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Bollywood releases a multitude of movies each year, but only a few make it to the list of movies which change the way we look at Indian Cinema. These movies are born out of passion, leave a deep impression and become classics. They are remembered for their connection with the audience, leaving an impression on them, for years to come.
Emotions got rolling in 2012 when movies like English Vinglish, Barfi!, Kahaani, Vicky Donor and Gangs of Wasseypur hit the theatres. Audiences were talking about them for days, even weeks after their release. English Vinglish was about a woman and a mother, played by Sridevi, who joined an English speaking course to gain confidence and self-respect. Despite raising eyebrows, Vicky Donor, a movie about a sperm donor, cut through the clutter to reach out to all age groups possible. Barfi showed that two people need not speak, to fall in love with each other. It was also appreciated for showing the physically challenged in a positive light. Gangs of Wasseypur, referred to as a modern cult film by many, was about the coal mafia – three crime families and the power struggle and violence between them. All these movies garnered praise and appreciation, from one and all.
2013 was adorned by cinematic endeavours which were worth every moment spent watching them. There were movies like Kai Po Che, The Lunchbox, Special 26, Ship of Theseus and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which were worth passing down to the next generation. While Kai Po Che was an account of how friendships are transformed due to communal violence, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a spectacularly shot cinematic account of the illustrious life of Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallist and army veteran Milkha Singh. Ship of Theseus was about the stories of three people – a photographer, who is disheartened with her photography post her cornea transplant, a monk with a resolve to ban animal testing in India and a stockbroker who takes it into his own hands, to find the person who received the kidney of a poor bricklayer. The Lunchbox was a story of lives led in fantasy and reality, and how the two became one.
2014 promises to raise the bar even higher, with interesting content and an extraordinary way of presenting it. The five movies to look forward to, in 2014, have compelling storylines woven with a talented cast under reputed banners.
Hawaa Hawaai, a movie about those who dare to dream, has been directed by Amol Gupte and stars Saquib Saleem and Partho Gupte. It is Amol Gupte’s next after the heart-warming Stanley ka Dabba, and this time, he takes on the world of in-line skating with kids from various strata of society. Hawaa Hawaai will hit theatres on 18th April, 2014. Queen, the Kangana Ranaut starrer is directed by Vikas Bahl. It is scheduled for release on February 28, 2014. The movie is about Rani, played by Kangana Ranaut, who has been left at the altar and goes, all alone, on a trip which was supposed to be her honeymoon. She finds herself, wins friends and has the time of her life doing it.
With Homi Adajania of Being Cyrus fame, as the director, Finding Fanny Fernandes will star stellar actors Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur in pivotal roles. It seems to be a deliciously witty tale of a bunch of oddball characters from Goa, out on a road trip. The movie is lined up for a 4th July release. Bombay Velvet, a story of Mumbai, is directed by Anurag Kashyap, with Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma playing the lead. Bombay Velvet is a star studded and exciting take on the life and times of Mumbai and how it became the metropolis it is today, charting its course from 1950s. It will release on Christmas, this year. Filmistan, directed by Nitin Kakkar, has already been doing the rounds at various prestigious international film festivals, and looks hopeful. All these movies offer cinema from a refreshingly new perspective – in terms of the content, raw emotions and expressions.
Renowned production houses such as Fox Star Studios, Viacom18 Motion Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures are investing in movies which strum our heart-strings. The winds of change are here. 2012 and 2013 showed us movies which made a difference, which bent the rules a bit, and gave us unforgettable cinema. Bollywood, as we know, has transformed, and the movies releasing this year will only reiterate that. 2014 looks bright for Bollywood, it looks promising. Let’s see what the audience feels when these release!
