2022 undoubtedly is the year of the movies. After multiple postpones and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a massive slate of titles now waiting to be unleashed. Right from epic historical and inspiring biopics to social dramas and horror comedies to impressive adaptations and remakes — Bollywood is all set to rock 2022. Check out our list of some of the hotly-anticipated Bollywood movies of 2022.
GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI
Release date: February 18, 2022
Directed by: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa
The master of grandeur and visuals aka Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to enthral cinephiles in 2022 with his hotly-anticipated project — Gangubai Kathiawadi. Based on a chapter about Gangubai Kothewali from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Gangubai Kathiawadi will showcase the powerhouse of talent – Alia Bhatt in a never-seen-before avatar. The film traces the life of a young girl and her journey to become a madame in the famous red-light area of Mumbai called Kamathipura. Talking about the film, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “It is a very special film to me. It has not been easy. We made it during the pandemic, and I have given it my all. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.” Well, even we can’t wait to catch this one on the big screen.
JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR
Release date: February 25, 2022
Directed by: Divyang Thakkar
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Shalini Pandey, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah
Being hailed as a film with “a miracle script” by the film’s leading man Ranveer Singh himself, Jayeshbhai Jordaar is undeniably a film to watch out for in 2022. Apart from the fact that one will see the talented actor play a quirky Gujarati man, the film also packs a strong social message and promises to be an entertaining ride. “It is a film with a big heart. In its concept as well as in its appeal, it encompasses the broadest spectrum of the cinema-loving audience, it is a film for everyone,” Ranveer said. Further talking about the character, he added, “Jayeshbhai is an unlikely hero - an ordinary man, who ends up doing something extraordinary when he's hurled into a threatening situation. He believes in equal rights between men and women in a society that is deeply rooted in patriarchal ideals, practices and doctrines.” This one promises not to disappoint for sure.
BACHCHAN PANDEY
Release date: March 4, 2022
Directed by: Farhad Samji
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Pankaj Tripathi, Prateik Babbar
Ever since the first look of the film has been released, with the film’s leading man — Akshay Kumar looking all raw and rugged, there has been excitement about Bachchan Pandey. Directed by Farhad Samji, Bachchan Pandey is an action-comedy and also features Kriti Sanon, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Pankaj Tripathi and Prateik Babbar in pivotal roles. While the makers are tight-lipped about the film, director Farhad Samji promises one thing about the film — “It’s an out-and-out commercial entertainer.”
SHAMSHERA
Release date: March 18, 2022
Directed by: Karan Malhotra
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Vaani Kapoor
Among the many films that got pushed ahead in 2020 due to the pandemic was this adrenaline-pumping entertainer — Shamshera. Now with restrictions being lifted, the film is finally poised to release on the big screen and we simply can’t wait to watch it. One of the many reasons that make Shamshera exciting is the fact that this desi high-octane masala film features Ranbir Kapoor in a double role. What’s more, the actor will be seen doing some jaw-dropping action sequences too. Vaani Kapoor, who plays the lead actress in the film, couldn’t stop raving about Ranbir’s never-seen-before avatar in the film, “The setting of the film is very different. Ranbir has a different look and character in the film. He has pulled it off and how. He will surprise you with this film.” We are waiting to be surprised!!!
BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2
Release date: March 25, 2022
Directed by: Anees Bazmi
Starring: Kartik Aaryan, Tabu, Kiara Advani, Rajesh Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Amar Upadhyay,
A good horror-comedy deserves a sequel, so fans of the critically acclaimed Bhool Bhulaiyaa can rejoice as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is finally coming to give us the thrills and the chills along with a good dose of laughter. While the prequel was headlined by Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, its sequel stars the young heartthrob of Bollywood Kartik Aaryan and the talented Kiara Advani. Talking about the film, director Anees Bazmi said, “My film is vastly different from Akshay and Vidya's movie. That one was a psychological thriller, but this one is a horror-comedy. The viewers will get the creeps but keep on laughing as it is loaded with humour. I did want to make a film that gives a hangover of the first one. There is no fun in that.” Seems like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is preparing to bring more laughter into our lives, so ensure to block your dates for this one well in advance for this one.
LAAL SINGH CHADDHA
Release date: April 14, 2022
Directed by: Advait Chandan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Naga Chaitanya
It’s been a while since the powerhouse of talent – Aamir Khan has graced the screen. However, this perfectionist of Indian cinema appears poised to finally return to the big screen with his new feature Laal Singh Chaddha. An adaptation of the 1994 American classic Forrest Gump featuring Tom Hanks, Laal Singh Chaddha has got every moviegoer excited and how. Talking about the film, Aamir said, “Forrest Gump is one of my favourite films. Always thought if I could make an Indian adaptation, it has to be of this film. I have been trying to get rights for 8 years after chasing Paramount Pictures, who hold all the rights to the 1994 released script.” The film is adapted by Atul Kulkarni and also features Kareena Kapoor Khan and south star Naga Chaitanya.
MAIDAAN
Release date: June 3, 2022
Directed by: Amit Ravindernath Sharma
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, Rudranil Ghosh
Inspired from an incredible true story, Maidaan showcases the journey of one of the finest football coaches that emerged from India, the one who put India on the global map — Syed Abdul Rahim. What makes the film all the more promising is its cast, the film features versatile actor Ajay Devgn and National award-winning actress Priyamani in lead roles. Commenting about the film, Ajay said in an interview, “It is a fabulous story, director Amit Ravindernath has done a great job. Maidaan has been a very moving and emotional journey for me.” It will be interesting to watch these two talented actors win hearts all over again in this much-awaited sports drama.
CIRKUS
Release date: July 15, 2022
Directed by: Rohit Shetty
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Pooja Hegde, Varun Sharma, Siddhartha Jadhav, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee, Vijay Patkar, Murli Sharma
An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play The Comedy of Errors, Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus has caught every movie buffs fancy since the day it has been announced. Shot during the pandemic, the film marks Rohit Shetty and Ranveer Singh’s third outing together after the massive success of Simmba and an appearance in Sooryanvanshi. While reports at large claim the film to be a remake of the 1982 cult classic Angoor, director Rohit Shetty sets the record straight, “We've made a cute comedy film with Ranveer called Cirkus. It's not similar to Angoor at all. If I have to genuinely tell you, Cirkus is not Angoor, it's Comedy of Errors, which is a Shakespearean play, on which numerous films have been made. So, it's from that play, but it's a totally different take, a different universe, if I have to tell you,” Rohit said. Every time this director-actor duo has come together, they have only entertained the audience, so expect no less this time either.
ADIPURUSH
Release date: August 11, 2022
Directed by: Om Raut
Starring: Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh
Allegedly riding on a whopping budget of Rs. 500 crores, this 3D mythological film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana definitely is one of the most hotly-anticipated movies of 2022. Headlined by the Baahubali actor Prabhas, it is reported that the graphics in Adipurush would have triple the amount of VFX than the Baahubali series. While the makers are not willing to divulge any details about the film, film’s director Om Raut gave an insight about Saif Ali Khan and Prabhas’s look in the film. He said, “Saif and Prabhas have undergone a remarkable physical transformation and there is massive action involved too. There is a lot of physical transformation that Prabhas has undergone from an artiste's point of view. With Saif Ali Khan, it is evident in the pictures, but I cannot reveal much.” Needless to say, there is a dizzying amount of excitement around this one.
BRAHMĀSTRA
Release date: September 9, 2022
Directed by: Ayan Mukerji
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt
This three-part action fantasy film has been much delayed, but if everything lines up right expect to catch this power-packed film hit the marquee this September. Touted as one of the biggest films ever made in India, Brahmāstra brings together on screen a bunch of extremely talented actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Dimple Kapadia, Mouni Roy among others. Shrouded in mystery since its announcement, the makers have kept the story of the film under wraps but going by the power-packed star cast, and the grand scale on which the movie is mounted, expect big things from the first part of this fantasy film. In an official statement, director Ayan Mukerji had said, “It’s a story I have lived for the last 10 years. Brahmāstra is the perfect family big ticket entertainer, a cinematic experience unlike anything seen in India before, filled with fantasy and adventure, with drama and a lot of heart and I am happy to finally present it to audiences. We have envisioned and scaled Brahmāstra with cutting edge technology and never seen before visual spectacles, an attempt to create a global pop culture phenomenon from India.”
VIKRAM VEDHA
Release date: September 30, 2022
Directed by: Pushkar and Gayatri
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte
It would be unfair to have one more year go by without a Hrithik Roshan movie. The Greek God of Bollywood is all set to reign the screens in September with Vikram Vedha. A remake of the 2017 hit Tamil-language film of the same name, Vikram Vedha is a neo-noir action thriller based on the Indian folktale ‘Vikram aur Betaal’. The film tells the story of a tough police officer who sets out to track down and kill an equally tough gangster. The film also stars Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte in pivotal roles and is helmed by the original writers and directors — Pushkar and Gayatri. Talking about the Hindi adaptation and working with Hrithik and Saif, the director duo said, “We are delighted to be working with Hrithik and Saif - two great actors. With a superb team around us, we hope to deliver a film that will be intense and exciting.”
TEJAS
Release date: October 5, 2022
Directed by: Sarvesh Mewara
Starring: Kangana Ranaut
What makes this film interesting is the fact that it honours the brave hearts of armed forces and is inspired by the landmark event of 2016, when the Indian Air Force became the country`s first defence force to induct women into combat roles. Film’s protagonist — Kangana Ranaut, who plays a Sikh soldier in the film, said in a statement, “Very often the sacrifices made by our brave women in uniform go unnoticed by the nation. Tejas is a film where I have the honour of playing the role of one such Air Force pilot that puts country before self. I hope we instil a sense of patriotism and pride in the youth of today with this film.”
RAM SETU
Release date: October 24, 2022
Directed by: Abhishek Sharma
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nushrratt Bharuccha
The Bollywood movie calendar is incomplete if there aren’t a couple of Akshay Kumar films lined up throughout the year. So, after a brief pause, the Khiladi of Bollywood shall again return to the big screen for Diwali 2022 with the action-adventure drama — Ram Setu. While not much is known about the film, it is learnt that the film brings forward a story deeply rooted in Indian cultural and historical heritage. Akshay, who is excited to be a part of this project, said in a statement, “The story of Ram Setu is one that has always intrigued and inspired me: it represents strength, bravery and love, and uniquely Indian values that have formed the moral and social fabric of our great country. Ram Setu is a bridge between generations past, present and future. I look forward to telling the story of a significant part of Indian heritage, especially for the youth.” Needless to say, there is quite a hype around Ram Setu to be the next big action-adventure film.
BHEDIYA
Release date: November 25, 2022
Directed by: Amar Kaushik
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Deepak Dobriyal
Varun Dhawan’s upcoming horror-comedy Bhediya is another film to look forward to in 2022. The film’s first look poster with a rugged and dishevelled looking Varun Dhawan has already set the mood and got the audience excited. Bhediya has been directed by Amar Kaushik, of Stree fame. In a statement, Amar said, “Bhediya is a tale filled with awe-inspiring imagery. Each and every member of the cast and crew knew that we were crafting something very special. It’s not just the path-breaking VFX; the film is a feast for the eyes in every aspect possible.” Now, who would want to miss this wild adventure.
