2021: The Year Of Hope
2020 has been a harsh year for more reasons than one. The coronavirus-induced economic slowdown, the nationwide lockdown and the global population spending most of its waking hours indoors were some of the many factors that made 2020 challenging.
Bollywood, too, was hit by the pandemic. Several of the much-awaited films which were due to release this year were pushed to 2021 by their respective producers. We have prepared a comprehensive list of Bollywood films that are expected to rel
ease in 2021.
Whether these films will release on OTT (Over The Top content) platforms first or go for a direct theatre release (that is, if the new Covid strain remains in control), is not yet known. However, what is known for sure is that these films will keep the entertainment quotient high. Here they are:
‘Sooryavanshi’
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Ranveer Singh, Ajay Devgn
Directed by Rohit Shetty, ‘Sooryavanshi’ will bring the film-maker’s rather ambitious cop story to life. The film marks Katrina Kaif’s return after a long hiatus as she plays the leading lady.
The film was expected to release on March 27 this year, but was delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown. While the release date of the cop film hasn’t been finalised yet, trade analyst Taran Adarsh feels that the Akshay Kumar-starrer will be released in March 2021.
‘‘83’
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone
Based on India’s first World Cup win in 1983, the Kabir Khan-directorial was expected to release in April this year but was shelved due to the pandemic.
Since then, rumours mills on the Internet were running overtime and speculations are rife that the film might release on popular OTT platforms. However, the makers seem adamant on releasing the film in cinemas.
‘‘83’ marks the first time Padukone and Singh are coming together on screen after tying the knot in 2018.
Industry analysts predict that ‘’83’ could open in the first quarter of 2021. Several posters of Singh playing the legendary cricketer Kapil Dev have also been released as promotional material.
‘Laal Singh Chaddha’
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan
Often called Bollywood’s ‘Mr. Perfectionist’, Aamir Khan’s last film’ Thugs of Hindostan’ failed to impress even his loyal fans. Come Christmas 2021, the megastar has the remake of Tom Hanks-starrer ‘Forrest Gump’ in store.
Shot across multiple locations and countries including Turkey, the film was slated to release this year but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The film shows Khan in a new avatar of a Sikh man. The film wrapped up shooting in October. The leading lady Kareena Kapoor Khan said that shooting in the middle of the pandemic was risky but worth it.
All eyes on Christmas 2021? You bet!
‘Brahmastra’
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor
After Karan Johar’s magnum opus ‘Kalank’ failed to impress the audience and critics back in 2019, the producer is all set to release ‘Brahmastra’, the first part of an ambitious trilogy which stars real-life couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor as the leading pair.
On March 6, 2019, the couple and director Ayan Mukherjee flew to Prayagraj for the unveiling of the Brahmastra logo. Around 150 drones lit up the sky to form the film’s logo at Kumbh on Mahashivratri. The film was initially set to release in May 2020 but was pushed.