Top 10 most awaited Bollywood movies in 2017

An article by Abhishek Sharma (tweets @abhu_sharma)

With the Yash Raj Films' mega announcement of Ek Tha Tiger' sequel blocking Christmas 2017, the list of most anticipated movies of next year has become very interesting. There is a plethora of potential blockbusters lined up for 2017. While the actual predictions can only be made once the trailer of the film is out, we have gone ahead with our top ten picks for the year 2017 based on their expected domestic business. Below mentioned are our picks and the reasons for the same:

1. Tiger Zinda Hai (Expected Domestic Business 325 crore plus):

Ek Tha Tiger' smashed all the opening records by almost 40% when it released back in 2012. Now the sequel has been announced by the makers with the same star-cast and the release has been booked as Christmas 2017. While the first part was helmed by Kabir Khan, the sequel will be directed by another YRF talent prodigy Ali Abbas Zafar'. Salman's superstardom, Biggest weekend of the year, Sequel to a Blockbuster, Director of a 300 crore film and Top Production House are the major factors which will ensure a record-breaking opening weekend for the movie. (Indicine Note: From what we've heard since yesterday's announcement, Tiger Zinda Hai is going to be the biggest action film ever made. If Ali Abbas Zafar pulls it off, it's going to shatter records)

2. Tubelight (Expected Domestic Business 300 crore plus):

Kabir Khan is the most sought after director after the humungous success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. His combo with Salman is unbeatable as the duo has given Ek Tha Tiger' and Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. Salman's Eid record is foolproof and his fans await his Eid release every year with bated breath. This is going to be Salman's first release post Sultan after a gap of almost one year. Also, this will be Salman's 8th release after Wanted', Dabangg', Bodyguard', Ek Tha Tiger', Kick', Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and Sultan'. Reason for Tubelight' taking the second spot is pretty straight forward - Kabir Khan is one of the best directors in the industry, but Tubelight is a riskier film than Tiger Zinda Hai'. The title and presence of a Chinese female lead, is interesting, but will it attract that masses?

3. Raees (Expected Domestic Business 225 crore plus):

Raees' is undoubtedly the most awaited Shah Rukh Khan movie in the past few years. Although the movie has been delayed as the teaser was released more than a year back, the eagerness to watch the movie has gone up. The teaser shows SRK in a never-before-seen avatar of a local bootlegger turned underworld Don. The teaser was unanimously appreciated and the movie is expected to rake in good moolah at the domestic box office.

4. Baahubali: The Conclusion (Expected Hindi Domestic Business 225 crore plus):

This is a real big one and it is in number 4 just because our list is based on the Hindi Domestic Box Office business. If we consider the overall business, then it may find its place right at the top. Baahubali: The Beginning' exceeded all expectations and comfortably crossed 100 crore with its Hindi version alone in spite of having strong competition in the form of Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. The Hindi dubbed version is super-hit on Television as well, so the sequel is bound to break the boundaries for the business of South Indian dubbed movies.

5. The Ring (Expected Domestic Business 200 cr plus):

SRK is the King of Romance and when he stars in a hardcore romantic movie, the expectations rise exponentially. Anushka Sharma is having a gala time at the ticket window with two 300 crore grossers. Imtiaz Ali has already tasted success in this genre with lovely films like Jab We Met' and Socha Na Tha'. Pritam's music will be an icing on the cake for this flick tentatively titled as The Ring'.

6. Kaabil (Expected Domestic Business 175 crore plus):

Hrithik Roshan is not having the best of the times at the ticket window but his stardom and talent is unquestionable. The teaser poster of Sanjay Gupta's Kaabil' has raised the expectations of one and all and it is looking like a movie which will bring Hrithik back into serious business. The Roshan trio - Rakesh Roshan (producer), Rajesh Roshan (music director) and Hrithik Roshan (actor) - is going to leave no stones unturned for their home production. The two concerns are Sanjay Gupta's direction (will he deliver?) and will the suicidal clash with Raees' be averted?

7. Golmaal 4 (Expected Hindi Domestic Business 175 crore plus):

Golmaal 4 is the 4th instalment of this super-hit comedy franchise. There has been a dearth of quality comedies in Bollywood and a Rohit Shetty movie can provide the much-needed relief. Both the sequels have been super-successful at the box office with Golmaal 3' becoming just the 3rd movie to enter 100 crore club in 2010.

8. Robot 2.0 (Expected Hindi Domestic Business 150 crore plus):

More like Baahubali', this movie is at No. 7 only because the Hindi Domestic Business is considered while preparing the list. The mega stardom of Rajinikanth in the sequel of a blockbuster will certify that all the existing records of Tamil Film Industry will be broken. The presence of Akshay Kumar as the main villain of the film will ensure huge footfalls for the Hindi version as well. The movie has the potential to be amongst the top worldwide grossers of the year.

9. Padmavati (Expected Domestic Business 150 crore plus):

The trio of Bhansali-Deepika-Ranveer is coming together for the third time after Ram Leela' and Bajirao Mastani'. This time the star cast includes Shahid Kapoor as well. While RamLeela' became a runaway hit, Bajirao Mastani' faced a strong competition in the form of Dilwale' but came out on top in the eventual domestic theatrical run.

10. Crack (Expected Domestic Business 150 crore plus):

Akshay Kumar's following in the multiplexes has seen a tremendous growth thanks mainly to his collaboration with Neeraj Pandey as the duo has delivered movies like Special 26', Baby' and Rustom' (Pandey as producer). They are coming together again for a movie with interesting title Crack'. Nothing much about the movie has been revealed yet but since the movie is helmed by Pandey himself, it is in the much anticipated list.
Few movies which deserve equally to be in the list are: Badrinath Ki Dulhania', Baadshaho' and Jolly LLB 2'.

Few movies which have the potential to spring a pleasant surprise are: Rangoon', Ok Jaanu', Raabta', Jagga Jaasoos', 'Mubarakan' and Half Girlfriend'.

NOTE:

1. Only the domestic theatrical business of the Hindi version has been considered while preparing the list.
2. The expected business figure is given based on the assumption that all the above mentioned movies will get a solo release. A clash will most definitely change the scenario.
3. Few biggies whose release date is not confirmed like Sanjay Dutt biopic' have not been considered. There can be films which are planned and shot in a quick period and have the potential to make it to the list.
4. The expected business figure has been given based on how the movie is looking on the paper. Teaser, Theatrical Trailer and music will have subsequent impact on the expectations. There are bound to be surprises and things can change accordingly. In 2010, the expected top grossers were My Name Is Khan', Kites' and Tees Maar Khan' while the list was actually topped by Dabangg' and Golmaal 3'.