One of Bollywood's most powerful production houses, Yash Raj Films (YRF), turns 50 next year, and movie buffs look forward to keen celebrations. However, YRF are traditionally not given to overt hype or publicity drives, and like everything they do, studio sources have been tightlipped about its 2020 plan of action.
If the buzz is anything to by, YRF already have a star-filled line up for their golden jubilee year.
The big release lined up for YRF next year is the Akshay Kumar-satrrer "Prithviraj". Maintaining Bollywood tradition of having a YRF release on Diwali, the biggie will release on November 13. Interestingly, the lavish film, directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, launches Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar's Bollywood career as a heroine.
Akshay Kumar apart, YRF have several other top stars lined up through the year. New-gen superstar Ranveer Singh returns to Yash Raj fold with "Jayeshbhai Jordaar". The actor co-stars with Shalini Pandey (of "Arjun Reddy" fame) in the film, and transforms into a Gujarati man in the comic drama, which directed by debutant filmmaker Divyang Thakkar and produced by YRF's Maneesh Sharma, who incidentally called the shots on Ranveer's debut film, "Band Baaja Baaraat".
"I'm glad that today I find myself in a position where I can recognise exceptional talent and wholeheartedly back the vision of a brilliant new writer-director like Divyang. 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar' will be my next release after '83'," Ranveer told DNA a while back.
YRF's third confirmed biggie of 2020 is the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer period drama "Shamshera". The film casts Ranbir as a dacoit, opposite Vaani Kapoor, and also features Sanjay Dutt. "Shamshera" is directed by 'Agneepath" maker Karan Malhotra, and is slated for a July 31 release.
There have been unconfirmed reports of other big announcements, of course -- of films that may or may not release in 2020, if at all they go on floors.