The Hottest Films of 2007 coming up!

The Hottest Films of 2007 coming up!

The first six months of 2007!

It’s been a mixed bag of goodies so far. Like a lucky draw. Some got their favourite candy from it, others got a phtooey bag! We’ve had releases like Bheja Fry, Cheeni Kum, Guru, Namaste London - all big hits so far. Then there’ve been Metro, Tara Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom; opening to mixed reviews but all average hits. And then the much hyped Salaam-E-Ishq which went down … Now the next six months … and another mixed bag coming up. Big films,big banners, different scripts and big stars … as for the directors - the men who make it rock - here’s who to watch out for - the hottest directors coming up …


Ashutosh Gowariker

Film to watch out for: Jodha Akbar
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

USP: Aishwarya Rai’s first big release after her newly acquired status as Mrs. Bachchan. Her sizzling chemistry with Hrithik in Dhoom 2, and the controversial lip-lock reportedly ruffled Bachchan feathers. But that’s history. Now new history is being written with this historical. And everyone’s waiting to see the magic unfold once again.

Expectation: Is always high from a director who graciously walked the red carper at the Oscars for Lagaan. And though Swades wasn’t a commercial super-success, Ashutosh Gowariker’s cinematic vision is grand and far above the ordinary.


Farah Khan

Film to watch out for: Om Shanti Om
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Producer: Red Chilli Productions

USP: A Shah Rukh Khan home production is reason enough. And SRK’s pairing with supermodel Deepika (who’s touted as the next hottest gal in Bollywood) is quite an unusual but intriguing combo. A pleasant break from his favourite leading ladies - Rani, Preity and Kajol. The audiences’ will heave with excitement too. Farah Khan known for her stilted take and bold sensibilities, has pulled off a never-done-before casting coup. A host of beauties from Shilpa Shetty, Rani, Kajol, Preity, Priyanka, Saif, Karisma, Salman, Juhi, Dharmendra, Bobby, Jeetendra, Sunju, Rishi Kapoor, Subhash Ghai, Karan Johar and more….have done cameos in the film.

Expectation: The SRK - Farah Khan deadly combo created a commercial pot-boiler with Main Hoon Na. This one is apparently another tribute to the golden era of Bollywood, much like her debut film. Nothing short of sky-high expectations from this one.


Shimit Amin

Film to watch out for: Chak De India
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan and Vidya Malvade and a hockey team of women!
Producer: Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films)

U.S.P: SRK playing an ex-hockey player who returns to the field as a coach to the women’s hockey team - interesting plot. Reviving a national sport that is overshadowed by another passion, cricket. But with cricketers stock taking a beating, hockey with SRK may just be the new sporty flavour of the season.

Expectation: High expectations only because it’s an SRK and Aditya Chopra venture. Shimit Amin’s previous film Ab Tak Chappan didn’t leave a dramatic impact on the B.O, so we wouldn’t bet all our money on Vidya’s team - not yet really, but safe to hedge here.


Vivek Agnihotri

Film to watch out for: Goal
Cast: John Abraham, Bipasha Basu
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

U.S.P: John and Bipasha will be scorching the screens together after nearly three years. The film was embroiled in controversies of all kinds - from racism in UK, to fall-outs and eventual break-ups. The latest rumor doing the rounds is the John-Bips split, also that the cracks in this long relationship appeared during filming Goal. If it’s true this might be their last film as a real-life jodi. All eyes are waiting to see if their chemistry is as hot as before!


Expectation: A film based on soccer is reminiscent of Gurinder Chadha’s Bend It Like Beckham, which was a runaway hit. Curiosity meter is high for this film from the content and controversy angle. The sex appeal of the lead stars only adds


Anurag Kashyap

Film to watch out for: No Smoking
Cast: John Abraham, Ayesha Takia
Producer(s): Vishal Bharadwaj and Kumar Mangat

USP: John Abraham is hot property now, so he is the single most USP in this film. The film is about a smoking addict trying to resurrect his life, is definitely a refreshing subject. And with the debate on whether smoking should be banned on-screen - heating up intellectual movie circles around the globe, this film is perfectly timed.

Expectation: Anurag Kashyap was known as the jinxed director, till the controversial Black Friday hit the theatres. He’s won accolades in the critics circle, but his understanding in mainstream commercial cinema is yet to be proved. Expectations aren’t too high, but it might be a surprise package.


David Dhawan

Film to watch out for: Partner
Cast: Salman, Govinda, Katrina, Lara
Producer: Sohail Khan

USP: Salman, Govinda and David Dhawan - this is a comedy combo everyone’s been waiting for! The Govinda-Sallu dosti is the talk-of-the-town, so much that this film is garnering a lot of publicity along the way. Govinda’s hottest hits (Coolie No. 1, Hero No.1), and Salman’s best performances (Biwi No.1, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge) have been with the funny-bone tickler, Dhawan, The trio coming together is the best thing to happen.


Expectation: Movie buffs are hopeful about Govinda and Salman’s screen chemistry and comic timing. But Dhawan has been unpredictable lately, he lost his magical comic touch with Shaadi No.1, so over-expectation could just be a killjoy.


Anil Sharma

Film to watch out for: Apne
Cast: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty
Producer(s): Rahul Sugandh, Sangeeta Ahir

U.S.P: The coming together of the three Deols for the first time ever - is the USP of this film. The director known as Anil ‘Gadar’ Sharma, has been riding on the success of Gadar (which remains Bollywood’s biggest hit to date) for long, this family film has been his toughest project ever.

Expectation: The three dashing Deols have distinct personalities, and different generations of fan following, too. Hence, expectations are (and ought to be) very high from such a star-muscle-power-packed family.


Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Film to watch out for: Saawariya
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor
Producer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

USP: Launchpad for star-kids Ranbir (Rishi and Neetu Kapoor’s son) and Sonam (Anil Kapoor’s daughter). The film has been kept under wraps, so the curiosity value is really high. SLB on his own star merit attracts huge numbers; like Rani says, he brings out such amazing performances from his stars that they’re left stunned at their own untapped talent.

Expectation: This is touted as one of the most-awaited films of the year simply for the new stars on the block under SLB’s baton.


Vijay Krishna Acharya

Film to watch out for: Tashan
Cast: Kareena, Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar
Producer: Aditya Chopra - (Yash Raj Films)

USP: Kareena and Akshay has been a lucky jodi in the past, and having swept away the awards for his performance in Omkara, Saif and Kareena are the new toasts-of-town. The rare mix of actors in this film seems to a winning combo all the way.

Expectation: With Dil To Pagal Hai, Karisma Kapoor delivered one of her finest performances of her career. Now hopes are pinned on Kareena - who features in a Yashraj film for the fist time. Not much is known about the director, but with Aditya’s spot-on luck with first timers, and all the hype ‘n’ hoopla a Yash Raj Film creates - expectations will soar high.



Anil Mehta

Film to watch out for: Aaja Nachley
Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Akshaye Khanna, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor
Producer: Yash Raj Films

U.S.P: The return of the dancing diva Madhuri Dixit, in well, a dancing role. Need we say more?

Expectation: After years Madhuri Dixit returns to the silver-screen with a tailor-made role. She’s back to doing what she does best - dancing. Only second to acting, of course. Expectations have hit the roof!


Ajay Devgan

Film to watch out for: U, Me aur Hum
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol
Producer: Ajay Devgan

USP: Two of best actors in Bollywood - Ajay and Kajol appear together on celluloid after a span of seven years.

Expectation: When a rockstar performer like Ajay wields the directorial baton, expectations are bound to be exceedingly high. And Kajol being a rare-sight on silver-screen, with her abundant talent and style, curiosity quotient is running riot already.


Director: Feroze Abbas Khan

Film to watch out for: Gandhi My Father
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Bhumika Chawla, Shefali Chhaya - Shah
Producer: Anil Kapoor

USP: The subject is alarming and unique. Besides, there’s very little revealed about it - that’s what makes it interesting.

Expectation: Fairly high - with serious cine-goers atleast.


Pradeep Sarkar

Film: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Cast: Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor
Producer: Aditya Chopra - Yash Raj Films

U.S.P: The Abhishek-Rani intense chemistry. After his shaadi he’ll be seen paired with Rani again in this one, in fact, what everyone is waiting to see is the Bachchan bahu’s reaction. Of course, every actor in this film is a stellar performer - it has little reason to worry. B.O records, or critical acclaim - it will be a winner one-way or the other. Most likely, both.


Expectation: With powerhouse performers like these expectations are extremely high. After the success of Parineeta, Pradeep Sarkar is a director to look out for.


Director: Aamir Khan

Film to watch out for: Taare Zameen Par
Cast: Aamir Khan, Darsheel Safary, Tisca Chopra
Producer: Aamir Khan

USP: Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan - As the director, actor, producer.

Expectation: An Aamir Khan film is not a regular phenomenon; hence every AK film is an attention-grabber. In fact, everything the elusive actor says and does makes headlines. And this being his directorial debut - Aamir has a lot to prove, a lot to say. And definitely a lot to hear.


Madhur Bhandarkar

Film to watch out for: Fashion
Cast: Undecided
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

USP: A welcome break from all the make-belief stories, with picture-perfect faces and dream-like locations. A peek-a-boo in to the world of reality. Like every other Bhandarkar film.

Expectation: As realistic as it can get!


Imtiaz Ali

Film to watch out for: Untitled production
Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor
Producer: Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd

USP: After a series of stupendous performances in movies like Chameli, Omkara, Dev; Kareena Kapoor has become the toast of the critics’ circle. Though their last five films together didn’t do perfect justice to their adorable chemistry (which is so evident in real-life), this romantic- adventure story of a Punjabi girl and Muslim boy, might be able to link the missing connection.

Expectation: Imitiaz Ali’s first film Socha Na Tha, was fairly well-made, but we can’t bet our last dime on him just as yet. Expectations are high from a Kareena-Shahid pair, as always.


Harry Baweja

Film to watch out for: Love Story 2050
Cast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra
Producer: Harry Baweja

USP: A mega launchpad for Harry Baweja’s son, Harman. The film has been embroiled in controversy, with Kareena walking out, and Priyanka stepping in at the last minute. Harman hasn’t been exposed to the media, so there’s a surprise element for the audiences.

Expectation: It’s rumoured that Priyanka and Harman are romantically involved, so their screen romance is something to watch out for as even rumoured linkups have worked for every newcomers before this too (remember Sunny-Amrita, Kumar Gaurav-Vijayeta, etc, etc, etc/). Harry Baweja’s also known for his special effects, so this futuristic, sci-fi flick should be another feather in his cap, if only for his son.