Hindi Films Industry badly needs quality movies, as first half has been way ordinary as compared to last few years...

Here's my list of Most Awaited Movies in rest half of the year.


P.S : The release dates are subjective to change... 


Mom (July 7)
directed by Ravi Udyawar, starring Sridevi, Akshay Khanna,  Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Abhimanyu Singh, Pitobash


Plot : 
Journey of a mother as she fights between two wrongs, all to protect her daughter and rest of her family.
What To Look For : 
Sridevi's one dialogue in new trailer 'kya chilla rahe the tum log, bula apni maa ko, aa gayi uski maa' is enough to be excited for this movie. With supporting cast of Nawazuddin Siddique and Akshay Khanna getting fair share of scenes in trailers, I am keen to see how Abhimanyu, Pitobash and some other actors fit in. Only worry at this point is, the story is predictable (unless I am thinking it total wrong) and scope of melodrama is there which I wish debutant director Ravi won't go towards. A complete good film, and not just excellent performances (which most likely will be loved) is what I am looking for.
My Fav Trailer : Mom


Jagga Jasoos (July 14)
directed by Anurag Basu, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Govinda, Saurabh Shukla


Plot :
A teenager detective with his assistant girlfriend, searches for his missing father going through various adventures.
What To Look For :
First musical (correct me if I am wrong) movie in our industry where the characters will converse through songs and minimal dialogues. Govinda role (guess its a cameo) hasn't been revealed in trailers, while Pritam's songs released so far have been very good and if there's 20-25 songs in film as rumoured then even better. Also keen to see Saurabh Shukla, who is always hilarious in his performances. Its a very risky genre but if Basu is at his best again, then Jagga Jasoos can be movie of the year.
My Fav Trailer : Jagga Jasoos


Jab Harry Met Sejal (August 4)
directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sayani Gupta, Chandan Roy Sanyal



Plot : 
Harry and Sejal on a journey across Europe where search for Sejal's lost engagement ring begins that makes Harry understand love and relationships better. Whereas Sejal experiences new found freedom, security and solace in Harry's company.
What To Look For : 
I was close to omitting this film from the list but then its hard to totally shut off Imtiaz movie who hasn't given a single average movie till date. Except for 2 teasers possibly and some parts of Safar song promo, this looks more of a Shahrukh movie rather than Imtiaz movie and that has totally cancelled all my craze. Imtiaz movies always has had excellent music too and all 4 songs released till now aren't worth listening twice even, one of weakest Pritam album. That leaves to only 2 hopes, one is Sayani and Chandan have decent amount of screen-time in movie, and other is ofcourse Imtiaz, maybe it just turns out to be a case of poor promos but great film. And please, keep Shahrukh's sardar look role as short as possible. I would anyday prefer Imtiaz doing films like 'Highway', 'Rockstar' and 'Tamasha'. But Imtiaz wanted a lighthearted entertaining movie with happy ending, wish it turns out to be as good as 'Jab We Met' or 'Love Aaj Kal' were. Fingers crossed but I am highly doubting Imtiaz to deliver this time.
My Fav Trailer : Jab Harry Met Sejal


Bareilly Ki Barfi (August 18)
directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, starring Rajkumar Rao, Ayushmann Khurana, Kriti Sanon, Seema Pahwa.


Plot :
A rom-com (maybe a love triangle - not confirmed) that is set in Uttar Pradesh.
What To Look For : 
Ayushmann performances in his last two movies 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' and 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' have been very good. While Kriti I find appealing even though she hasn't done anything to talk of highly. Then there's ever reliable Rajkumar Rao, while Ashwiny Iyer last directed film 'Nil Battey Sannata' was pretty good too. Looking forward to a lovely lighthearted movie, and if I get more will be very happy.


Daddy (September 8)
directed by Ashim Ahluwalia, starring Arjun Rampal, Aishwarya Rajesh, Nishikant Kamat, Farhan Akhtar.


Plot :
About Arun Gawli, who came from the rough streets and back alleys of Central Mumbai and then went on to script his own destiny by becoming one of India's most feared mobsters. Some consider him power hungry gangster and some see him as 'Daddy' or a modern day Robin Hood for the working class neighbourhood he belongs to.
What To Look For :
Ahluwalia's 1st movie 'Miss Lovely' was praised a lot by critics, personally the movie didn't work for me due to the backdrop it was on but it was still a very well made film. With Daddy trailer, it seems he might have got it right again with all the 70s/80's setting and this time probably with a better budget. If he has executed it well, it can be a gangster movie Raees failed to be. Great to see Arjun Rampal in such a role, and looking forward to Farhan's cameo as Dawood.
My Fav Trailer : Daddy


Simran (September 15)
directed by Hansal Mehta, starring Kangana Ranaut


Plot : 
A Gujarati housekeeping lady in the US allows ambition to get the better of her and gets involved in a world of crime.
What To Look For : 
The teaser was fun filled, not sure if that's how the entire film would be. Because if that's the case then that would remind me of Leonardo's 'Catch me if you can' where protoganist was doing wrong activities and yet we rooted for him to escape everytime. Have liked Kangana's previous 2 performances but can't say the same about the films. In that way, its a important film for her and also her first since the highly talked Nepotism (where I am on her side) story, or the dispute over writing credits for this film itself. Hope her acting and films will do the talking here, rather than controversies. Aligarh had Hansal back in top form which I felt missing in 'Citylights', the plot with Kangana in lead makes me think he has a winner in hands here. Hope I am proven right! And also looking forward to Amaal Malik's music.
My Fav Trailer : Simran


Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (November 3)
directed by Luv Ranjan, starring Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha, Sunny Singh Nijjar


Plot :
Rom-com and love triangle, based in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
What To Look For :
Lots of fun moments. Kartik-Nushrat pair will be in 4th movie in a row with Luv Ranjan as director, and I have liked all his films till now. While Sunny who seemed weak link in trailers for 'Pyar ka Punchnama2' turned out to be the pleasant surprise performer of that movie, keen to see how he backs it up in this movie. I do hope though there's no monologue again for Kartik, won't mind a spoof where they make fun of it instead in the movie or maybe keep that for 3rd part of PKP.  No trailer has been out yet, but its title (which does still sound wierd) annoucement was pretty hilarious. Can check it, here.


102 Not Out (December 1)
directed by Umesh Shukla, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor


Plot : 
About a man who wants to break the record of the longest living man in the world which is held by a guy from China who is 118 years old.
What To Look For : 
Umesh Shukla is adapting it from a successful Gujarati play, much like was case in 'Oh My God', which is a good news. Because his next movie 'All Is Well' was forgettable one. Watching Amitabh Bachchan play 102 yr old person with Rishi Kapoor as his son who is 75 yrs old, itself makes this film look so unique. I think we are in for a treat from both veteran actors here!


Omerta 
directed by Hansal Mehta, starring Rajkumar Rao


Plot : 
About british born terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh known for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002, and also covers a host of terrorist activities including 26/11 through the eyes of Omar.
What To Look For :
Has to be 1st outright negative role Rajkumar is doing, even 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha' and 'Ragini MMS' had only shades of it. And it makes me really excited, how brilliant it would be if he pulls it off doing a role completely opposite of 'Shahid'. The story will not only show the mindset of terrorists but also how educated people get radicalised. And based on real events, so chances of another hard-hitting movie from Hansal Mehta is on. Its a political thriller, release date not out yet.. maybe in Nov-Dec or next yr.


Tiger Zinda Hai (December 22)
directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Angad Bedi


Plot : 
Sequel to 'Ek Tha Tiger' and based on a real incident.
What To Look For : 
Since its a sequel, there's no need to develop both Salman and Katrina characters, chances of more action sequences increase. Unless the real incident they are making film on, turns to be some message spreading type which I hope isn't the case. Kabir Khan in earlier film gave hope of a Jason Bourne kind action, which was there in 2 action set pieces. And Ali Abbas Zafar has already proved with 'Sultan' that he also very much like Kabir can handle Salman's stardom and make it work to the film's advantage quality wise. If he repeats that here, then I think we will have best possible end to the year at films. Also, keen to know what part Angad Bedi plays here.


Other Films I will keep an eye on : 


Lipstick Under My Burkha (even though it doesn't look like my kind of movie, the controversy attached to it and the bold trailer plus Konkona-Ratna Pathak in starcast keeps me interested. And like that 'le li le li jaan' song)
Indu Sarkar (Kriti Kulhari is the only reason I wanna watch this one, Madhur Bhandarkar hasn't done a single good movie since Fashion so can't expect much from him)
Gurgaon (always happy when I see Pankaj Tripathi get a bigger role which I assume is the case here, and the trailer looked pretty good too)
Love Sonia (a hollywood production starring Sunny pawar, Mrunal Thakur, Rajkumar Rao, Richa Chadda, Freida Pinto, Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher, Adil Hussain, and based on young girl's journey through the world of international sex trafficking, inspired by real life events, could this be another Lion?)
Newton (starring RajkumarRao, Pankaj Tripathi and Anjali Patil, a good dark political comedy is possible)
A Gentleman (didn't like the trailer and also director duo Raj-DK last movie 'Happy Ending' didn't work for me... but the previous two films to that were really good, if they can showcase some of that here then maybe some hope is there)
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (trailer revealed too much for me, and found it good in parts so dont have any expectations other than Nawazuddin making it a decent watch)
Baadshaho (May this be Milan Luthria's comeback movie, didn't like 'The Dirty Picture' and 'OUATIMD' was all Akki show, nothing else...Starcast of Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana DCruz, Sanjay Mishra, Vidyut Jammwal and Esha Gupta, with Rajat Arora punchlines already looking good in teaser)
Kaalakaandi (starring Saif Ali Khan, Vijay Raaz, Deepak Dobriyal, Kunaal Roy Kapur.. from writer of 'Delhi Belly', a dark thrilling comedy, about 6 lost souls in Mumbai... want it to be good just for Saif alone)
Secret Superstar (starring Zaira Wasim, and Aamir Khan in a cameo.. story about a muslim girl who wants to be a singer but her father doesn't approve it. Zaira did really well in Dangal, but this will be a longer role, would love to see how she does it.. love the Aamir line in teaser, hope he has more such liners in movie)
Lucknow Central (Set against backdrop of jail, Farhan Akhtar plays a prisoner who forms a band with other jail inmates, also starring Diana Penty, Deepak Dobriyal, Inaamul Haq, Rajesh Sharma and Ronit Roy.. plot doesn't excite me specially Farhan in a music band again but strong supporting starcast may make it work)
Judwaa 2 (for father-son David Dhawan-Varun Dhawan duo, who gave decent laughs in their 1st outing 'Main Tera Hero', its a sequel to old Judwaa, double role of Varun with Taapsee Pannu and Jacqueline Fernandez, possibility of a laughter ride is on if its the 90's David Dhawan we get as director)
Golmaal Again (Not a fan of Rohit Shetty or Golmaal series, but have a feeling this one will be good minus the unwanted car crashing, with Ajay, Parineeti, Arshad, Tabu and most of cast retained from last movie)
Chef (Airlift director Raja Krishna Menon's next movie, and remake of Hollywood film, that was so lovable mainly for father-son interactions, Saif-Svar will have to be on same lines, I hope it turns out close to the original if not better, and ofcourse a foodie movie to remember)
Ittefaq (expecting Sonakshi and Akshay Khanna to impress, but how good movie will be is solely on Siddharth Malhotra's shoulder, if he can pull it off then it can be a very good remake with a different climax, else another forgettable remake)
Padmavati (usually Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie is among most anticipated films for me, but I am now tired of him doing history based movies and repeating Ranveer-Deepika pairing.. more interested to see Shahid rather here and the music, hope his next movie is the Sahir Ludhianvi one)
Baazaar (just to see how Saif and Chitrangda pairing works, stock market bores me to death so not sure if I would find the movie appealing)
Tumhari Sulu (Manav Kaul has been impressive in supporting roles, now he is in a lead role opposite Vidya Balan, and its a light hearted comedy with Vidya playing housewife who turns a rj doing late night show, hopefully turns out to be entertaining)
Parmanu - The Story of Pokhran (based on the nuclear test conducted at Pokhran in 1998, starring John Abhraham and Diana Penty, directed by Abhishek Sharma who has done only comedies previously, would be a challenge if he can get this action thriller right)


Hope most of these films mentioned here, and others I missed out on.. turn out to be very good. Banking on the 2nd half of this year to give us super awesome movies that we haven't really got till now.