New year, new films… new expectations. Here's listing the films that I am most looking forward to.

P.S - The release dates are subject to change, especially Hollywood movies whose Indian release often changes. 


Dedh Ishqiya (January 10)
directed by Abhishek Chaubey, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi

Plot :
Two romantic thieves continue their romantic adventures, as they go through 7 stages of love.
What To Look For :
Great twitter feedback on movie already makes this 1st main awaited movie of year. Though, I didn't quite love the 1st part, but Khalu-Babban pair was awesome.. Huma Qureshi could be surprise performer. The supporting cast is strong too, and expect lots of mad sequences.


American Hustle (January 17)
directed by David O. Russell, starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jenniffer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner 

Plot : 
A con man along with his seductive British Partner, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.
What To Look For : 
Massive star cast, Silver Linings was more of a over-rated movie for me but have a feeling this may work for me. And if it doesn't, then there's Jenniffer Lawrence to watch, she is looking damn hot in all the stills of movie.


Her (Febuary 14)
directed by Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Amy Adams

Plot :
A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.
What To Look For : 
I haven't even seen the trailer, don't know a thing about director or the lead actor, but the great reviews film has got in away India release, its Imdb rating, plus the plot that sounds so different.. I am very much keen to see this movie.


Highway (Febuary 21)
directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Alia Bhatt, Randeep Hooda

Plot : 
A road film and a journey with unlikely companions. What you discover about yourself and your society while being out of it.
What To Look For : 
After Rockstar, Its tough for Imtiaz to outdo himself. Going by trailer, this one looks very different from his last 3 films. This one like Jab We met could be more female oriented, while the basic theme of finding yourself is still there. I didn't like Alia in 'Student of the year', but have a feeling this film will work, and also there is A R Rahman-Irshad Kamil pair that was exceptional in Rockstar.


The Monuments Men (Febuary 21)
directed by George Clooney, starring Matt Damon, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman

Plot :
An unlikely World War II platoon are tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners.
What To Look For :
As seen by the plot, this isn't a routine war movie, which is why it made me interested plus Matt-George together on screen would be exciting to watch. Also, Clooney as a director was very good in his last outing, so he may work the magic once more.


12 Years a Slave ( Febuary 21) 
directed by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt

Plot : 
In the antebellum United States, a free black man from upstate New York is abducted and sold into slavery. Story about his fight for survival and freedom.
What To Look For : 
Its hard to watch movies where a character is tortured to hell, and then how it manages to come out of it. The trailer looked pretty hard-hitting, and a 8.6 Imdb rating speaks for a quality movie.  Could well be an emotionally touching movie.


Queen (Febuary 28)
directed by Vikas Bahl, starring Rajkumar Rao, Kangana Ranaut

Plot :
Delhi based girl lands up in Paris all alone for her honeymoon, as she is in for a adventure ride in a country completely alien to her.
What To Look For : 
Kangana's terrific comic timing in its trailer makes this movie to look forward to. Even in Tanu Weds Manu she was good until the point drama came into the narrative. Also, fresh pairing with RajKumar Rao who has been in great form in last two years.


Shaadi Ke Side Effects (Febuary 28)
directed by Saket Chaudhary, starring Farhan Akhtar, Vidya Balan

Plot : 
After going through man ups and downs in their love affair, this couple (different leads this time) finally got married. But, now they are about to face the after effects of marriage, and the common issues that a married couple go through.
What To Look For : 
Saket has made only one film before i.e  'Pyar Ke Side Effects' in 2006.. surprising that it took so long for his next venture. That movie was hilarious, and this one appears to be on same lines. Once again a fresh pair to watch, Farhan-Vidya both are known for doing out of the box movies, so to see them together is going to be a treat to watch.. provided the laughs are plenty.


Happy Ending (March 28)
directed by Krishna DK-Raj Nidimoru, starring Saif Ali Khan, Ileana Dcruz, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Priety Zinta, Kareena Kapoor, Govinda

What To Look For : 
Another mad-com from the director duo, with Go Goa Gone and Shor in the City their last outings. Cameos from Kareena and Preity, with Saif-Ileana pairing, and good supporting cast. The plot unknown so far, but expectations are high from the director, plus the music in his films has been good too. 'Saibo' , 'Karma is a bitch', 'Slowly Slowly' and 'Khoon Choos Le' to name some of them.


Captain America : The Winter Soldier (April 4)
directed by Anthony Russo-Joe Russo, starring Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Sameul L Jackson

Plot : 
Struggle of Captain America to embrace his role in the modern world, and battles new threat from old history, the Soviet Agent known as Winter Soldier.
What To Look For : 
To include this movie surprises me the most, but one of its trailer I saw recently made me interested. Captain America is probably weakest looking super hero, and I haven't seen any of last parts, hopefully I would before release of this one. Plus unlike Thor : Dark world, this one will have Avengers part too. Not having high expectations, but still one of awaited movies.


Transcendence (April 11)
directed by Wally Pfister, starring Johnny Depp, Kate Mara, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman

Plot :
A terminally ill scientist downloads his mind into a computer. This grants him power beyond his wildest dreams, and soon he becomes unstoppable.
What To Look For : 
He has worked with Nolan as cinematographer in all his movies, this being his first as director. The plot looks insane and interesting, whether he turns out a great director or not is to be seen.


2 States (April 18)
directed by Abhishek Varman, starring Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt

Plot : 
He is Punjabi, She is South Indian, and they fall in love. But, the battle is to convince each other's family.
What To Look For : 
We have seen many movies probably with this plot, but Chetan's novel presented it in a very romantic, realistic way, therefore it may well make for a well adapted movie from the novel. Chetan's '3 mistakes of life' (Kai Po Che) and 'five point someone' (3 Idiots) were very well made movies. Question here is will the new director Abhishek do justice to the novel, and Arjun-Alia make Krish-Ananya romance worth rooting for while they fight against each other's family.


City Lights (May 1)
directed by Hansal Mehta, starring RajKumar Rao,Patralekha

Plot : 
Based on the life of a poor farmer who comes to the city of Mumbai in search of a better life.
What To Look For : 
After a successful outing in 'Shahid', the director-actor duo return with a new movie, made under Vishesh Films banner. Its a love story set against backdrop of a thriller, and adapted from the award winning UK movie 'Metro Manila' that released last year. Keen to see RajKumar Rao in this movie where his character probably goes through a transformation.


The Amazing SpiderMan 2 (May 2)
directed by Marc Webb, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Paul Giamatti

Plot : 
A mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillians that Peter Parker has to fight against, and they are much more powerful than he can imagine.
What To Look For : 
The first part worked for me unlike many others, but then I haven't seen the other Spiderman series. Andrew Garfield for me fits the geeky Peter Parker who suddenly realizes what special powers he has, and the responsibility he has with it. 1st part was low on action mainly for developing Peter Parker's character, so I expect 2nd part to be full of thrilling moments and the trailer does promise that. Jamie Foxx as Electro could go either way, may be awesome or a hamming performance. And then there's Emma Stone, whom I got crush on during 1st part, she has a lovely smile.


Daawat e Ishq (May 9)
directed by Habib Faisal, starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Parineeti Chopra, Anupam Kher

What To Look For :
Aditya's look surprised me when I saw it first time. Rumour is that the plot is on dowry issue, while both Aditya and Parineeti belong to small town. Parineeti's choice of movies so far has been on par with Ranbir, very different and top class acting. Habib's last film Ishaqzaade wasn't as good as Do Dooni Chaar was, but he is a talented director, so can expect him to comeback with a good movie. Sajid-Wajid as music composer is disappointing aspect of the movie at present.


Godzilla (May 16)
directed by Gareth Edwards, starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen
Plot :
A giant radioactive monster called Godzilla appears to wreak destruction on mankind.
What To Look For : 
Yet to see 1954 classic, but this one appears to be made really well. There's terror that people have to face, and to fight against this monster is gonna be one hell of a challenge. To show just a glimpse of Godzilla in end of trailer was a super idea.


Peekay (June 6)
directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, starring Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjay Dutt

What To Look For : 
After a successful try at masala genre, Aamir returns to his kind of films. There has been stills of him in ghaghra, reports saying he plays a drunkard man, some say alien and then he will have a nude sequence. How much of all this is true will be known once poster and trailer comes up. Anushka Sharma is a turn-off for me, apart from her the rest cast looks super. Keen to know if Sushant has decent screen time in movie instead of small cameo. Aamir-Raj pairing last time in 3 Idiots broke records, and Hirani has made 3 films till now all of which have been huge successes. So, this film surely going to be one of most awaited ones for all quality movie lovers.


Kick (July 27)
directed by Sajid Nadiadwala, starring Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Randeep Hooda

What To Look For : 
Remake of Telugu movie, this could be the Salman Khan movie I would love to watch provided the story isn't changed too much and Sajid who is trying at direction for 1st time does well. Looks like this won't be a typical dhishum dhishum salman action movie.  Also, Randeep Hooda in a supporting role would be good for the film.  And Salman-Jacqueline will be a new pairing to watch out, though she may be limited to a lesser role.


Kill Dil (September 5)
directed by Shaad Ali, starring Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar, Parineeti Chopra, Govinda

What To Look For : 
Shaad Ali returns after his 2007 debacle Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, which I personally liked a lot.  The film revolves on the tricks that the heart plays on the unsuspecting victim of love. The title reminds of Kill Bill from Tarantino, must be influenced by it. Shaad Ali in a interview said that the settings would be different from his previous movies, and this ain't a total romantic movie. Govinda in a negative shade would be nice experiment if it works. Ranveer has been one of actor that I like a lot, this film may take us back to Band Baaja Baaraat character (going by the looks) which I don't mind as he has done different genres in between. Also, Shankar Ehsan Loy re-unite with Gulzar, hope there's a 'Bol na halke halke' for us.


Gone Girl (October 3)
directed by David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit, Kim Dickens

Plot : 
A woman mysteriously disappears on the day of her wedding anniversary.
What To Look For : 
Its based on the best selling novel 'Gone Girl' which I haven't read, good news for me. I loved David's last two movies, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network, which is the reason for my interest in this movie. Would like to know where the story goes, does anyone kidnap her, or she willingly does it, or there's lot more that we can imagine. The readers of the novel may know the answers though, rest like me can wait for the release.


Interstellar (November 7)
directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon

Plot : 
A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
What To Look For : 
Gravity despite being a great movie (with all oscar nominations) didn't click for me as I am not much into space oriented movies. Interstellar appears to be in the same genre, and the teaser didn't really attract me as usual Nolan films do. But, Nolan is a special director for me, only one whose all films I have seen, and not disliked a single out of them. Though, the film will have to be special this time to make me appreciate it, and I am counting on Nolan to do it. The cast looks massive, with Matt Damon in a small role. Even Irrfan Khan was to be part of movie, but he rejected it. Not to forget, there's the ever reliable Hans Zimmer in background score department.


Detective Byomkesh Bakshi (December 12)
directed by Dibakar Banerjee, starring Sushant Singh Rajput

What To Look For : 
You gotta be kidding me if this film ain't on your much awaited year list. Dibakar Banerjee has been simply outstanding in all the films he has given till now, even his short story in Bombay Talkies. Dibakar's first movie for yash raj banner, so this may not be a low budget movie like has been case previously. Sushant Singh Rajput has shown he has got great screen presence in both his films so far. This one will be a good test for him, being a different genre film. The shooting locales going to be old lanes of Kolkata, to establish the 1942's city during the movie. While the story is based on popular serial, written by Sharadindu Bandopadhyay. Easily the detective movie I am most looking for out of many others releasing this year.


Bombay Velvet (December 25)
directed by Anurag Kashyap, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Karan Johar

What To Look For : 
Another director whose movies I keenly wait for, specially after his Gangs of Wasseypur magic. Ranbir has tried so many different roles till now, and Bombay Velvet could well be another of them as he plays a boxer in the movie (not sure a part of movie or entirely).  I can only hope that Anushka isn't having another bubbly loud character. While Karan Johar in a negative shade would be something to watch for. The movie is set in 1950-60's, shooting going in Sri Lanka, and its told that it will be a 3 film trilogy that will tell how Mumbai became a metropolis against the backdrop of love, greed, violence and jazz music. While in a interview Ranbir stated that his character has a bit of Scarface, Goodfellas in it. Could well be the best way to end the year if the film lives upto all the expectations.


Bobby Jasoos 
directed by Samar Sheikh, starring Vidya Balan, Ali Fazal, Arjan Bajwa

What To Look For : 
Samar who previously been involved in art department of biggies like Dhoom, Chak De India, Bunty and Babli, gets to work with Vidya Balan in his very first movie as director. Vidya is probably female aamir khan when it comes to perfection, as seen in the still itself.. After not so impressive year with a below par film like Ghanchakkar, this will be important film for her. And to see her in detective character will be fun.


Mary Kom 
directed by Omung Kumar, starring Priyanka Chopra

What To Look For : 
After having seen biopic made on Milkha Singh last year, its time for biopic on Indian well known boxing star Mary Kom. The question is will the first time director be successful like Rakesh OmPrakash Mehra. Omung Kumar has also been a art director of films like Saawariya and Black, which tells a lot about his creativity talent. Priyanka Chopra over last 2-3 years has done more of nonsense movies that doesn't justify her talent, but this one if well made will prove to be another gem in her filmography.


Phantom 
directed by Kabir Khan, starring Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif

What To Look For : 
Might well be another terrorism based movie after New York and Ek Tha Tiger (which was more on RAW agents). I prefer to see Saif in intense roles more than comedy or romantic, and here it could well be one of them. Hopefully, the backdrop of movie won't be romantic like it was in Ek Tha Tiger. Katrina-Saif should make a good pair, and we may get to see Katrina doing some action scenes once again.


Ugly 
directed by Anurag Kashyap, starring Ronit Roy, Rahul Bhatt, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Vineet Kumar Singh

Plot :
Rahul, who plays actor in movie, leaves his daughter in car while going to meet his friend, and when he comes back, he founds her missing. What follows is an endless series of blame game.
What To Look For : 
A psychological emotional drama, with some insane sequences visible in the trailer itself. This movie was supposed to release last year, hoping it doesn't get delay much more specially with Anurag's Bombay Velvet coming at end of year. Good to see Tejaswini after long time, and also Ronit Roy in a powerful role after Udaan.


Haider 
directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, starring Shahid Kapur, Shraddha Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Tabu

What To Look For :
Aren't we fed up of watching Shahid in movies he shouldn't be part of, finally he is doing a good film and it is with none other than Vishal Bharadwaj with whom he did the insane Kaminey. Haider is termed as last part of the Shakespeare trilogy, Hamlet. To be shot entirely in Kashmir, the film may release by end of year possibly. Also, a great chance for Shraddha Kapoor to work with a well known director. Irrfan will be seen in a small but a key role. And there's Tabu too who might be playing supporting role. Almost a certainty that music will be by Vishal himself, lyrics by Gulzar and at least one song sung by Rekha Bharadwaj, not that I am complaining as the trio have given some gems in past.


Serena (September - October)
directed by Susanne Bier, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper

Plot : 
In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when it is learned that his wife, Serena, cannot bear children.
What To Look For : 
The film is about a young woman through a mental decline, which is played by Jennifer Lawrence. If she gives a great performance, then could well be third time in row to get nominated at Oscars, and maybe win too (provided she wins for American Hustle in supporting actress category).


The Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part1 (November - December)
directed by Francis Lawrence, starring Jenniffer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore

Plot : 
Katniss reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.
What To Look For : 
The 2nd part was low on thrills and only Jennifer Lawrence was worth watching it for. Expecting that the movie will be great too in this 3rd part of quadrilogy.