Block the new year calendar for these 13 movies

-Rajesh Ahuja

Mumbai: After a lackluster 2017 which saw a dearth of entertaining fare from Bollywood , 2018 will witness a series of thrillers and action dramas hit the silver screen to provide wholesome entertainment to cinegoers.Lined up for release during the year are action dramas and thrillers like 'Mukkabaaz', 'Aiyarry', 'Parmanu-the story of Pokhran', 'Drive', 'Bhavesh Joshi', 'Baaghi 2', 'Saaho', 'Junglee' , 'Thugs of Hindostan' ,'Vodka Diaries ', 'Nirdosh', 'Pari' and 'Hate Story 4' .

The year will start with the release of 'Mukkabaaz', film that deals with the struggle of a low caste youth to make it in the field of Boxing.Written, co-produced and directed by Anurag Kashyap, 'Mukkabaaz stars Vineet Kumar Singh, Zoya Hussain, Ravi Kishan and Jimmy Shergill in key roles.Touted as a romantic melodrama built around the boxing ring, 'Mukkabaaz ' is a gritty tale about a youngster ''s overcoming challenge posed by caste inequality and corruption to make it in the field of boxing.(Pic Twitter)

Even before its release the film has won rave reviews from critics and has made rounds of international festival circuit.The film, scheduled for release in India on January 12, was screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2017 Mumbai Film Festival.

'Mukkabaaz' will be followed by 'Aiyarry', a film based on the corruption happening in Indian Army.Written and Directed by Neeraj Pandey, 'Aiyarry', scheduled for worldwide release on January 26, is the story of Major Jai Bakshi (Siddharth Malhotra), who quits his job in the army after he hears about some terrible happenings in the force. (Pic Twitter)

He quits his job to take revenge on the people who don't deserve Indian Army.The film features Sidharth Malhotra , Manoj Bajpayee Rakul Preet Singh, Pooja Chopra , Adil Hussain, Kumud Mishra, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Vikram Gokhale and Patrick Clarke in key roles.The film's trailers have already evoked a lot of buzz among the cinegoers. The audiences could expect another edge-of-the seat thriller, coming as it does from Neeraj Pandey, who earlier came up with films like 'A Wednesday' and 'Special 26'.

Another forthcoming film that has created a buzz is 'Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran' , based on the nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by the Indian Army at Pokhran in 1998.

Featuring John Abraham , Diana Penty Boman Irani, Pavan Malhotra, Shaad Randhawa, Arjan Bajwa, Divya Dutta, Paras Arora, Mohan Kapoor and Vipin Gul in key roles, 'Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran', directed by Abhishek Sharma and produced by Zee Studio, is scheduled for release on February 23.

After the success of his debut directorial venture 'Dostana', Tarunb Mansukhani will try his hand at an action film 'Drive'.Produced by Karan Johar under his banner of Dharma Productions, 'Drive' stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Jacqueline Fernandez, Vikramjeet Virk and Sapna Pabbi in the lead roles.Scheduled for release on March 2, 'Drive' is the story of an unnamed stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. (Pic Twitter)

After he becomes attracted to a female neighbor whose husband owes some money to a local gangster, he finds himself drawn deeper into a dangerous underworld.Karan Johar has said that 'Drive' will be the first installment of a new film series.

'Bhavesh Joshi' is another much awaited action drama of 2018.The story of a vigilante, 'Bhavesh Joshi', written and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, under the banner of Phantom Films, will feature Harshvardhan Kapoor in the lead role . It will feature Nishikant Kamat and Priyanshu Painyuli in key roles.The film, which is being produced by Phantom films in association with Eros international, will be released on may 25.(Pic Twitter)

The film, which is believed to be the story of a young man’s quest for revenge and the discovery that he is destined for much bigger things, is co-written by Motwane, Anurag Kashyap, and Abhay Koranne.The story explores love, friendship, anger and heroism and its relevance in today's times. The director Vikramaditya Mortwane says that the film has some brilliant action sequences .This will be Harshvardhan Kapoor's second film after his debut in 'Mirzya'.

Also slated for release this year is 'Baaghi 2', the sequel of the 2016 Tiger Shroff Shraddha Kapoor starrer 'Baaghi'.Directed by Ahmed Khan, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banners Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Fox Star Studios, 'Baaghi 2', which is said to boast of several state-of-the art martial arts sequences , features Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani in lead roles.

The film also features Armaan Kohli , Manoj Bajpayee , Randeep Hooda , Prateik Babbar , Vijay Raaz , Aryan Prajapati , Kamlesh Sawant and Manu Rishi in key roles.The film is scheduled to be released worldwide on April 27.

After the super success of 'Baahubali 2', south Indian actor will be seen in the Hindi film 'Saaho' alongside Shraddha Kapoor.

An action thriller written and directed by Sujeeth and produced by UV Creations, 'Saaho' is being shot simultaneously in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.Besides Prabhas and Sharaddha Kapoor, 'Saaho' also features Arun Vijay, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Jackie Shroff and Mandira Bedi in key roles.After the breakhtaking action stunts by Prabhas in 'Baahubali 2', 'Saaho' is also believed to have several 'larger-than-life' action stunts from the star.

After 'Commando 2', Vidyut Jamwal will be seen in the action adventure thriller 'Junglee' this year.Directed by Chuck Rusell, known for Hollywood films like 'The Mask', 'Eraser' and 'The Scorpion King'.'Junglee' promises to show a unique relationship between man and elephants. (Pic Twitter)

Vidyut will play the character of Ashwath, who after his homecoming to an elephant reserve, confronts an international poacher's racket.The film is all set to hit the screens on Dussehra 2018.The actor is believed to have learnt Kalaripayattu for his role in the film.

One of the most awaited action thrillers of the year is 'Thugs of Hindostan'.A period action-adventure film featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with superstar Aamir Khan in the lead role and Fatima Sana Shaikh and Katrina Kaif in key roles, 'Thugs of Hindostan' has been written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and produced by Yashraj films. 

Made At a lavish budget of Rs 210 crore , 'Thugs of Hindostan' is the most expensive Yash Raj Films production till date.The film is based on Philip Meadows Taylor's 1839 novel 'Confessions of a Thug', which is about a gang of Thugs who posed a serious challenge to the British Empire in India (then known as Hindustan or Hindostan) during the early 19th century.The film is believed to feature sea battles similar to ones seen in films such as 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

'Thugs of Hindostan' is set to be released during Diwali on November 7, 2018.It is the first time that Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are collaborating on a film which is what makes it one of the most awaited films of the year. 

2018 will also witness release of murder mystery 'Vodka Diaries'.Set in contemporary Manali, 'Vodka Diaries' revolves around a club called Vodka Diaries, where few murders have happened with ACP Ashwini Dixit in quest to solve them.(Pic Twitter)

Featuring Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen and Mandira Bedi, 'Vodka Diaries' is being directed by Ad film maker Kushal Srivastava under the banner of K'Scope Entertainment Pvt.Ltd. and Vishalraj Films and Production Pvt.Ltd. The film will release on January 19.

Directed by Pradeep Rangwani and Subroto Paul, 'Nirdosh’ stars Arbaaz khan, Manjari Fadnis, Ashmit Patel, Maheck Chahal and Mukul Dev. (Pic Twitter)

After a murder is committed, Shinaya Grover (Manjari Fadnis) gets arrested by the police on the basis of being the primary suspect, but as Inspector Lokhande (Arbaaz khan) carries forward the investigation of the case multiple suspects and possibilities emerge.The trailer of the film was released recently and gave the impression of being a gritty thriller. 

After getting rave reviews for her second film production venture, Anushka Sharma is ready with her third venture “Pari” produced by her production house, Clean Slate Films.Anushka Sharma along with Parambrata Chatterjee will star in the film, co-produced by Clean Slate Films and KriArj Entertainment.

The first look of the film , directed by debutant Prosit Roy, showed Anushka Sharma in a battered and bruised look, giving the film the look of a haunting thriller. 
The film has been slated for release on February 9.

Another much awaited thriller of the year is 'Hate Story 4' , the fourth instalment of the 'Hate Story' series. Directed by Vishal Pandya, the film stars Urvashi Rautela in the lead role. Like the previous films in the Hate Story series, the film is a thriller and will see Urvashi Rautela play a supermodel.(Pic Twitter)

After a dearth of entertaining fare from Bollywood in 2017, the release of these action dramas and thrillers will add to the entertainment quotient in 2018 as these cinematic ventures aim to provide a wholesome entertainment to the audiences .Also, after a poor show at the box office last year, these action dramas and thrillers will ensure that 2018 is a bountiful year for Bollywood filmmakers. (UNI)