HAQ
Directed by: Suparn S. Varma
Cast: Yami Gautam Dhar, Emraan Hashmi
Release date: November 7
Haq, with Yami Gautam Dhar at the front and centre, is inspired by the real-life Shah Bano Begum vs Mohd. Ahmed Khan case, a legal battle that took place 30 years ago and became a symbol of women’s rights and the long-debated Uniform Civil Code under Article 44 of the Constitution. Yami plays Shazia Bano, based on the real-life braveheart, with the film being directed by Suparn S. Varma, whose 2023 Manoj Bajpayee starrer Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is considered one of the most impactful courtroom dramas in recent Hindi cinema. Hashmi, playing Shazia’s husband and also her opponent in court, is solid in the trailer.
120 BAHADUR
Directed by: Razneesh Ghai
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Raashi Khanna
Release date: November 21
Yet another inspired-by-real-life story unfolds in the form of 120 Bahadur, in which Farhan Akhtar plays the lead. Based on the Battle of Rezang La, fought during the Indo-China aggression of 1962, 120 Bahadur is said to be a story of remarkable courage, heroism and selflessness shown by 120 men in uniform, led by Farhan’s Shaitan Singh. Director Razneesh Ghai last delivered a cold turkey with Kangana Ranaut’s aerial action film Dhaakad, but Farhan — whose sophomore outing as director was the much-acclaimed Lakshya two decades ago — knows more than a thing or two about how to craft a compelling film in this genre.
Gustaakh Ishq
Directed by: Vibhu Puri
Cast: Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah
Release date: November 21
Manish Malhotra, the producer, arrives on November 21 with this period romance, whose teaser — with a whiff of an old-world romance — has piqued our curiosity already. Rumoured real-life pair Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh play a couple in this Vibhu Puri directorial that provides a glimpse of Purani Dilli and the old, fading kothis of Punjab in its teaser. The presence of Naseeruddin Shah is a plus, but the real clincher is Gulzar’s lyrics brought to life by Vishal Bhardwaj’s music.
TERE ISHK MEIN
Directed by: Aanand L. Rai
Cast: Dhanush, Kriti Sanon
Release date: November 28
A fiery story of pride and passion. A tale of unrequited romance and unfulfilled love. The teaser of Tere Ishk Mein gives an inkling that this is no regular love story. Dhanush and Kriti Sanon play the lead in this Aanand L. Rai film, which promises to be different from the usual sappy romances Bolly throws at us every now and then. Rai is back with firm favourite Dhanush in a genre that the two have aced together before. Sign us up!
DHURANDHAR
Directed by: Aditya Dhar
Cast: Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun
Release date: December 5
The film that we are most excited for boasts one of the most intriguing teasers this year and has a cast that makes us want to queue up already. Ranveer Singh returns, more than two years after his lead role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, for this action-packed entertainer that marks the second directorial venture for Aditya Dhar, six years after his blockbuster debut in Uri: The Surgical Strike.
A long-haired Ranveer (though he may be giving a Ranbir Kapoor in Animal vibe in parts of the teaser) promises a heady ride and we can’t wait to see what Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal and a barely recognisable R. Madhavan bring to Dhurandhar, which translates (pretty aptly) to ‘stalwart’. For now, we are playing Hanumankind’s infectious title track on loop!
IKKIS
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Cast: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia
Releasing in: December
Thriller master Sriram Raghavan changes tracks to tell the real-life story of Arun Khetarpal, a posthumous recipient of India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, who went down at age 21 fighting in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Raghavan, who has given us brain-teasers like Andhadhun, Johnny Gaddaar and more recently, Merry Christmas, attempts to tug at our heartstrings with this story, that he claims is “not just another biopic”.
Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, who made his debut in The Archies two years ago, plays Khetarpal in the film that brings together Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, with Akshay Kumar’s niece Simar Bhatia making her acting debut.
ALPHA
Directed by: Shiv Rawail
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol
Release date: December 25
After the debacle called War 2, Yash Raj Films will look to set right their ambitious Spy Universe with this Christmas Day release which marks the first female-led film in this Universe. Alia Bhatt is joined by Sharvari in this adrenaline ride, that also stars Bobby Deol (who made an entry at the end of War 2 and segued into Alpha), and is directed by Shiv Rawail, the man behind the much-acclaimed web series The Railway Men. Alia is known to lend magic to every role she plays and Bobby is on a purple patch. Let’s see what Alpha has in store for us.
TU MERI MAIN TERA MAIN TERA TU MERI
Directed by: Sameer Vidwans
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday
Release date: December 31
Ananya Panday plays Rumi to Kartik Aaryan’s Ray in this love story that aims to end the year on a romantic note. Directing this mother of all tongue twisters of a film is Sameer Vidwans, who also helmed the Kartik-Kiara Advani social drama Satyaprem Ki Katha. The behind-the-scenes pictures from the film’s Croatia’s locales tell us that at least it will be an eye-pleasing watch (and that’s not counting its leads!)
Which three films from this list are you most keen on watching and why? Tell t2@abp.in
