Films to look out for in the second half of 2016

After his last two releases, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Salman Khan is no longer associated only with 'timepass' masala films. It seems his affair with story-based cinema will continue with Yash Raj Films’ Sultan, as is evident from the promotional material. With the teaser instantly striking a chord, there are high expectations from the film in which Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma play wrestlers.

The film, directed by Anurag Basu, has been delayed for a variety of reasons. But Jagga Jasoos is still keenly awaited. The biggest reason is Anurag Basu and Ranbir Kapoor teaming together again after the successful Barfi! The story of a young detective also makes it interesting. And how can we forget the re-pairing of ex-lovers Ranbir and Katrina Kaif?

A film based on the lost civilisation of Mohenjo Daro itself sounds intriguing. Plus, this one stars Hrithik Roshan and is helmed by Ashutosh Gowariker. This is their first outing together after the successful Jodhaa Akbar (2008). The initial stills of Mohenjo Daro have added to the excitement.

With a hat-trick of acclaimed and successful films – A Wednesday (2008), Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015) – Neeraj Pandey is a filmmaker to watch out for. Rustom will be his third association with Akshay Kumar, who has gained tremendous respect from the masses and the classes alike in recent years. As the first-look poster of the film has also generated interest, this Akshay Kumar-Ileana D’Cruz starrer promises a lot.

A biopic on India’s most successful cricket captain and one of the country's best cricketers is bound to create tremendous interest. M.S. Dhoni – The Untold Story created a buzz as soon as it was announced. Sushant Singh Rajput’s close resemblance to the cricketer has provided the added credibility. With the first teaser focusing on Dhoni’s personal life, the film promises to live up to its tagline.

When Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar join hands as producers for the first time, the expectations are bound to be high. Plus, Baar Baar Dekho sees the fresh pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif. Their chemistry is something fans would be eager to see.

Much isn't known about director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Pink. But with Amitabh Bachchan as the main lead and Sujoy Ghosh (director of Kahaani) as producer, the film does hold promise as it approaches the release date. Big B’s look as a strict lawyer has also given rise to positives vibes.

There are numerous reasons for Rangoon to be in our list of keenly awaited films. It has an unusual casting of Shahid Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut and Saif Ali Khan. It’s the third time Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid are teaming up after Kaminey and Haider. It will also be interesting to see Kareena’s husband and past lover sharing screen space. Plus, the fact that the film features the Second World War and is shot in the remote locations of Arunachal Pradesh adds to the interest.  
 
 

With his last outing, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag garnering such high acclaim, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next is surely looked forward to. Needless to mention, he was also the helmer of the cult classic, Rang De Basanti. Although Mirzya stars a newcomer Harshvardhan Kapoor, the fact that he is the son of the evergreen star, Anil Kapoor has brought him into limelight. 
 

Ranbir Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma – if the presence of such an ensemble cast doesn’t excite you, wait there’s more. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil also marks the return of Karan Johar as a director. This is just his sixth directorial venture in a career spanning 18 years.
 

Ajay Devgn returns as a director in Shivaay, after his debut U Me Aur Hum in 2008. Frankly, there wasn’t much excitement for this film when it was announced and later when it went into making. However, its shooting stills and videos that featured the actor carrying out daredevil stunts in the beautiful yet scary locales of Poland turned things around. The mythological factor of Lord Shiva adds to the curiosity. 
 

A film on rock music doesn’t quite fit into the Bollywood arena. But director Abhishek Kapoor made it possible with a film that apart from featuring rock music, touched the audience’s hearts with its tale on friendship. The film is also known for the debut of Farhan Akhtar as an actor and singer. Rock On!! 2 also brings Shraddha Kapoor in the franchise. 
 

Kahaani turned out to be one of the earliest successful films starring a female as the main lead. The Vidya Balan starrer is also known for being a cutting edge thriller with a shocking factor in the climax. Obviously, the same is expected with Kahaani 2, which also stars Arjun Rampal. 
 

Despite being the man behind the all time classic, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Aditya Chopra has followed this up with just two films – Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi – in the next twenty long years. So, if he returns to the director’s seat with the mass favorite Ranveer Singh, it automatically becomes a film to watch out for. 
 

To say that Dangal is one of the keenly awaited films would be an understatement. An Aamir Khan film is bound to create excitement since the actor believes in quality over quantity. Hence, it’s a once in 4-5 years occurrence to see an Aamir film hitting theatres. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal is a biopic on the wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. And like most of his films, Aamir has undergone painstaking training to step into the shoes of the real-life wrestler.