From Akshay Kumar to Ranbir Kapoor, Bollywood brings bonanza in 2018

2018 is one of those rare years in Hindi cinema when the box-office mettle of most stars will be tested. The true-blue superstars will look to set records with their releases, while the others will, of course, try to consolidate their position in the hierarchy. The rest of the actors will just deliver solid performances and keep the critics happy. Whatever it is, the janta can have a field day because they will be spoilt for choice.

AKSHAY WILL LEAD THE WAY

Akshay Kumar, who is currently riding a wave, will kick-start the year with yet another socially relevant entertainer titled Pad Man. The film is produced by his author wife Twinkle Khanna aka Mrs Funnybones. And, Akki who is currently on a break in South Africa, is doubly-passionate about this film because it’s got his biwi’s name right on top. Akki will also play ‘bad’ in 2:0 with Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth playing the hero. This movie is likely to set summer temperatures soaring with the petite Amy Jackson adding a sparkle to the proceedings. Akshay is also likely to strike ‘gold’ with Reema Kagti’s sports drama that will release on Independence Day weekend. Told ya, this National Award-winner never slows down.

KISSA KHANS KA

Saif Ali Khan hasn’t had a great run at the box office. But he is sure his January release Kaalakaandi will break the jinx. The film, which marks the directorial debut of Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma, looks quite edgy. Meanwhile, the Khan triumvirate — Salman, Aamir, and Shah Rukh — will be seen in different avatars. Salman will romance Jacqueline Fernandez in Race 3. Aamir Khan has taken the Diwali week (the best week for a release in 2018 because of the number of National holidays) for Thugs of Hindostan in which he has his current muse Fatima Sana Shaikh and Katrina Kaif for company. He is also teaming up with Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in this period drama that has a mega-budget. Shah Rukh Khan has decided to become a dwarf in master storyteller Aanand L Rai’s film that has Anushka Sharma and Kat in the female cast. SRK is hoping to dwarf the competition with this outing by bringing it in the favourable period leading up to Christmas.

AJAY’S THREE OUTINGS

Jubilant from the success of Golmaal Again, Ajay Devgn has decided to work harder than ever. He starts the year in March with Raid, a film that is inspired by true events. In October, he is expected to come up with an interesting romantic caper where he will be paired with a young girl and also have Tabu being another angle in the triangle. And, on December 7, he will be in the mood for Total Dhamaal.

DHAWAN WILL KEEP HIS FANS HAPPY

Varun Dhawan will do a balancing act this year. In Shoojit Sircar’s October, which releases in April, he will be seen sans make-up romancing fresh-faced Banita Sandhu. Less than six months later on September 28, he will essay the lead role in  Sharat Kataria’s Sui Dhaga, where he stars with Anushka Sharma.

RANBIR BANEGA DUTT

This year, things might finally start looking up for Ranbir Kapoor, who experimented with the musical-thriller Jagga Jasoos in 2017 that had a dismal run at the box office. On March 30, RK Junior will visit the marquee in his role as Sanjay Dutt. Being directed by the father of all storytellers, Rajkumar Hirani, Dutt (tentatively titled), the biopic is expected to hit the ball out of the park.

SINGH IS KING

Ranveer Singh, who went missing in 2017 with Padmavati (name of which may be changed to Padmavat) coming under a cloud, will have two releases this year. After Padmavati, which will finally see the light of the day, the young Turk will play a cop in Rohit Shetty and Karan Johar’s home production Simmba on December 28. He is also shooting for the Kapil Dev biopic with Kabir Khan and Gully Boy with Zoya Akhtar. It’s not confirmed yet, whether both these films will release this year. But with Ranveer on top of things, the number of releases hardly matter.

ROSHAN COULD LIGHT UP PROCEEDINGS

Hrithik Roshan, who became Rip Van Winkle and took a long slumber after his impressive act as the visually-challenged man in Kaabil that released last January, has woken up. He has agreed to do Super 30, a biopic on mathematics wiz Anand Kumar. The Vikas Bahl directorial is likely to be a game-changer.

 THE BIG B CONTINUES TO HOLD SWAY

Amitabh Bachchan may be 75, but honestly, age has done nothing to diminish his magic.  Instead, he continues to shock and awe. He will be seen as a centenarian in Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out and then guess what?  He is doing something “truly interesting’’ with Aamir in Thugs of Hindostan.

THIS KAPOOR WILL GIVE IT A SHOT TOO

Arjun Kapoor had a couple of poor runs in 2017 with Half Girlfriend and Mubarakan not getting their rightful due. However, he’s going to try and change that in August 2018 with Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar where he is paired with Parineeti Chopra. Let’s hope the film, in which the lead-pair elopes, also finds its own run.

MALHOTRA KA KYA?

Sidharth Malhotra lost face with A Gentleman, but managed to salvage some of his pride and dignity with the murder mystery Ittefaq. He starts the year with Neeraj Pandey’s thriller Aiyaary where he has the versatile Manoj Bajpayee playing his guru. Let’s wait and see if the chela delivers on this one, just as his guru usually does.

RAJKUMMAR RULE KAREGA

Rajkummar Rao, who was the scene-stealer in 2017 walking away with nothing but accolades for Newton and Bareilly ki Barfi, has interesting releases lined up in this year, too. He has Hansal Mehta’s Omerta, Fanne Khan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anil Kapoor and Chor Nikhal Ke Bhaga listed. None of these films have definite release dates allotted but then what the hell? They will come and when they do, Rao will once again wow critics.

AYUSHMANN WILL ONCE AGAIN LEAVE HIS MARK

Ayushmann Khurrana is dabbling with interesting work. He has Amit Sharma’s Badhaai Ho with Sanya Malhotra and Sriram Raghavan’s thriller Shoot the Piano Player (working title) with Tabu and Radhika Apte. Ayushmann, who had a good year with Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Bareilly Ki Barfi, has finally found his niche and is quietly stealing a march over less-talented stars, whose aura may be big, but whose talent is not as far-reaching.

SHAHID HAS GOT HIS ACT RIGHT

Shahid Kapoor, who plays Raja Rawal Ratan Singh in Padmavati (title of which may change to Padmavat, has chosen yet another exciting film for next year. He will be seen in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha director Shree Narayan Singh’s Batti Gul Meter Chalu. It’s a socially-relevant film and Shahid is entering a new territory with this one.

SUSHANT IS ROMANCING SARA

Sushant Singh Rajput is reportedly romancing Kriti Sanon in real life, but on reel he is serenading the gorgeous Sara Ali Khan in Abhishek Kapoor’s romantic adventure Kedarnath. This film, which arrives at the end of the year, is being touted as one of the most ‘exciting’ projects of 2018. Sushant will also drive up with Jacqueline Fernandez in Tarun Mansukhani’s Drive as early as March. And he may just surprise people by finishing another quickie in between these two films.