Here's hoping some long-stuck films with exciting storylines
hit theatres soon, plus some exciting Bollywood projects that we wish
go on floors 2016.
The Hindi film industry churns out hundreds of films every year, but
only some manage to make it to the must-watch list of movie buffs. Many a
time, however, highly anticipated films do not reach the audience due
to a variety of reasons. hitlist pulls out a list of films, which are
either waiting for a release since years or have not gone on floors long
after they were announced:
Four exciting films with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead are awaiting release since long
Dhyan Chand biopic
In a nutshell: In October 2014, Karan Johar took to Twitter to
announce that his production house along with Pooja and Aarti Shetty
will be making a film on the hockey legend, most remembered for his
extraordinary goal-scoring feats, in addition to earning three Olympic
gold medals.
The hurdle: Scripting is done, but there's no development on the
casting front. While KJo and Pooja remained unavailable for comment,
Ashok Kumar, son of Dhyan Chand, says, "I am not sure when the film will
roll. They (makers) have not yet updated me. I hope it starts this
year."
'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz'
In a nutshell: In this Kushan Nandy film, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will
essay the role of a contract killer with Tahir Raj Bhasin as his
competitor. Chitrangda Singh will play a local cobbler. Initially, Roopa
Ganguly was roped in to play the role of a politician inspired by
Mamata Banerjee but the makers signed another actress since the story
shifted to Bihar and the politician's character will be modeled after
BSP leader Mayawati.
The hurdle: After financial concerns, the project hit a roadblock
while shooting in West Bengal. Workers under the Federation of Cine
Technicians and Workers of Eastern India reportedly stalled the shooting
due to non-clearance of dues. The director accused them of extortion
and packed up from there. Then there were rumours of the film being
shelved. Nandy, however, tells us: "We will start shooting the last
schedule in February and have plans to release it this year."
'Monsoon Shootout'
In a nutshell: The Amit Kumar directorial features Nawazuddin
Siddiqui and Tannishtha Chatterjee in lead roles. The story is about
Shiva, a rookie cop, who lives out two possible futures after a
confrontation with a hit man. It was premiered at Cannes in 2013 and
travelled to Hawaii International Film Festival, London Indian Film
Festival, Dubai Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, South Asian Indian
Film Festival and many such galas.
The hurdle: It was completed in 2012, but there is no news of a
release date. Vijay Varma, who has an important part in the film, says,
"After being screened at several big-ticket festivals, it had an Indian
premiere too in November last year and has already aired on television
in France and Germany. We are still looking for an Indian theatrical
release and it should be sometime this year."
'Shoebite'
In a nutshell: Shoojit Sircar's film starring Amitabh Bachchan is
about a sexagenarian named John Pereira who sets out on a journey of
self-discovery.
The hurdle: Shoojit started working on 'Vicky Donor' (2012) after
he started facing repeated delays for 'Shoebite', which was earlier
named as Johnny Walker and supposed to be backed by Percept Picture
Company. After the director approached UTV, Percept filed a lawsuit
against the film studio in 2008 to block the film's shoot. Six years
after it was made, the film is still waiting to exhale. Shoojit blames
UTV Motion Pictures for not ensuring the release and says the way they
have treated the film, it is an insult to the superstar.
'Ghoomketu'
In a nutshell: An aspiring writer (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who hails
from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, runs away to Mumbai. He gives
himself 30 days to try and prove his worth.
The hurdle: Directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, the film has been
stuck since 2014 as the makers have been trying to partner with a major
production house after failing to get distributors. While co-producer
Anurag Kashyap could not be reached for clarity on a release date, Richa
Chadda, who has a special appearance in the film, said she is not aware
when it will hit the theatres.
Kishore Kumar biopic
In a nutshell: A film on the legendary actor-singer is expected to
trace his journey in the industry, personal life (four marriages) and
his seemingly eccentric behaviour. According to reports, Kumar's family
earlier had reservations about giving their nod to the biopic, but later
gave their approval.
The hurdle: Anurag Basu announced the film in 2012 with Ranbir
Kapoor on board. However, soon after, the duo announced 'Jagga Jasoos'
and started working on the detective drama. A few months ago, Ranbir
revealed that the project has been facing opposition from Kumar's family
over the script and casting, plus financial issues, due to which the
film has been shelved. Last week, it was reported that Aamir Khan has
evinced interest in the project and might play the legend on screen.
'Haraamkhor'
In a nutshell: Based on real-life events, this film featuring
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is about a teacher and his extra-marital affair with
a student (played by 'Masaan' actress Shweta Tripathi). It was
apparently shot in 16 days with funds raised through a social networking
site. It premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival and Indian Film
Festival of Los Angeles. However, no release date has been announced so
far for this Shlok Sharma directorial.
The hurdle: Last April, there were reports of Pune police
registering a case against Sharma after Balbharati, Maharashtra's
textbook bureau, objected to striking similarities between its logo and
promotion scenes from the film. However, it is unclear if this has
delayed the film's release.
'Traffic'
In a nutshell: The film, helmed by Rajesh Pillai, is a remake of his
2011 Malayalam flick that revolves around a brain-dead man whose kin
agree to donate his heart to a needy patient. The harvested heart,
however, has to be transported 150 kilometres away in less than two
hours during peak traffic hours. The makers claim it is inspired from a
true-life 'green corridor' phenomenon that took place in Chennai. Manoj
Bajpayee plays a traffic cop in the film that has an ensemble cast
consisting of Jimmy Sheirgill, Divya Dutta, Parambrata Chatterjee,
Prosenjit Chatterjee and Amol Parashar.
The hurdle: It was slated to go on floors in 2011 with Sunny
Deol, Rajat Barmecha and Minissha Lamba. The project got stuck in the
cans due to production issues and was expected to hit theatres in
October last year. Richa Panai, who plays a key role in the film, says,
"We finished shooting in mid 2015. It was a memorable experience as I
got to share screen space with so many talented actors. Now, we all are
waiting for its release, hopefully, in the first half of 2016."
