Cinephiles have plenty to look forward to in 2026. The year is serving up a tantalizing cocktail of passion projects, high-octane action dramas, gripping spy sagas, sweeping romances, patriotic tales and real-life narratives. Here’s a peek at the Hindi films and series that already have fans buzzing.
HAPPY PATEL KHATARNAK JASOOS
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Directed By: Vir Das
Starring: Vir Das, Mona Singh, Aamir Khan, Imran Khan
January may not boast any blockbuster releases this year, but it does bring the assurance of Aamir Khan’s ‘hatke’ cinema with popular comedian Vir Das holding the directorial baton. The film in question, Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos, is a quirky, offbeat spy-comedy starring Vir Das, Mona Singh and Imran Khan, with Aamir Khan popping in for a cameo. While the plotline remains tightly tucked away, Vir Das, who makes his directorial debut with this film, said in an interview, “I have very cinematic dreams, there’s camera angles, there’s a soundtrack... I don’t know yet if I am any good as a director. But I know it’s what I have been searching for.” With Aamir Khan producing the film, expectations are already sky-high
O’ ROMEO
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Directed By Vishal Bhardwaj
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri
The Bard of Indian Cinema, Vishal Bhardwaj, returns to the big screen after three years, and naturally, the excitement is at an all-time high. O’ Romeo is another passion project by the maestro, who has given us iconic films like Maqbool, Omkara, Kaminey and Haider. The film is an action-thriller with Shahid Kapoor taking on a complex and intense lead role. Given Bhardwaj and Kapoor’s history with Kaminey and Haider, cinephiles’ enthusiasm for this one is understandably off the charts.
ALPHA
Release Date: April 17, 2026
Directed By: Shiv Rawail
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari
After hugely successful films like Tiger, Pathaan, and War, YRF is expanding its spy universe with Alpha—the first female-led film in its spy-verse. Headlining the project is the feisty Alia Bhatt, joined by the rising star Sharvari. Both these power gals will be seen playing super-agents. The title announcement featured Alia delivering a powerful line: “Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar aur humare program ka motto… sabse pehle, sabse tezz, sabse veer. Dhyaan se dekho toh har sheher mein ek jungle hai. Aur jungle mein hamesha raj karega… ALPHA!” With slick action and two formidable female leads at its core, Alpha is set to create serious mayhem on the big screen.
LOVE & WAR
Release Date: August 14, 2026
Directed By: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is returning to the big screen with yet another epic romantic saga with an equally epic casting, and cinephiles are obviously losing their calm. Speaking about the film, Bhansali said, “It is a love story that I am making after a long time. A slightly contemporary work, different from the dances, pillars, architecture, drapes, curtains and jewelry. It’s a new language, milieu, and ambience for me.” Bhansali has never failed to impress, and one can’t expect anything less from Love & War.
KING
Release Date: To be announced
Directed By: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Shah Rukh Khan teaming up again with Siddharth Anand after Pathaan is enough for fans to start booking tickets in advance. King is being touted as India’s biggest action film yet, with massive action sequences shot across real locations. And SRK, sporting a rugged tattooed look with salt-and-pepper hair in the teaser, has already sent fans into a frenzy. While the details are strictly under wraps, SRK promises King to be a solid entertainer. Speaking at an event, SRK said, “I can’t tell you much because my director, Siddharth Anand, is very strict. But I can assure you it will be entertaining, and you will love watching it in theatre.” We certainly can’t wait.
THE REVOLUTIONARIES (Series)
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Release Date: To be announced
Directed by: Nikkhil Advani
Starring: Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada, Jason Shah
Based on Sanjeev Sanyal’s widely discussed book Revolutionaries, this period drama, directed by Nikhil Advani, dives into the lesser-known chapters of India’s independence movement. The series follows a group of young revolutionaries who engage in armed resistance against British colonial rule. Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals, Prime Video, said, "The Revolutionaries is an ambitious and deeply meaningful project for us, and we are delighted to once again join forces with our long-time collaborator Nikkhil Advani and the talented team at Emmay Entertainment.”
OPERATION SAFED SAGAR (Series)
OTT Platform: Netflix
Release Date: To be announced
Directed By: Oni Sen
Starring: Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja
Based on true events, Operation Safed Sagar is another web series to look forward to in 2026. Operation Safed Sagar was the code name assigned to the Indian Air Force's role in acting jointly with the Indian Army during the 1999 Kargil war that was aimed at flushing out regular and irregular troops of the Pakistani Army from vacated Indian Positions in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control. Since its announcement, the series has created significant buzz among viewers and history enthusiasts alike.
