Top 10 Most Awaited Sequels in Bollywood

Farhan Akhtar says he wishes to start working on the third part of Don soon. The 43-year-old actor-director, who engaged with the fans in a Facebook live on Monday to promote an environmental initiative with National Geographic, hopes to bring the second sequel to the Shah Rukh Khan-Priyanka Chopra starrer when time permits him. On being asked when can the viewers expect Don 3, Farhan says, “I was waiting for that question... Soon, I hope.”

Fans of Don reboot franchise and SRK-Priyanka jodi are excited with the news and rightly so. With the 2006 reboot of Amitabh Bachchan's Don, SRK brought to life a suave anti-hero that audiences instantly fell in love with. The 2011 sequel received positive-to-mixed critical reception but was praised for its action, direction and cinematograph, not to forget SRK's performance.

But Don 3 isn't the only Sequel that Bollywood Fans have been eagerly waiting to watch. Here's a list of Top 10 Most Awaited Sequels in Bollywood:

1) Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

Status: Releasing on 28 April 2017

The biggest question probably ever raised by an Indian movie among billions of audience members around the world, “Why Did Katappa kill Baahubali?”, will finally be answered and just for this, the movie has been keenly anticipated ever since the release of the first movie two years ago. 'Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion' promises to be a visual masterpiece, and going by the trailer, it has lived up to everyone's expectations. While the first movie won praise and appreciation for its stunning visual backdrop, the makers have now pushed the envelope for this installment, touted to be the most expensive Indian movie ever.

Director SS Rajamouli Staying has stayed true to the story and mystery surrounding 'Baahubali: The Beginning', and packed the the second and final installment that aims at picking up the pieces and mending together the tale of two brothers torn apart by power and jealousy. Expectations are sky-rocketing and the filmmakers are re-releasing the first part on 7th April to give its audience one last chance to relive the National Award winning Epic Blockbuster.

This is not just a movie, it is the biggest movie event ever.

2) Tiger Zinda Hai

Status: 2nd Shoot Schedule underway, Release Date announced as 22 December 2017

Fans are already going crazy seeing the above on-set pic of ex-lovers Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as they reunite for the Big Screen after five long years with Tiger Zinda Hai. A sequel to 2012's Blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, Ali Abbas Zafar takes the directorial reigns for the movie from Kabir Khan this time.

The first schedule of the film was recently wrapped up in the gorgeous locales of Austria and the second shoot schedule is underway in Mumbai. With Katrina Kaif now single, after her official break-up with Ranbir Kapoor, the ex-lovers, read Salman-Katrina, coming back together for their always hugely admired on and off screen chemistry, is a sure-shot recipe for Blockbuster Entertainment.

3) Dabangg 3

Status: Announced, Expected on Eid 2018

After the mammoth success of Dabangg 2 in 2012, Dabangg 3 was immediately announced. Since then there had been many stories about the movie, from the third part being a prequel to Arbaaz Khan not putting the directorial hat due to his other roles of a producer and actor. After much speculation, it was confirmed in August 2016, that Sonakshi Sinha will be part of Dabangg 3 and another actress might join her. Later in that month it is reported Kajol was offered the role of an antagonist, but she refused to play it, as she told the media that "her role is not that strong like Salman".

Dabangg series gave audiences the character of Chulbul Pandey and it has ever since become one of Salman Khan's most loved roles among his fans, a complete opposite of the good-son, do-gooder role of Prem in Sooraj Barjatya's movies. So it is only a matter of time, till Salman Khan finishes the shoot of Tiger Zinda Hai, that audiences will know when they can do more of Hud Hud Dabangg!

4) Student of the Year 2

Status: Pre-Production underway; Expected in 2018

Karan Johar launched Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra with his 2012 directorial Student of the Year, a first for him without Shahrukh Khan, and five years later the movie is still as much talked about as it was upon its casting. Reportedly, Karan went to thousands of auditions only to finally settle to launch Mahesh Bhatt's daughter along with his 2 second ADs from his previous My Name is Khan, read David Dhawan's son Varun Dhawan and outsider Siddharth Malhotra. The never ending current Nepotism debate in Bollywood, courtesy allegations by a feisty Kangana Ranaut, finds its root in Student of the Year.

Student of the Year 2's announcement was made with Karan Johar handing over the directorial hat to Dharma Production's in-house director Punit Malhotra (I Hate Love Stories, Gori Tere Pyar Mein) and Tiger Shroff announced as the lead hero. Unlike the first part, the sequel is said to have one lead hero (Tiger) alongside two lead heroines. Stories of Tiger's rumoured girlfriend Disha Patani and Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara Ali Khan making her Bollywood debut with this movie have been doing the rounds in the media for quite sometime. But any official confirmation is yet to come.

Karan recently wrote in his column (for a news channel's website) on Nepotism, "And, you know, currently we're auditioning for Student of the Year 2 and we're not finding anyone! I swear the only girls who are not bad are those with a connection."

5) Krrish 4

Status: Announced; Christmas 2018 release

From Koi Mil Gaya (2003) to Krrish (2006) to Krrish 3 (2013) and now Krrish 4 (2018), the Krrish series is the second highest grossing film series in Bollywood. It gave Bollywood it's first legitimate desi superhero and family audiences grabbed the tickets in abundant to show their love for their children's idol. In 2013, an animated television series based on this Krrish film series, and named Kid Krrish, aired on Cartoon Network India. It also spawned a spin-off animation-cum-live-action series titled J Bole Toh Jadoo that aired on Nickelodeon (India). Krrish 3 was the first Indian film to launch its own official Facebook Emoticons as part of promotion.

In September 2016, Rakesh Roshan announced the fourth installment of the franchise with Hrithik Roshan reprising his role of both father (Rohit Mehra) and son (Krishna 'Krrish' Mehra) and maybe even a grown up third generation Rohit Krishna Mehra, the grandson of Rohit and Sonia Mehra (Preity Zinta) and son of Krishna and Priya Mehra (Priyanka Chopra). Rakesh Roshan said, “When my wife showed me a tweet with Bappa’s (lord Ganesha) picture as Krrish, it reaffirmed my belief that Krrish is the original superhero we have. It boosted my confidence and inspired me to make the fourth installment.” The movie is slated to go on floors in 2017 and will be released during Christmas 2018. Hrithik also tweeted about the film, sharing a photograph of lord Ganesha dressed as Krrish.

6) Aashiqui 3

Status: Rumoured to star Alia Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra

After the super success of Aashiqui 2 (2013) with then alleged couple Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, there were rumours of a third installment in the musical drama series. While no official confirmation has been made about the movie or it's star cast, when Alia Bhatt reportedly hinted in an interview about her wish to do a movie in the same genre, stories have been rolling out ever since about Aashiqui 3. For one, the producer is her own father Mahesh Bhatt and the scriptwriter her sister Shaheen Bhatt.

The latest and strongest reports doing the round are that after creating sensation with their cute chemistry in Kapoor & Sons, rumoured couple Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Kapoor will be teaming once again in Aashiqui 3.

7) Munnabhai 3

Status: Announced; Shooting in early 2018

Munna Bhai MBBS was released in 2003 followed by its sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai in 2006. The films not just gave audiences its most lovable goon character but also gave the biggest relaunch to Sanjay Dutt, a classic role etched in Bollywood history. Now, 11 years after the sequel, Dutt is all set to reprise his affable 'Munna bhai' in the Rajkumar Hirani directed comedy-drama.

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra announced on 29 September 2016 that production on the third Munna Bhai film starring Dutt in the title role will begin in 2017. Arshad 'Circuit' Warsi in a recent interview revealed that the shooting for the film will begin in 2018, heaping praises on the script of the movie, calling it 'relevant and funny'.

Post "Lage Raho..." Hirani had started working on Munnabhai Chale America, but it hit a roadblock as the team was apparently not too happy with the script. Interestingly, short trailers were also released to announce the third part and they are still available on YouTube. Nevertheless, Bollywood audiences trust Rajkumar Hirani and we are ready to wait some more, to have more movies like the Munnabhai series, 3 Idiots and PK.

8) ABCD 3

Status:  Rumoured

The first part, ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2013), featured Prabhudeva, Ganesh Acharya, Kay Kay Menon, Lauren Gottlieb, Punit Pathak, Dharmesh Yelande and Salman Yusuff Khan. ABCD 2 (2015) had a starry factor as it featured Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor among many others. While the first was a sleeper hit, the second a bonafide blockbuster.

Ever since then, speculations are being made for a third part in the desi Step-Up franchise. Tiger Shroff's name did the most rounds for being cast into the Remo D'Souza, especially after the two collaborated in last year's A Flying Jatt. But ever since the dismal performance of the Tiger Shroff-Jacqueline Fernandez starrer, reports have subdued.

There were also rumours about Remo wishing to cast either Dabangg Khan Salman Khan or Greek God Hrithik Roshan in the third installment but no official confirmation.

Nevertheless, Bollywood fans would definitely love another dance based movie and we can not wait for ABCD 3 at that.

9) Shashank Khaitan's next in series after "Humpty Sharma..." and "Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya"

Status: Being Planned

Bollywood audiences loved Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt in 2014's rom-com Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and made it a super hit. The much loved on-screen couple made a comeback this year with the second movie in the Dulhania franchise with Badrinath Ki Dulhania and the film has already grossed Rs 200 crores at the Box Office. Do we need any more reason for another tale in the series?

Director Shashank Khaitan and Producer Karan Johar have already shared their wish for another movie in the series and with a prolific team like this, Bollywood audiences are definitely ready to wait.

10) Dhoom 4

Status: Rumours, Rumours and more Rumours

Bollywood's very own buddy-cop-action film series first arrived on the scene in 2004 with Dhoom and Abhishek Bachchan's ACP Jai Dixit and the lovable sidekick, Uday Chopra's Ali Akbar instantly became household names. But Dhoom was not just about them only, it was about making the audiences root for the villain - John Abraham being the one in the inaugural film in the series, and Bollywood's top actresses in their sexiest avatars, Esha Deol in a never-seen and unexpected jaw-dropping appearance.

With Dhoom 2 in 2006, Bollywood got lucky with the never seen before and since then arguably the sexiest ever jodi of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai as the villains and Bipasha Basu in her seductive bikini appearance. While the first was a smash-hit, the second became the highest grossing Bollywood film of all time during the time of its release.

Dhoom 3 (2013) went miles ahead of its previous installments with a double role of Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan as the Villain and Katrina Kaif as his leading lady. It is still the fourth highest grossing film in the history of Indian Cinema and Dhoom is now highest-grossing film series in Bollywood.

Ever since the last movie, there have been rumours of unprecedented proportion about the casting of Dhoom 4. To begin with, who can top Aamir Khan? So enter speculations of Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan and even Amitabh Bachchan to don the Villain act. Further stories include YRF scion Aditya Chopra himself helming the directorial seat and casting his current favorites Ranveer Singh and Vani Kapoor, but again no official word from the production house or the actors.

The Audience is definitely waiting and waiting and waiting with baited breath.

Top 5 Bollywood Films on Sex Workers

Begum Jaan, Srijit Mukherji’s re-creation of his Bengali film Rajkahini, is going to hit theatres across the country on April 14. Vidya Balan plays the madam of a brothel that finds itself divided, as a newly-chalked LOC is drawn between India and Pakistan circa 1947. The trailer featuring the rebellion of a group of female sex-workers against government officials, has attracted much curiosity.

Balan and her gang of girls have mentioned that Begum Jaan, apart from its setting in 1947 newly Independent India, essentially depicts the dilemma and struggle of sex workers. This is not the first time that Bollywood is presenting the story of sex workers but there are few which have left an indelible mark on Indian Cinema.

Here's a list of Top 5 Bollywood films showcasing the lives and challenges faced by Sex Workers:

1) Pakeezah (1972)

Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah is a cult classic film unlike any other in the past, present and maybe in future. Starring the tragedy queen of Indian Cinema, Meena Kumari in the titular role, the film co-starred other legendary actors like Raaj Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Nadira. The music by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad Ali and Lata Mangeshkar's singing still gives goosebumps to its listeners.

Pakeezah tells the story set in Muslim Lucknow at the turn of the century, its central character is a Lucknowi nautch-girl, for her to fall in love was forbidden, it was a sin she was told, a nautch-girl is born to delight others such is her destiny and yet her restless soul could not suppress her surging desire - "To Love and Be Loved". It was ostensibly, or loosely based on Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari's own love story.

Pakeezah took 16 years to reach the silver screen. Pakeezah released on 3 February 1972, with a grand premiere at Maratha Mandir theatre in central Mumbai and Meena Kumari attended the last premiere of her life along with Kamal Amrohi.

Already battling liver cirrhosis, Meena Kumari was ill throughout the completion of the film and died only a few weeks after it was finally released. It was Meena Kumari’s last great performance and one that solidified her reputation as a legendary actress.

2) Umrao Jaan (1981)

Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan starred Rekha in the title role and tells the story of a Lucknow courtesan and her rise to fame. The film was Based on the 1905 Urdu Umrao Jaan Ada.

The film, with a stellar cast including Far0oq Sheikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi and Dina Pathak, became an instant cult classic with its story, the award winning performances, Khayyam's music, Shahryar's lyrics and Asha Bhosle's top-notch playback singing. JP Dutta tried to recreate the magic with Aishwarya Rai with his own take on the story in 2006 but failed miserably; chiefly because Ali's Umrao Jaan is legendary.

3) Bazaar (1982)

Sagar Sarhadi's Bazaar starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Smita Patil and Supriya Pathak was set in Hyderabad and highlighted the issue of bride buying in India, through the tragedy of a young girl being sold by needy parents to affluent expartraite Indians in the Gulf. Unlike other films on sex-workers, this film dared to speak about a topic that was very much known yet not even acknowledged inside the four walls of a then household.

The film has sterling performances from almost all the cast and is akin to some other movies in the 1980s which highlighted oppression by the rich and powerful. Bazaar ('marketplace') is a realistic portrayal and highlights a system which is difficult to change.

Songs like Karoge Yaad To Har Baat Yaad Aayegi have become metaphors for Indian society.

4) Mandi (1983)

Shyam Benegal's Mandi is a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution, and stars Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil. Based on a classic Urdu short story Aanandi by writer Ghulam Abbas, the film narrates the story of a brothel, situated in the heart of a city, an area that some politicians want for its prime locality.

From 1982's Arth to 1983's Mandi, Indian Cinema got extreme fortunate to have two of its greatest actresses cast for the same movie. It was not just their talent that is legendary, but their extreme rivalry as both used to be first for any and every author backed role being written. With Benegal's Mandi, the two performers, along with Naseeruddin Shah and a stellar supporting cast, cast classic cinema in every frame of the movie.

5) Chandni Bar (2001)

Madhur Bhandarkar's first rise to fame, Chandni Bar, depicts the gritty life of the Mumbai underworld, including prostitution, dance bars and gun crime. The film starred Tabu and Atul Kulkarni in lead roles, alongside Ananya Khare, Rajpal Yadav, Minakshi Sahani and Vishal Thakkar. 

Tabu essayed the role of Mumtaz, who is forced to move to Mumbai after her family was killed in communal riots in UP's Sitapur but is forced to take prostitution as her big city career for the sake of her remaining family. 

The film was a critically acclaimed hit and won multiple National Film Awards.

Most Anticipated Bollywood Movies of 2nd Quarter of 2017

The First Quarter of 2017 brought an interesting mix of hindi films for cinema lovers around the world. While some keenly awaited films fell flat in either content or their box office pull, others were celebrated by audiences, no matter their size of their canvas.

However, as probably the most famous line in show business goes, “The Show Must Go On”. So without dissecting what went right and what went wrong in the first quarter of 2017, here’s a look at the Most Anticipated Bollywood Movies of 2^nd Quarter of 2017.

APRIL

14 April – Begum Jaan

Vidya Balan, thy name speaks powerful performance! Yes, her previous few films may have left the audiences underwhelmed but never has the actress left the audiences unsatisfied with her spellbinding performances. And with Begum Jaan, Vidya Balan not only leads a female centric film with huge brigade of female performers but Balan also hopes to redeem her winning box-office status back to the top-brigade.

Begun Jaan depicts the dilemma and struggle of sex workers after India-Pakistan Partition led to a conflict in the own brothel’s survival. The film seems to be set on a similar premise of Mandi and Mirch Masala – two of Indian cinema’s best feminist movies. The trailer and dialogues of the film, a remake of its own National Award winning director Srijit Mukherji’s Bengali film Rajkahini starring Rituparna Sengupta, are being widely appreciated.

21 April – Maatr

Raveena Tondon’s comeback film, Maatr is a tale of revenge vs justice. Written by Michael Pellico and directed by Ashtar Sayed, this revenge thriller tells the tale of a mother who is out to get justice for her daughter.

Maatr is based on the failure of India’s judicial system in cases like rape. It shows the corrupted bureaucracy and highlights the fight of a mother against all odds as she seeks the revenge for her daughter’s death following rape. Raveena plays the role of a mother, a woman who wants to stand up to the criminals who destroyed her daughter’s life.

Raveena Tandon, who has been part of some of B-Town’s most loved movies, both comedy and dramas, is back in a powerful role that’s full of grit and angst. The trailer received major appreciation on social media by film industry and fans alike upon its release. 

21 April - Noor

Another Female Centric film, Bollywood audiences seems to be up for some heavy duty power packed performances and none seems to be complaining. Adding to the list of Most Anticipated Bollywood movies of the 2^ndquarter of 2017 is Sonakshi Sinha’s crime thriller Noor in which the actress will be seen in the title role, essaying a journalist.

Based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz’s novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me!, Sonakshi plays a millennial journalist whose clumsy life takes a 360 degree turn after she finally takes her life and job seriously. It’s an author backed role and Sonakshi has proved with her last, Akira, that she is going for the kill when it comes to strong roles in theme based films. The trailer has left the audience anxious for more.

28 April – Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

The biggest question probably ever raised by an Indian movie among billions of audience members around the world, “Why Did Katappa kill Baahubali?”, will finally be answered and just for this, the movie has been keenly anticipated ever since the release of the first movie two years ago. 'Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion' promises to be a visual masterpiece, and going by the trailer, it has lived up to everyone's expectations. While the first movie won praise and appreciation for its stunning visual backdrop, the makers have now pushed the envelope for this installment, touted to be the most expensive Indian movie ever.

Director SS Rajamouli Staying has stayed true to the story and mystery surrounding 'Baahubali: The Beginning', and packed the the second and final installment that aims at picking up the pieces and mending together the tale of two brothers torn apart by power and jealousy. Expectations are sky-rocketing and the filmmakers are re-releasing the first part on 7^thApril to give its audience one last chance to relive the National Award winning Epic Blockbuster.

This is not just a movie, it is the biggest movie event ever.

MAY


12 May - Meri Pyaari Bindu

Directed by Akshay Roy and produced by Fan and Band Baaja Baaraat director Maneesh Sharma and YRF head Aditya Chopra, Meri Pyaari Bindu sees the very talented Parineeti Chopra return to acting scene after three long years alongside the unlike star of YRF's 2015 Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

While Bollywood romances teaches us how to fall in love and what to do when in love, this upcoming Yash Raj film teach us how to fall out of love or forget our love. In Meri Pyaari Bindu, Ayushmann Khurrana plays a Kolkata-based pulp writer Abhimanyu Roy whose romantic interest is Bindu (Parineeti Chopra), an aspiring singer. Bindu and Abhimanyu get separated in the story and Abhimanyu immerses himself in writing to forget his lost love.


In a first for movie promotions, the filmmakers first released the song "Maana Ki Hum Yaar Nahin", which also mark the singing debut of Parineeti Chopra, a trained classical singer. The soulful track, that talks about the bittersweet journey of love, and the later released movie trailer seems to have both successfully won the hearts of the audiences.

12 May - Sarkar 3

The third installment of the Sarkar series, directed by maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, sees the return of megastar Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre along with a set of powerful performers such as Ronit Roy, Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee, Amit Sadh and Yami Gautam.

The political crime thriller is creating major buzz with its heavy duty dialogue driven dark trailer which shows an aged Big B’s character but without losing any of his magnetism or latent power. It will be interesting to see the the real life political undertones in RGV's own version of Godfather series and will it finally give the ace director a film to not be mocked about, if not showered with major praises.

Initially supposed to release on 7 April, Sarkar 3was postponed to 12 May due to some delay ion post production work.

19 May - Half Girlfriend

Once upon a time, there was a Bihari boy called Madhav. He fell in love with a girl from Delhi called Riya. Madhav didn't speak English well. Riya did. Madhav wanted a relationship. Riya didn't. Riya just wanted friendship. Madhav didn't. Riya suggested a compromise. She agreed to be his half girlfriend.


Taglined "Dost se zyada, Girlfriend se kam", Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor starrer Half Girlfriend is from the writer of 2 STATES, director of AASHIQUI 2 & producer of EK VILLAIN.

Touted to be a romantic comedy with great music, the film is scheduled to release on 19th May even and the trailer, touted to be out on 10 April, itself is keenly anticipated.

26 May - Sachin: A Billion Dreams

If Cricket is a Religion in India, Sachin Tendulkar is the God. Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a biographical film depicting a tale of a small boy with dreams and his journey to becoming the God of Cricket and the most celebrated sportsperson in his country.

The teaser of 'Sachin: A Billion Dreams' begins with the voice of Sachin Tendulkar, quoting his father, Ramesh Tendulkar's words that the most important thing is what kind of a person you are. Undoubtedly, this teaser will give you goose bumps.

A biopic on the youngest recipient of Bharat Ratna, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the trailer itself forces us to shout the iconic famous chant, 'Sachin' Sachin!' A phenomenon in the cricket world, Sachin himself will appear in the movie, which is directed by London based director, James Erskin.

We don't need anymore reason to anticipate for this movie.

26 May - Baywatch

Bollywood's Desi Girl has been conquering Hollywood heights unlike anything that Indian Conema has ever seen. From presenting at every major Award Shows, to back-to-back wins at People's Choice Awards, to a runaway hit TV series that is looking for a 3rd Season, to multiple appearances on on all major Talk Shows, the former Miss World, National Award winner and Padma Shree recipient is finally set to make her Hollywood debut with what seems like a sure shot Summer Blockbuster, Baywatch.

Starring alongside hunks Dwane 'The Rock' Johnson and Zack Efron, PC plays the lead antagonist Victoria Leads and if the trailers are anything to go by, she makes for a convincing villain, confidently pointing a gun at the formidable Dwayne. After all, you don’t always have to be the hero.

Baywatch opens on May 26. Directed by Horrible Bosses’ Seth Gordon, Baywatch also stars Alexandra Daddario, Ilfenesh Hadera, Kelly Rohrbach and others. If you’ve been living under a rock till now, Baywatch was once the most watched American TV series on NBC.

JUNE


9 June - Raabta

There seems to a never ending buzz around producer Dinesh Vijan's directorial debut Raabta, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, fresh out of the critically and commercially acclaimed MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, and the lovely Kriti Sanon.

The two actors come together for the first time and the chemistry was instantly palpable in the pre-shoot look test (picture above). Sushant broke off with her actress girlfriend of many years, Ankita Lokhande, during the shoot of the movie, only to give rise to constant rumours of his alleged affair with his leading lady Kriti. The two kept their affair very hush-hush but it is being reported in the media that after a year of whirlwind romance, the two have called off their not-so-secret relationship.

However, the films still feels fresh and if the director is able to whip the charm of his previous productions like Love Aaj Kal and Cocktail into Raabta, the film is a sure-shot winner for the intended young audience.


23 June - Tubelight

Eid and Salman Khan have become synonymous like Lungs and Air. It's an Annual Tradition now, one that is eagerly awaited and definitely most anticipated by Bollywood lovers all over the world. And 2017 will not be any different as Salman Khan's Tubelight releases on Eid, on 23 June.

Directed by Kabir Khan, Tubelight, the film is based on Sino-India war. After delivering blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan and Salman Khan have collaborated for the second time for this film, after 2015 Blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The film also stars Chinese actor Zhu Zhu as its leading lady.

If Eid and Salman are still not enough for the billions of fan, the cheery on the cake is King Khan Shah Rukh Khan's special appearance in the movie. #Whistles and #Hooting, right? RIGHT!

April Fool's Day: Bollywood Celebs best at Fooling Media, Fans!

It's that time of year again when each one of us switch on our alert mode when dealing with our friends. Because it's the April Fools Day.  The customary harmless pranks and practical jokes are a staple diet in any close circle on this day. So how can our Bollywood stars be left behind, especially in the way they continue to dodge the media and even fans on social network about their lives behind the camera.

Yes, our Bollywood Stars are a treat for their fans when on promotional spree. And we are told by them about all the pranks they played during the shooting of their films. From Akshay Kumar and  Abhishek Bachchan to Amir Khan in his not-so-serious young days, stars and their many pranks on co-stars have become legendary. Yet many of them, read the TRP catchers, continue to fool the media and their fans when it comes to their own lives. We take a look at the Top 10 Bollywood Celebs best at Fooling the Media and the Fans

1) Salman Khan

All his ex-es, except one - the most most famous one at that, continue to party with him and his family in their private sojourns. Katrina Kaif signed Tiger Zinda Hai with him almost immediately after officially breaking up with Ranbir Kapoor even as we are now audience to the viral video of the alleged current paramour Iulia Vantur hugging Salman Khan in the sunny locales of Maldives to ring in Arpita Khan's little one Ahil's first birthday.

Salman Khan, the most eligible bachelor in Bollywood has dated some of the most gorgeous ladies and despite his impending wedding rumors floating in the beginning and ending of every year, he continues to prank his fans and the media alike by staying the eternal bachelor and national television's prime time show proclaimed "virgin". The 51 year old Mega Star continues to be not just the biggest Mass Entertainer, but also the Celeb best at Fooling the Media and his legions of Fans when it comes to his wedding question.

2) Ranbir Kapoor

The official blue blood of Bollywood Royalty, Ranbir Kapoor's proclamation on relationship on Karan Johar's Kofee with Karan, that "If you want space in Relationship, go and join NASA", is what defines the Aww inspiring charm for this young lad. From dating Deepika Padukone with PDAs to Katrina Kaif with whom he even moved into their own private abode, the Kapoor son is never to shy away from being the true and devoted lover he is.

Yet, the two long relationships are no more and he is very much Single. How he continues to saty best friends with both these leading ladies, despite murmurs of an over-bearing mother in Neetu Kapoor, is just a way of RK's way of folling the media and his die-hard fans.

3) Katrina Kaif

The Barbie doll finally shed her image of icy princess on the recently concluded season of Koffee with Karan. Yet no one can forget how she gets teased by Salman Khan at both his public and private events unlike anyone else, the most famous being Arpita Khan's wedding scene where she was pointed for missing out on being a Khan. How about being long referred as Bhabhi by Kareena Kapoor Khan on Koffee with Karan episode. Katrina Kaif remains an entertainment reporter's juiciest column filler for her billions of fans.

From being friends, read at-times-seemingly-more-than-friends, with Salman Khan in the seemingly on-and-off relationship, both personal and professional to suddenly being social media savvy after her live-in-relationship with Ranbir Kapoor went kaboom despite the apparent tries by the two to keep it together, and yet being referred by RK as on of his closest confidante, Katrina Kaif conties to successfully prank the media and her fans about her private life.

4) Deepika Padukone

This Lady seems to have it all, not just in Bollywood but now also in Hollywood. From highest grossing Bollywood films to award winning performances, to being included in the Top Ten Highest Paid Actress in the world according to Forbes Magazine, the actress is also a torchbearer when it came to coming out open about her Mental Depression and how the disorder needs to be accepted and dealt.

Oh, and she has the energizer bunny Ranveer Singh as her Eternal Lover, "allegedly". Because even though RS talks openly about his admiration, if not love, for his lady and follows him and his family as the most dreamy gentleman, Deepika who is often cited on vacations with Ranveer, only laughs when quizzed by Media and Fans.

The guy can be easily dubbed as probably the most secured boyfriend ever in the world for his lady love wished her fans in the recently concluded Holi on her Instagram account with not a picture of her with Ranveer from Ram-Leela where their played Holi in a song but with her picture with her ex and not close friend Ranbir Kapoor from their blockbuster Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.

Is she fooling the Media and Fans or is she actually fooling Ranveer Singh also? Not just Bollywood but even Hollywood is curious now.

5) Kangana Ranaut

She likes to call a spade a spade and woke up entire nation to its new national word, read NEPOTISM. The multiple national award winning actress has never shied away from media from talking about her struggles or the hardships she faced on her way to the top due to Bollywood Camps. From her infamous media spat with Megastar Hrithik Roshan over her love affair gone severely sour to famously calling Karan Johar the "Bollywood Mafia and flag bearer of Nepotism" on his own chat show, the 'simple girl from the mountains of Himachal' has been brewing one statement after another, flashing all her cards, Woman, Victim and Feminist, in her every statement.

But with all her Headline making statements, she has divided not just media but her fans too. How far is too far or is she finally being the one to not to bow down for her talent speaks in the end? Her latest film, Vishal Bhardawaj's Rangoon, flopped miserably at the box-office despite her gaining enormous praise for her acting. And her talented and award-winning co-stars (read Shahid Kapoor at first) also accuse of her of being too self-centric for all the praise and abandoning all when its comes to flops. Even the ex-es family did not shy from making a jab at her on her film's failure.

Karan Johar last wittily poke about running whenever he hears her name, but what about the girl Kangana Ranaut? Is she really in love as she recently proclaimed or is that too, along with all her statements, a means to fool the media and fans to stay on Top of TRP and Highest Paid Actress list?

One thing is for sure, hope she does not fool the media and fans of her talent as an actress.

6) Karan Johar

If there's a mention about Kangana Ranaut, how can Karan Johar be left behind. The maverick and multi-talented filmmaker not just delivered a blockbuster last year, amidst political controversy surrounding Pakistani actors, but also ruffled major controversial feathers on his own chat show, Koffee with Karan, with Ms Ranaut herself as guest on the couch. The two have been ever since giving one reply after another on the topic of Bollywood Nepostism and Feminism and Camps and even the filmmaker's new born twins Yash and Roohi were brought into the war of words by Kangana. An old video of KJo also recently emerged where he admitted of fanning Nepotism, giving major balls to the fan-war between the Queen's fans and those of KJo and his team, read Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha and more.

But the question remains - Is Karan really fooling the media and fans on the Nepotism debate with the Blockbusters his Dharma productions churn out with Star Kids, or is the Media and the fans of Queen, esp the Feminist Brigade, want to be fooled by continuing with the apparently never ending debate.

Well, let the movie business speak for the Star Kids brigade and let Kangana's work speak for itself. Media and Fans are happy to be fooled with fodder for social media rants.

7) Anushka Sharma

So if there is one actress who, despite having delivered power-packed performances in Khan blockbusters, stand tall for churning out small time money spinners under her own production house, it is Anushka Sharma. Her funda is simple - She will bankroll her choice of roles and movies HERSELF. Now that is one Feminist Act.

But why is she on the list? Hotness Alert - VIRUSHKA!

Anushka and Virat Kohli have been dating, now pretty much out in open with dance videos at friends' wedding and couple vacations during breaks, for quite a few years now. Yet every time they meet or tweet something in each other's appreciation, they surely fool the media and fans alike with fresh rumors of wedding bells.

The two are very much in love, have become part of each other's professional circle also with close friendships and support, and exhume major couple-goals in their instagram pics.

This is one actress we are happy to be fooled by, just to see her married with Padam Shree Virat Kohli, the most celebrated cricketer since Sachin Tendulkar. They are just so Aww that the unanswered questions on their couple status is endearing to the hearts of the billions of cinema and cricketer lovers - the two biggest religions in India.

8) Sonam Kapoor

The classic fashionista, fooled all her naysayers, when she delivered a power packed performance with last year's Neerja, a film that had her bagged many and equally deserving best actress trophies. But they why is she on the list?

To begin with, and something with the now acclaimed actress won't like as the beginner, it's her regular fooling of the media and her fans about her rumoured Businessman Boyfriend Anand Ahuja. The two are often seen together in not just vacation pictures, but also close family affairs of the Kapoors. He close circle now includes Kareena Kapoor Khan, and despite her ever-good-intentions, many feel its again fooling of the media for the buzz for her sister Rhea's upcoming production Veerey Di Wedding.

Well, no matter what the reality, Sonam sure has taken a big break for good roles and even Bebo will be making a comeback after her delivery. So bring it on with the stories, because fans surely want to see the powerhouse talent of acting and fashion on the screen in what may officially be the first chick flick in Indian Cinema, as the Kapoor production's Aisha did fool with the desired effect.

9) Rekha

The evergreen beauty remains a mystery and it will be a sham to not include her in the list. She is bigger than the movies Indian cinema can write for her. And that is no fooling. Except that she does fools in hiding her personal story.

Film events still rush to capture her reaction to Amitabh Bachchan on stage and her sindoor shines bright and mystery among any married woman.

Moreover, if the film industry was not enough, the gorgeous seductress fools the political media also with her absenteeism from the upper house of the Indian Parliament, even as she continues to make head turns at social parties.

For the Diva's one look, everyone is happy to be fooled. EVERYONE.

10) Shah Rukh Khan

He was and will always be King Khan for his fans.

He was and will always be every Media person's absolute delight to interact.

He was but is he still be biggest audience pull for his movies around the world?

The last is a question that has left media and fans confused, or shall we say Fooled! What has happened to the Charm associated with Shah Rukh Khan? His films are struggling to reach 100 crore mark, even as Salman and Shahrukh and even a relative newbie like Ranveer Singh are giving his films a major obstacle at ticket windows. The release dates of his films are no more scaring other films and actors like Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar are ready to clash with him for release.

Yes, Salman is now a friend again and he was the one who announced the release date of his upcoming Imtiaz Ali film with Anushka Sharma last year, but the hit machine Akshay Kumar is major gung ho about his own Toilet-Ek Prem Katha's clash with the SRK film on 11 August. Twitter has already started seeing fan wars on the same. A major repeat on the Republic Day clash of SRK's much delayed Raees against Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil, the producer of the latter even publicly accusing SRK and Raees's production house of arm twisting exhibitors. 

Don't fool us Shah Rukh. You were and will always be our Romance King. Time to pull up your socks and give us that one major Blockbuster Entertainment that is synonymous with King Khan and his untouched legacy.

Special Mention:

* Alia Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra:

Are they dating or are they not?

Did they really broke up or are they just being protective about each other and their relationship?

We just loved when on her mentor Karan johar's chat show Koffee with Karan Alia replied about her love life with, "I have got more than what I was looking for". Don't fool us sweetheart. The media and fans just want to see you two together.

* Kapil Sharma

Is Kapil Sharma really a bad guy or was it just a bad time that he allegedly hit his buddy and co-talent Sunil Grover on a Flight while returning from an Australian gig?

The TRPs have spoken up. The Kapil Sharma Show is no more in Top 10 - a major fall for a hugely loved show which was never out of Top 5. The reason - Not just Sunil Gover but even Ali Asgar and Chandan Prabhakar followed suit and quit the show.

And if the latest news is to be believed, despite bringing comedian Raju Shrivastav along with regulars Kiku Sharda and Sumona Chakravarti, the shoot of the latest episode with Parineeti Chopra and Ayushman Khurana had to be Cancelled within 10 minutes of shoot because of the zero laughter from the audience.

Who are you fooling, Kapil Sharma. You are talented, you started this show from the scratch but in the end, its the team that runs any show. Audience wants Dr Mashhoor Gulati and Rinku Bhabhi back. Time to wake up from your Ego-land.

The Fault in our Stars

​So..

Bhai is getting married.

Dream come True, I would feel.

I am having sudden tears every time I listen to a good song to perform at Sangeet... I don't know... I feel super happy when I finalise a song in my mind... I visualise the choreography, and then smile big for some time and then I get emotional. I had tears right now while traveling in metro.

I am super happy but scared too. I know in my heart that I too will get married but I can not marry in court.

I am full Punjabi at heart and soul and am scared won't get a Lawan fere and Sangeet wali wedding. 

I know marriage is important as it's for life and wedding involves just few functions. So I should not be cribbing for a short lived stuff over a life long blessing of being married. In my mind, I am able to see myself being happily married but I still don't see my family part of my married life. It kind of scares me. That is so not what the biological punjabi child I was seeing; so what the world now has shrunk into small circles. I am still that child, I yet to psychologically grow out of my pre-third grade phase.

Sometime I say to myself that marriage should be about me and that special one whom I will call 'my guy' for life, yet I do question where did I go wrong in myself. I did not chose this, it is just who I was always when I started feeling anything about love outside the other natural relationships called family and friends. My feelings were as instinctive as my heartbeats - it's just there and don't know for how long.

I like a girl being all coy and blushing and smiling and laughing and dancing with me in couple routine. She is a gorgeous creation of God. Just recently I had the pleasure to dance with amazing girl dance on the super romantic "Enna Sona" from "Ok Janu". I still can not get her expressions and smile out of my mind. It was one which I strongly believe makes even the most heartless guys poets.

But that's it. I can try again but I know I did not feel anything beyond. One can watch a beautiful painting or even a picturesque spot, natural or man made, but sooner or later you would want to move on and take a thankful breadth which is best done when shared with someone special. It is not all about sex, but companionship and that love, after all.

I have cease to be vicarious. It's just dreams of the hearts that don't cease to leave me.

This time, that I am living, was, is and will always be one of a time; that will never repeat even for a second. And these tears, better be out that in me, no matter how painful to my body and heart. I don't want to live with them. I don't want to live with them. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars. But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

I am better than an underling. I am better than this. I am a proud Punjabi and love my Big Family Life.

Bulleya.. Ve Ki Karaan..

Ever lived that moment when the clouds burst into a nearly perfect moment of enjoyment of light breeze? Arms stretched, eagerly waiting to take a flight with the very first drop that is hurriedly making way  from the heavens above? But the very drops hit you in a way that you just want to mix your soul into them and the only way you unknowingly do so by the burst in your eyes?

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil's Bulleya came as smack on my face and it's smile in not less than the same moments above. No one expect that feeling can exists or wants it to exit but it just hits you..

Why me.. is the only thing my soul could scream.. Muhajir.. But reality knows that no answers to past in the present..

Nevertheless, the song is not about me.. It is a movie and the characters living a situation a writer imagined with an ending that will soon come out on screen for the audience to judge and critique..

Yet the heart aches more when it reads everyone only saying positives about the song and all I am thinking.. Ve Ki Karaan..

A Ranjha is born for doom.. But why I am alone in feeling doomed when all any and everyone is writing about the song is the beauty of the song and the chemistry of the lead characters and the gorgeousness of the life they are living and the seduction of the talent in the visuals.. It kills me in every breadth for having the thoughts like this. I am speechless amidst all these thoughts and my feelings are dying to scream and cry till I can get that one hug that make me.. hmm.. no idea.. just that one hug..

Sufism has never been my kind.. maybe because, as I feel now, it's my language and therefore my mirror. The mirror never dusty, for all the good, the bad and the ugly..

The words by Amitabh Bhattacharya with the musical arrangement, replete with a band, by Pritam hit me hard unlike I was expecting or could have imagined. The visuals are stunning but I do wish the connoisseurs of music can get above Ayan and Saba, to experience what heartbroken souls go through when they find each other for a doomed hug of life.

Hafiz tera.. murshid mera..

Kyun aaj main muhabbat phir ek baar karna chahu..

Milney tujhse bagawat phir aaj karna chahu..

Ve Ranjhana..

Ve Ki Karaan..

Bulleya..