, different scenes, and all that. The plot is also very interesting.” David Dhawan’s cinema may often lean into familiar tropes, but one can’t refute the fact that he knows exactly how to entertain. Expect a full-blown masala spectacle packed with laughter, confusion, and chaos, the kind that will keep audiences thoroughly hooked. 

MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA 

Release date: June 12, 2026 
Directed by: Imtiaz Ali 
Starring: Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina 
 
No one tells love stories better than Imtiaz Ali. With Main Vaapas Aaunga, the director returns with what appears to be another emotionally layered romance—this time set against the backdrop of Partition. Apart from its story, the film boasts a formidable creative team: music by AR Rahman, lyrics by Irshad Kamil, and a cast featuring Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, and Vedang Raina. With Imtiaz Ali’s flair for weaving timelines, memories, and music into cinematic poetry, expectations are naturally sky-high. Describing the film, Imtiaz Ali said, “Main Vapas Aaunga is a simple story of partition time, remembered 78 years later.” Simple story or not, with this team involved, expect anything but ordinary. 
 
COCKTAIL 2 

Release date: June 19, 2026 
Directed by: Homi Adajania  
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor 
 
If the recently dropped first look of the upcoming film Cocktail 2 is anything to go by, director Homi Adajania has mixed another irresistible cocktail—with the right measure of love, friendship, and emotional madness. This time, the trio at the center of the storm includes Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna. Like its predecessor, the film explores modern relationships through glamour, music, and scenic backdrops—but with an entirely new story. Kriti Sanon shares, “The tone and atmosphere are in a comparable realm, yet the narrative and characters are entirely distinct. There’s no direct connection to Cocktail aside from the fact that it encompasses a mix, a cocktail of emotions, camaraderie, drama, music, and stunning locations.” Expect shaken hearts and stirred emotions set in beautiful locations.  
 
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE 

Release date: June 26, 2026 
Directed by: Ahmed Khan 
Starring: Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi 
 
If there is one film determined to prove that “the more, the merrier” is a winning formula, it is certainly Welcome To The Jungle. Featuring over 30 actors, the third instalment in the beloved Welcome franchise is undoubtedly one of the biggest ensemble comedies in mainstream Hindi cinema. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film promises grand sets, big personalities, and the chaotic energy that made the franchise such a fan favorite in the first place. But according to Khan, this outing leans more towards dark situational humor than slapstick comedy. Ahmed Khan said in an interview, “It’s black, dark, situational humor. It’s not a comedy. The producer always says we should not make comedy films. Firoz Nadiadwala believes in dark humor and situational humor. And of course, it’s serious cinema: not a comedy or slapstick.” With a cast this large, the fun quotient will be unlimited. 

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Kareena Kapoor wishes 'favourites' Soha, Kunal on 9th wedding anniversary

Kareena Kapoor wishes 'favourites' Soha, Kunal on 9th wedding anniversary
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan on Thursday showered love on her 'favourites' -- sister-in-law Soha Ali Khan, and brother-in-law Kunal Kemmu on their ninth wedding anniversary. Kunal and Soha got married in a private ceremony in Mumbai on January 25, 2015 in the presence of their family. The couple have a daughter Inaaya.

Kareena Kapoor wishes 'favourites' Soha, Kunal on 9th wedding anniversary

Bhumi Pednekar: Hope February is lucky for me again because of 'Bhakshak'

Bhumi Pednekar: Hope February is lucky for me again because of 'Bhakshak'
Bhumi said: "For me, the month of February has been most special ever since my debut as an actor. My first film 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' released in February and it got me so much love, acclaim and respect that it cemented my position as an envelope pushing actor in the industry."

Bhumi Pednekar: Hope February is lucky for me again because of 'Bhakshak'

Looking Forward To 2024: Must-Watch Films Of The Year

Looking Forward To 2024: Must-Watch Films Of The Year
Embark on a cinematic journey this year, as the silver screen awaits a stellar lineup of blockbusters movie. From the high-octane action of Hrithik Roshan's Fighter to the heartwarming tale of Aamir Khan's Sitare Zameen Par, and the eagerly anticipated sequel Pushpa 2, the movie calendar is brimming with cinematic treasures. Here’s the list of every movie you need to watch this year.

Looking Forward To 2024: Must-Watch Films Of The Year

Sushmita Sen: ‘Being Aarya Sareen on screen gave me a sense of power’

Sushmita Sen: ‘Being Aarya Sareen on screen gave me a sense of power’
Talking about her character of Aarya and it has proven to be her strength, Sushmita said: “It all started when Aarya’s family was shredded into pieces. Despite the messes and the misses, she rose to become the fearless sherni of the business but now it's beyond just playing a part in this game, it is justice. Despite whatever destiny holds for Aarya Sareen as she makes her fearless attack.”  

Sushmita Sen: ‘Being Aarya Sareen on screen gave me a sense of power’

Alia-Ranbir, Vicky-Katrina pose for star-studded selfie in Ayodhya

Alia-Ranbir, Vicky-Katrina pose for star-studded selfie in Ayodhya
As the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple was held in Ayodhya on Monday, several stars from the Hindi and southern film industries were seen attending the event. To make occasion memorable, Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor, his wife Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, his wife Katrina Kaif, Ayushmann Khurrana, and directors Rohit Shetty and Subhash Ghai posed for a selfie during the ceremony.  

Alia-Ranbir, Vicky-Katrina pose for star-studded selfie in Ayodhya

Arbaaz’s wishes for wife Shura: Saying 'Qubool Hai' to you were best words to come out of my mouth

Arbaaz’s wishes for wife Shura: Saying 'Qubool Hai' to you were best words to come out of my mouth
Actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan has shared a romantic birthday wish for his newly wedded wife Shura on Thursday. It was in December when Arbaaz married Shura. He was previously married to Malaika Arora, they got divorced in 2017 after 19 years of marriage.    

Arbaaz’s wishes for wife Shura: Saying 'Qubool Hai' to you were best words to come out of my mouth