After a depressing look on the early side of 2009, now we finally get some heat going in the second half of the year. So do we have some biggies up for this
year? Stand back!



New York
26th June

Brief: Abraham. Kaif. Khan. Mukesh. A start to the second half with Yashraj's film about scapegoating in American, mainly being victims are Muslims which all four characters play.

Est Budget: 10 - 15 crores

Daftest rumour: SRK does a cameo in the film

Believable Trivia: John Abraham studied the Quran for the film

Predicted verdict:

Average (India)
Below Average (Overseas)




Kambhaktt Ishq
3rd July

Brief: Sajid Nadiawala's first film since his blockbuster Heyy Babyy two years ago. Akshay, after a rough year and Kareena after being on a safe side. On yes, Sly Stallone is in the film too.

Est Budget: 30 - 35 crores

Daftest rumour: Sly Stallone only signed the film because of Akki's presence

Believale Trivia: Akshay told his director that make sure he does not overact at all

Predicted verdict:
#
Super Hit (India)
Super Hit (Overseas)




Shortkut - The Con Is On
10th July

Brief: Anil Kapoor produces a wacky comedy about a director and an actor starring his two good friends Akshay Khanna and Arshad Warsi . Famous writer Neeraj Vora directs after the smash hit Phir Hera Pheri.

Est Budget: 15 - 20 crores

Daftest rumour: The film is said to be a true account on the life of Amitabh Bachchan and Prakash Mehra

Believeable Trivia: The film was delayed for a while due to a slight problem between Anil and Neeraj

Predicted verdict:

Above Average (India)
Hit (Overseas)




Jashnn
10th July

Brief: Mahesh Bhatt once again produces a film with a new cast or not well known cast. The film is about music and like always every Mahesh Bhatt film's music always stands tall.

Est Budget: 8 - 10 crores

Daftest rumour: Mahesh Bhatt ghost directed the film

Believable Trivia: The main leads have all been to acting school

Predicted verdict:

Average (India)
Flop (Overseas)




Luck
24th July
Brief: Soham's second film after the 'not so successful' Kaal and comes back in crime thriller about six people on the hunt for cash and being played by a underworld kingpin. The film has been in the making for over the last 2-3 years. Hopefully, it wont be a letdown.

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Amitabh Bachchan was originally offered the role of Mithun

Believable Trivia: Sanjay Dutt wanted to co-produce the film

Predicted verdict:

Hit (India)
Above Average (Overseas)




Love Aaj Kal
31st July

Brief: A little like Raj Kapoor's Kal Aaj Aur Kal, this film again talks about the difference between yesterday and today but maybe and we have a Veer (yesterday) and a JaI (today) both falling in love but in a different time era.

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Saif Ali Khan wanted Akshay to play the role of Veer. Dont know how that works!

Believable Trivia: Saif learnt to tie his Turban everyday

Predicted verdict:

Hit (India)
Super Hit (Overseas)




Agyaat
7th Aug

Brief: A strange 'jungle' type of thriller coming from the master Ram Gopal Varma. After Phoonk, things have been in favour for him but nowdays, people will argue that he has lost it. Lets see if he can makes this one watchable.

Est Budget: 5 - 8 crores

Daftest rumour: Its based loosely on Blair Witch Project

Believable Trivia: A remake of Ten Little Niggers and Gumnaam

Predicted verdict:

Flop (India)
Disaster (Overseas - if it gets a release!)




Kaminay
14th July

Brief: After a long gap, Vishal Bhardwaj is back to direction since Omkara. We hope he pulls this one off just perfectly. Shahid Kapoor's proper offbeat film and hopefully he may pull in the crowd.

Est Budget: 8 - 15 crores

Daftest rumour: Shahid rejected the script the first time he read it

Believable Trivia: Priyanka and Shahid built a relationship during the film

Predicted verdict:

Below Average (India)
Flop (Overseas)




Life Partner
14th July

Brief: Govinda returns with his first comedy of the year along side with a few side kicks. Rumi Jaffery, directs after the super flop God Tussi Great Ho, hopefully this one will be a better one. Lets see what he copies now!

Est Budget: 10 - 15 crores

Daftest rumour: Govinda demanded a hike in his paycheck halfway during the making

Believable Trivia: David Dhawan refused to direct the film

Predicted Vedict:

Average (India)
Above Average(Overseas)




Dil Bole Hadippa
18th September

Brief: Yashraj's second film during the summer, hopefully this one should be entertaining. Rani Mukerjee and Shahid Kapoor star in the one, it may even Yashraj back on the map, who knows! And yes, the yesteryear star Poonam Dhillion returns!

Est Budget: 10 - 15 crores

Daftest rumour: Yashraj forced Poonam Dhillon to take part in the film

Believable Trivia: Rani Mukerjeet wears a Turban in a song and a few sequences

Predicted Verdict:

Semi Hit (India)
Average (Overseas)




Wanted
18th September

Brief: Salman Khan comes back to action after trying out a few different genres, finally, he back the way he was! The film is a remake of the Tamil hit Pokkiri directed by the same director and yesteryear 'micheal jackson' Prabudeva. The film is all set to put box office records straight.

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Salman Khan wanted Prabudeva to teach him the dance steps

Believable Trivia: Salman re-shot some sequences and songs as he says he looked overweight in some scenes

Predicted Verdict:

Blockbuster (India)
Super Hit (Overseas)




What's Your Raashee?
25th September

Brief: Ashutosh Gowaikar won praises for his last feature Jodha Akbar and bagged some heavy awards too. Now, he goes a little off track then his normal offbeat films and looks as if hes come back to commercial. Stars real life couple Priyanka Chopra and Hurman Baweja.

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Ashutosh wanted to cast Hrithik in the role of Hurman Baweja

Believeable Trivia: Priyanka and Ashutosh seem to have a dispute over some comments said by Ashutosh

Predicted Verdict:

Hit (India)
Semi-Hit (Overseas)




Do Knot Disturb
2nd Oct

Brief: David Dhawan. Govinda. Nadeem-Shravan. All team back together once again after years, bringing back one of the most awaited comedies of the year. And David and Govinda's first film since the smash hit Partner!

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: The film is inspired from BR Chopra's Pati Patni Aur Woh

Believeable Trivia: Nadeem - Shravan did not charge for the film

Predicted Verdict:

Hit (India)
Hit (Overseas)




Wake Up Sid
2nd Oct

Brief: Ranbir Kapoor's hit the jackpot with another solo starrer under another big banner. This one is about a lazy, useless boy who just needs to come out of his own world, one day that is.

Est Budget: 15 - 20 crores

Daftest rumour: Ayan Mukerji was Karan's tea boy

Believable Trivia: Rahul Khanna does a cameo in a important role

Predicted Vedict:

Average (India)
Below Average (Overseas)




Aladin
16th Oct

Brief: Sujoy Ghosh's last film he totally screwed up but now it seems he may have reformed. Ritesh Deshmukh and Amitabh play characters from the classical tale of Aladin, but indianised! And yes, Sanjay Dutt, the highlight of the film, plays a negative role, yay!

Est Budget: 30 - 35 crores

Daftest rumour: A Hollywood company told them to remove the second 'd' as another Aladdin is in process

Believeable Trivia: The film has been in making for almost 3 years

Predicted Verdict:

Above Average (India)
Average (Overseas)



Blue
16th Oct

Brief: Said to be one of the most expensive films made, the film has a huge star cast with Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar coming together after 15 years since Sanjay totally had him over in Amaanat. The has something to do with underwater diving, maybe a copy of Jaws! And yes, Lara and Katrina add spice to the film!

Budget: 100 crores

Daftest rumour: Akshay and Sanjay have a nude scene each

Believeable Trivia: Akshay demaned equal screentime to Sanjay

Predicted verdict:

Super Hit (India)
Hit (Overseas)




Main Aur Mrs Khanna
16th Oct

Breif: Salman and Kareena come again after the mega flop Kyonki. And this time, as we believe they play husband and wife, accordingly. At the moment we are not too sure what the exact film is about, a comedy, drama, thriller!

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Kareena rufused to work in a scene with Sohail Khan

Believable Trivia: A remake of Mrs Right

Predicated verdict:

Hit (India)
Hit (Overseas)




London Dreams
30th Oct

Brief: Ajay and Salman come together once again after the classic Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, years later then fight over another girl! Just a little younger, see how this is another Salman film in the same year!

Est Budget: 35 - 40 crores

Daftest rumour: Salman caused chaos in London while shooting for the film

Believable Trivia: Rajkumar Santoshi dropped directing the film

Predicted verdict:

Super Hit (India)
Hit (Overseas)




Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
6th Nov

Brief: Katrina and Ranbir. Wierd jodi but who cares, Rajkumar Santoshi is directing! And oddly, it seems to be a love story, something Santoshi has not tackled before

Est Budget: 20 - 25 crores

Daftest rumour: Rajkumar wanted both to do the film with Sunny and Meenakshi years back

Believable Trivia: Salman does a cameo

Predicted Verdict:

Hit (India)
Average (Overseas)




De Dana Dan
27th Nov
Brief: No, its a not a remake of Amar Akbar Anothny. But the Hera Pheri gang returns, with its original director, lets wait and see!

Est Budget: 35 - 40 crores

Daftest rumour: The script started out as Hera Pheri 4

Believable Trivia: Akshay's dream project since Hera Pheri

Predicted verdict:

Blockbuster (India)
Super Hit (Overseas)



Est = Rough idea

Sengh saab, thanks for the details on upcoming releases...........unfortunately nothing I'm really looking forward to in the list.

Couple of small points (sorry to be so pedantic!!) - you need to change the title from 2008 to 2009!!!! And Rajkumar Santoshi has done a love story before - he directed Barsaat with Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna if I remember correctly?

You serious about Nadeem Shravan doing the music for Do Knot Disturb? Why would anyone want to sign them again?!

what about 3 idiots? and my name is khan,they shouldnt be too bad..

LOL, Title changed! I think when Barsaat was released it was launched as an action film but the film ended up being an action/adventure/romantic film. While Ajab Kahani... is a full romantic film.

Yes, Nadeem - Shravan are back on the map!

Both of them haven't been confirmed for 2009 yet...

Not one of those films hold any interest from me.

Ali

How can you not be looking forward to seeing 'Kaminay'? Surely, Vishal Bhardwaj has earned that much respect with films like 'Maqbool', 'Omkaara', & 'Blue Umbrella'.

God help us all.

yep having dismissed it just looking at Shahid Kapoor's face on the poster cover I was just reading the synopsis on imdb, sounds good and with it being a Vishal Bhardwaj film it should be a good watch too - I didn't really like the Blue Umbrella but Maqbool & Omkaara were both excellent.

Ali

Anurag Kashyap on...

Holiday season for me, so might be able to catch this at the cinema...assuming someone is showing it

Kutte Kaminey sounds crap. imho, gulzar and vishal and lost steam, too quick! Gulzar sahab tried too hard to fit into anand bakshi's shoes but in the end he could not stay fitted in hois own shoes.

Sound track, starts ok, but loose steam becoming victim of familiarity right away!

Vishal imho, is going to join Ramu in the league of extra ordinary crappy, bankarupt of idea type directors!

Where after you have finished smelling bachan clan backs, are left with gay rukh, aamir on botox

After Makdee, Maqbool, The Blue Umbrella and Omkara, why do you think Vishal is bankrupt of ideas?

makdee and blue umbrella were his failed attempts on children cinema! omkara was follow up on maqbool, and idea was not original. now kutte kaminey is just another sequel to maqbool, omkara imho. If yous differ from mine? I respect that!

I do have to disagree with you Zoran bhai - I thought Makdee was one of the best children's films I've seen, but I didn't really enjoy The Blue Umbrella. I never really saw Omkara as a follow up to Maqbool, and don't know enough about Kaminey to comment - but I don't think it looks very similar to Omkara from what I've seen.

Just out of interest.............are there any directors in Bollywood you actually like?!?!?

LOL I would like you to take a shot at it!

Makdee was good, partly, but not quite wholesome as kids movie should have been. Songs, and unnecessary bollywood style villains are not my taste for kids films. Nevertheless it was a good attempt. Actually Umbrella was better conceived but as it was based on short story so did not quite encompassed a film scenario, and again adding melodramatic events, songs take away fun, but it was not made to create a fun film.

Basically kids films should be where kids, behave, act, appear, and talk like kids not like mini adults!or kids with precocious puberty!

Indeed, that was my point, Omkara was just like maqbool, and kutte Kaminey will follow the same path.

It is when a director meets a little success in one genre of his direction, he becomes obsessive with it like RGV did, and then they start sucking up to, big wigs like Bachans for commercial success or Sarook or aamir who are ghost directing and formulating the projects, taking creativity out putting their fat egoistic asses in there

Same thing happened to Farhan Akhtar!

Bottom line Bhardwaj is smart and capable of doing good ! Otherwise we doo have Bhaskar just kidding!