A number of high-profile films are in the pipeline, waiting to hit the screens in 2018. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, the most controversial film of the recent times, is yet to get out of the murky political turmoil it is caught in. The exquisitely shot period film will hopefully release in 2018, after fighting a tough battle against the right-wing groups. Among the big-budget films whose release dates aren’t confirmed are Rajinikanth’s 2.0 and Mohanlal’s Odiyan.
Here is a list of the most awaited films (Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam) of 2018:
Thugs Of Hindostan (Hindi, November 2018)
This film, written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, is made on a budget of Rs 210 crores, making it Yash Raj Production’s costliest feature film venture. A period-drama set in the early 19th Century India, Thugs Of Hindostan has an ensemble cast that includes coveted names such as Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. It is directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, and is based on an 1839 novel ‘Confessions Of A Thug’, written by Philip Meadows Taylor. The film is centered around Ameer Ali, a member of the criminal tribe, played by Aamir Khan. The film is shot in places such as Malta, Mumbai and Thailand.
Trance (Malayalam, April 2018)
Anwar Rasheed is one of the most revered names in contemporary Malayalam film industry. The director-producer has never had a bad phase in his career. His films, Rajamanikyam, Chotta Mumbai and Ustad Hotel were blockbusters, and his productions, Bangalore Days and Premam, were even bigger hits at box-office. Five years since his last directorial, he is returning with Trance. The film stars Fahadh Faasil in the lead role, has Resul Pookkutty doing the sound design and Amal Neerad as the director of photography. Although nothing about the film’s plot is out yet, the mighty team behind the film has already created a buzz on social media. Trance is set to release in April 2018, and in all possibilities, will be a film worth the wait.
Naachiyaar (Tamil)
Director Bala’s upcoming film has an unlikely lead pair – GV Prakash Kumar and Jyothika. The trailer of the film, which is reportedly based on the life of a man who murdered nine of his family members in Chennai in the 1980s, grabbed eyeballs for a cuss word that Jyothika utters. The moral debate on whether an actress could use a swear word on screen aside, the trailer garnered praises for its rawness and intrigue.
Anand L Rai-Shah Rukh Khan project (Hindi, December 2018)
Unlike his archrival Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, off late, has been choosing projects that lie out of his safe zone. He paired up with directors such as Manish Sharma and Imtiaz Ali last year, failing to make a blockbuster both the times. His next is a comedy, directed by Anand L Rai, the filmmaker who took Bollywood to the small-towns through his Tanu Weds Manu franchise. Apart from Khan, the film has Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif playing pivotal roles.
Carbon (Malayalam, January 2018)
Cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Venu has roped in Fahadh Faasil and Mamta Mohandas for his upcoming film, Carbon, a story that unfolds inside a forest. Carbon marks the first Malayalam project of KU Mohanan, one of the most sought after cinematographers in Bollywood. Fahadh plays a village loafer in the film, and Mamta, an urbane woman who seeks his help in delving into the thick forest. The film’s trailer was released recently on YouTube to a rave reception.
Kalaakandi (Hindi, January 2018)
Delhi Belly writer Akshat Varma promises a quirky ride again with Kalaakandi, this time with Saif Ali Khan in the lead role. The film is set against the backdrop of the underbelly of Mumbai, and is centered around six characters from diverse backgrounds.
Thaana Serndha Kootam (Tamil, January 2018)
Suriya stars as a sophisticated conman in this film, directed by Vignesh Sivan. Thaana Serndha Kootam, reportedly, is loosely based on the Bollywood film Special 26, starring Akshay Kumar. The songs of the film, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, have topped the charts already, and the trailer is a hit. The film, a heist comedy, has Ramya Krishnan and Keerthi Suresh playing pivotal roles.
Anjali Menon’s Untitled Project (Malayalam, 2018)
Anjali Menon knows the pulse of the box-office like no one else. Her Bangalore Days was a perfect potboiler, and one of the biggest hits in Malayalam cinema. She is now working on her next, starring Nazriya Nazim, Prithviraj and Parvathy in the lead roles. The film is set in Ooty, and is reportedly a film that caters to the youth. The film’s release date isn’t yet announced.
Simba (Hindi, December 2018)
Rohit Shetty, the master of no-brainer comedy, teams up with the energetic Ranveer Singh in this film. Shetty’s Golmaal Returns was the biggest money spinner of 2017, and going by the first look poster and the crew of the film, Simba might be no different. Ranveer is playing a corrupt cop in the film, which, reportedly, is an adaptation of the Telugu superhit Temper. The film is co-produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
Tik Tik Tik (Tamil, January 2018)
Jayam Ravi stars in this science-fiction, directed by Shakthi Sounder Rajan whose last venture was south India’s first zombie film, Miruthan. Going by the trailer of the film, Tik Tik Tik might not ape the usual Hollywood sci-fi thriller. Jayam Ravi plays an escape artiste in this film which revolves around an asteroid that is bound to hit the earth and the government’s efforts to avert the disaster.
Bhaagamathie (Tamil-Telugu, January 2018)
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Although the makers of Anushka Shetty’s Bhagmathie are tight-lipped about the film’s plot, there is a great deal of speculations and expectations around the project. This is Anushka’s first outing after her towering role in SS Rajamouli’s fantasy epic drama Baahubali. The film, directed by G Ashok, Unni Mukundan and Jayaram playing pivotal roles in it. The first look teaser of the film garnered record number of views on social media. The short video shows Anushka nailing herself to the wall of a dark palace.
Fanney Khan (Hindi, June 2018)
Directed by Atul Manjrekar, Fanney Khan brings together an unlikely mix of lead actors – Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao and Anil Kapoor. The film is reportedly, a remake of the Oscar nominated Dutch film, Everybody’s Famous. The shoot of the film began in Mumbai in September 2017.
Raazi (Hindi, May 2018)
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal plays the lead roles in Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi. The film is an adaptation of writer Harinder Sikka’s novel Calling Sehmat, which is centered around a Kashmiri spy who is married to a Pakistani man, set against the backdrop of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
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