2014, as we have already reported, is poised to be a big year for Indian cinema. As the year progresses, several big budget, multi-starrer films will hit the marquee. All the leading superstars have at least one, if not multiple films lined up for this year. From January itself, the slate looks happily full for Bollywood.
Though we do not necessarily possess a crystal ball, there are certain films we know for sure will end up being blockbusters. These are tried and tested formulas, ones we’ve seen work time and again in Bollywood. The films that we predict will hit the jackpot, quite literally, this year are…
Happy New Year: Can a combination featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan and Deepika Padukone ever fail? The trio delivered a blockbuster way back in 2007, with Om Shanti Om, and look set to reprise the magic once again this year with Happy New Year. The film looks like a typical Farah Khan entertainer, and we hope to see her signature tongue-in-cheek humour. Also starring Sonu Sood, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani and newcomer Vivaan Shah, this heist film will certainly break the bank (pun intended) in 2014. Happy New Year gears up for a Diwali release, and here’s estimating the business will be easily in the 100+crore bracket.
Jai Ho: While his arch-rival has Happy New Year lined up for a Diwali release, how can Salman Khan be left behind. Salman will take the box office by storm, in the month of January itself. Usually synonymous with Eid releases, this time, Salman Khan and his director brother Sohail Khan have opted for a Republic Day release for their big-budget, socially conscious entertainer, Jai Ho. Action meeting a socially relevant topic is a sureshot recipe for bumper success, and if it is THE Salman Khan endorsing said social message, while delivering punches and throwing kicks, how can the film be destined for anything but hyper success. Another blockbuster, for sure. Stay tuned until Jai Ho hits the screens on 24 January, 2014.
Bang Bang: Hrithik Roshan suffered many setbacks during the filming of this Siddharth Anand action thriller. Adapted from Hollywood’s Knight and Day, which starred Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, Bang Bang was the film, during an action stunt of which, Hrithik suffered the near-fatal head injury. The superstar had to have remedial surgery subsequently, where a hole was reportedly drilled into his brain. Soon after, tragedy struck the light-eyed actor’s personal life too, with the sad news of Hrithik’s separation from his beautiful wife Suzanne did the rounds. Whether or not the film enters the blockbuster league, Hrithik will certainly remember this one for many years to come.
P.K.: It is said that whatever Aamir Khan touches, turns to gold. The alchemist-perfectionist has chosen Rajkumar Hirani’s P.K. as his next release, and rest assured his choice will bear fruit. Not for nothing is Aamir known to have a keen eye for the right kind of scripts. The superstar even famously recently declared that his considerations are not monetary while signing on a film, and that he is possibly the lowest paid actor among the top brass. P.K. is a political satire, and is scheduled for a June release. Remember the last time Aamir and Rajkumar Hirani collaborated, in 3 Idiots? That film went on to become the biggest blockbuster till date. We expect something similar from P.K.
Kick: Another Salman Khan starrer, Kick, directed by Sajid Nadiadwala is a remake of the 2009 Telugu superhit of the same name. The stunts Salman and gang have performed in the film have to reportedly be seen to be believed. Moreover, Salman bhai’s fans will be treated to a double-dose of the muscular superstar’s action antics this year, so there is no reason for this film to fail. Kick is looking at an Eid release, and will in all likelihood be Salman’s Eid gift for his loyal fans.
Bombay Velvet: Ranbir Kapoor, the newest superstar on the block, has tasted dizzying success last year, when his Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani became a superhit. For Anurag Kashyap’s dark and thrilling Bombay Velvet, the Kapoor scion has reportedly undergone intense training for many months, to suit the role of a street fighter. Ranbir has given it his all, and audiences will be sure to appreciate his efforts. Ranbir the chameleon plays every part he takes up with the utmost sincerity, be it of the deaf-and-mute boy in Barfi!, the yuppie nomad in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the reluctant politico in Raajneeti, or the marketing executive in Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year.
We wish Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor all the best for their forthcoming films.
