Much Awaited Hindi Movies of 2009.....

3 Idiots

Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor

Chetan Bhagat's first novel Five Point Someone based on student life at IIT was a big hit when published some years back. Rajkumar Hirani takes a break from the Munnabhai series to adapt this literary work into cinema. Aamir Khan will once again play a college student post Dil Chahta Hai . With Hirani's expertise this one shouldn't turn out into some Hello , a tacky adaptation of Bhagat's second novel which was way too filmi and formulaic as compared to his much interesting first.

What's Your Rashee?

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Cast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra

More than Harman Baweja, we have faith in Ashutosh Gowariker who has a grand cinematic vision. Just like he directed a simple and small-scaled Swades post Lagaan , he is directing a comparatively undemanding film What's Your Rashee post the exasperating magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar . The film is based on an Indian novel and it will be interesting to see Gowariker recreate the Harman-Priyanka chemistry.

My Name is Khan

Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol

Karan Johar takes a U-turn from his candyfloss filmmaking and tackles a more serious issue with My Name is Khan where Shah Rukh Khan plays a Muslim named Rizwan Khan and is detained in LA as a suspected terrorist. Add to it his character also suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a milder form of autism and his impairment makes his behaviour more suspicious. Shah Rukh has gained weight and will be sporting a new trimmed hairdo for the film.

While Karan maintains that the film is a true story based on a couple's life in LA, some say it is inspired from the Oscar nominated Dustin Hoffman - Tom Cruise starrer Rain Man . Incidentally the film is already in news for its alleged similar storyline with Yash Raj Films' New York starring John Abraham, Neil Mukesh and Katrina Kaif. But to us the plot sounds more similar to Naseeruddin Shah's Shoot on Sight .

Kambhakkt Ishq

Director: Sabir Khan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards

Expect Sajid Nadiadwala to make his project as grand as possible. His favourite and the current superstar Akshay Kumar plays the lead role with Kareena for company. But the film is making news for its international star cast and this time there are no itsy-bitsy names but established stars like Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards who have cameos in the film.

London Dreams Director: Vipul Shah Cast: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin The film was originally launched in 2006 with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan and was being directed by Rajkumar Santoshi then. Some scenes were even canned with Salman Khan in Amritsar's Golden Temple. But then like most Santoshi films, this one too got shelved. In 2008 the film was revived with the same cast but Vipul Shah at the director's seat. London Dreams is seemingly about rock musicians played by Salman and Ajay Devgan and rumoured to be inspired by the Oscar winner Amadeus . It would be interesting to see the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam duo of Salman and Ajay together after a decade. Another attraction is Asin who is already making her presence felt in Bollywood. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani Director: Rajkumar Santoshi Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel Ranbir Kapoor takes the Salman Khan legacy by being named as Prem in this love story. Interestingly he is paired opposite Salman's ladylove Katrina Kaif in the film. This is director Rajkumar Santoshi's first love story, who is otherwise known for socially driven action films. Not an intense romance flick, this one will have some light-hearted humourous moments. Santoshi explains the character of Prem as the Charlie Chaplin and Raj Kapoor of present times.

Main Aur Mrs Khanna Director: Prem Soni Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan Kareena Kapoor confessed that she was nervous working with Salman Khan in this film despite having shared screen space with him in Kyon Ki . Salman and Kareena play a happily married couple until Kareena falls for a club worker played by Sohail Khan. Govinda plays a marriage counselor who attempts to patch up their strained relationship. Does that sound like Biwi No. 1 with gender-reversal of sorts? Allegedly Main Aur Mrs Khanna is the same film that was responsible for the Shah Rukh - Salman spat on Katrina's birthday party as, reportedly, Salman wanted SRK to play a cameo in the film which he refused. Hook Ya Crook Director: David Dhawan Cast: John Abraham, Genelia D'Souza, Uday Chopra The film was announced in 2006 with R Siddharth (of Rang De Basanti fame) and Amrita Rao in lead roles. In 2008 the lead pair was replaced by John Abraham and Vidya Balan. The film finally goes on floor in 2009 with Vidya being replaced by Genelia D'Souza. Scripted by Renzil D'Silva (of Rang De Basanti fame), Hook Ya Crook is a comedy but not like David Dhawan's earlier slapsticks. This one has dark shades with a good dose of action, as well. Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp Director: Sujoy Ghosh Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandes Sujoy Ghosh's Aladin is a magnanimous fantasy film based on the popular Arabian Nights fable and has Riteish Deshmukh play Aladin while Amitabh Bachchan is the Genie. Sanjay Dutt plays a negative character while Aladin's love interest Jasmine will be played by newcomer Jacqueline Fernandes. Raavan Director: Mani Ratnam Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Ravi Kishan After years of speculation on a cinematic version of Indian epics like Mahabharat and Ramayan, finally one director has set to do the honours. This Mani Ratnam project is being directed amidst complete secrecy in the forests of Kerela. All that is conjured about the film is that while Aishwarya Rai is obviously playing Sita, its not husband Abhishek Bachchan but south actor Vikram playing Ram. Rather Ratnam has turned tables with casting Abhishek Bachchan as the Raavan. Let's see what difference Mani Ratnam imparts to the epic, which is known to almost every citizen of the country.

Luck

Director: Soham Shah
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Shruti Hassan, Mithun Chakravarthy, Ravi Kishan

Luck marks the debut of Kamal Hassan's daughter Shruti Hassan who will star opposite Imran Khan and will also lend her voice for some rocking numbers composed by Pritam. Luck also brings together the Kidnap duo of Imran Khan and Sanjay Dutt together. Ravi Kishan plays a psycho in the film and his character is akin to several animals rolled into one. One could credit the animal instincts to director Soham Shah who last directed the wildlife horror Kaal for Karan Johar and has now shifted to the Sanjay Dutt camp. The film is shot throughout in South Africa and promises to be high on adrenaline action.

Rajniti

Director: Prakash Jha
Cast: Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif

Prakash Jha delves into his favourite territory again and as the title clearly suggests Rajniti is a film on present-day politics merged with chapters of Mahabharat. Ajay Devgan will symbolize the character of Karn, Nana Patekar of Krishna, Ranbir Kapoor of Arjun and Katrina Kaif of Draupadi. Also Vivek Oberoi was offered a role in the film but he opted out due to date problems.

Kaminay

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra

Kaminay is an action-comedy and, as the title suggests, is about cunning people. Shahid Kapoor has lost weight for this role and his look in this film is being kept as a close-guarded secret. So much so that Shahid has stopped making public appearances until the promos of the film are out. Insiders reveal that Shahid sports a tanned look in the film with beard and different haircuts. Priyanka Chopra, on her part, is learning
Marathi for her character in the film. There's also buzz of a passionate lip-lock between the two in the film.

enzil D'Silva - Karan Johar Project

Director: Renzil D'Silva
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Tara Sharma

Not much is known about this untitled project other than the fact that it's a political thriller and the first film to have Saif Ali Khan opposite Kareena Kapoor post their couple status (if you could overlook their vocal chemistry in Roadside Romeo ). Tara Sharma is cast opposite Vivek Oberoi in the film.

Kites Director: Anurag Basu Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut Post Jodhaa Akbar , Hrithik is really taking it easy and this would be his first release as the main lead (other than an extended special appearance in Luck By Chance ). After proving his credentials with Gangster and Life in a Metro , Anurag Basu is amongst the top league and is directing an intense romantic film. Originally producer Rakesh Roshan was trying to rope in actress Penelope Cruz but finally they zeroed in on Latin actress Barbara Mori for the role. This one promises some terrific chemistry between Hrithik and his female costars.