The last year and a half has been challenging for the entertainment industry. Most movies had to skip theatrical release and make it straight to OTT. Profitability has been challenged. However, irrespective of this Sony Pictures Films India has announced that they will be releasing 17 movies.
Last month, Sony Pictures Films India released writer-director Rensil D’Silva’s ‘Dial 100’ that featured Manoj Bajpayee and Neena Gupta. This month, they released Satramm Ramani’s ‘Helmet’ whose screenplay, and dialogues are written by Rohan Shankar. Both films had a world premiere on ZEE5. While ‘Helmet’ marked the directorial debut of Satramm, four new directors will also be launched by the studio this year.
Balwinder Singh Janjua’s (famed screenplay writer of Saand Ki Aankh and Mubarakan) directorial debut, ‘Tera Kya Hoga Lovely’ is the next venture from the production. It stars Ileana D’Cruz and the very talented Randeep Hooda. The movie is a rib-tickling comedy that grapples with India’s unrelenting obsession with fair skin. Set in the backdrop of Haryana, the film chronicles the story of a dusky girl tamed by prejudices and biases held by the Indian society against dark skin. The film is written by Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal and Anil Rodhan.
‘Looop Lapeta’ is directed by maverick ad filmmaker Aakash Bhatia. The movie stars Taapsee Pannu and Tahir Raj Bhasin. This is the official adaptation of the German film ‘Run Lola Run’ and is produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Tanuj Garg, Atul Kasbekar, and Aayush Maheshwari. ‘Looop Lapeta’ is written by Vinay Chhawal, Ketan Pedgaonkar and Aakash Bhatia and it is a very anticipated movie.
Sony Pictures Films India has joined hands with Ram and Amita’s Ram Madhvani Films (RMF) for a thriller ‘Dive’. This movie is written by Renuka Kunzru. As per reports, the movie will put the human spirit on display and celebrate the very tenacity of the human will to survive and overcome, whatever be the odds. Nitin Parmar a well-known ad filmmaker will mark his directorial debut with RMF
‘Saale Aashiq’ is a topical film helmed by debutant Siddharth -Garima who are known for their work as writers and lyricists in blockbusters such as ‘Ram Leela’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’, ‘Padmaavat’, ‘Toilet Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Kabir Singh’. ‘Saale Aashiq’ is a unique take on honour killings and is a romance drama that is young, raw and thrilling.
Among films by seasoned directors is the Sabbir Khan directorial, ‘Nikamma’ an action entertainer with Abhimanyu in the lead along with internet sensation Shirley Setia and Shilpa Shetty in a power-packed performance. ‘Nikamma’ is produced by Sony Pictures Films India and Sabbir Khan Films.
Family entertainer ‘Aankh Micholi’ is directed by master storyteller and director Umesh Shukla and stars Abhimanyu, Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal, Sharman Joshi, Abhishek Banerjee, Vijay Raaz, Divya Dutta, Darshan Jariwala and Grusha Kapoor. ‘Aankh Micholi’ revolves around a family of misfits with a crazily entertaining storyline which will be the perfect outing for families to enjoy together. The film is produced by Sony Pictures Films India and Merry Go Round Studios.
‘Major’ is a film based on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was martyred during the 26/11 attacks. Directed by Shashi Kiran Tikka, the film stars Adivi Sesh in the lead role along with Sobhita Dhulipala, Saiee Manjrekar, Prakash Raj and Revathi. Produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Mahesh Babu’s GMB Entertainment and A+S Movies, the bilingual film has been shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi and will also be released in Malayalam.
Hollywood Releases
Sony Pictures’ Hollywood offerings include one of the biggest films of the year, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighbourhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a Superhero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. The film is directed by Jon Watts and stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and will release worldwide on December 17, 2021.
‘Venom 2- Let There Be Carnage’ in this second offering from the franchise, Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film also stars Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris and Woody Harrelson, in the role of the villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage. ‘Venom 2’ will hit Indian cinemas on October 15, 2021.
‘Don’t Breathe 2’ is a horror thriller directed by Rodo Sayagues and stars Stephen Lang. This is a sequel to the 2016 much-appreciated film, ‘Don’t Breathe’ and was released on September 17, 2021, garnering good numbers at the box office over the first weekend. The sequel is set in the years following the initial deadly home invasion, where Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) lives in quiet solace until his past sins catch up to him.
‘Escape Room 2: Tournament of Champions’ is the sequel to the psychological thriller and box office hit that terrified audiences around the world. In this instalment, six people unwittingly find themselves locked in another series of escape rooms, slowly uncovering what they have in common to survive and discovering they’ve all played the game before. The film is directed by Adam Robitel and stars Taylor Russel, Logan Miller and Deborah Ann Woll.
‘Ghostbusters – Afterlife’ is a supernatural comedy directed by Jason Reitman and stars Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, and Paul Rudd. In ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
‘Uncharted’ is based on one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed video game series of all time. ‘Uncharted’ tells the story of Nathan Drake and his first adventure with rival-turned-partner Victor “Sully” Sullivan. Starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as quick-witted, wise-cracking Sully, ‘Uncharted’ will introduce audiences to how Nathan Drake becomes the treasure hunter, as he unravels one of history’s greatest mysteries and treasures in an action-adventure epic that spans the globe. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the cast includes Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali and Tati Gabrielle.
‘Morbius’ is another much-awaited superhero film directed by Daniel Espinosa. One of Marvel’s most compelling and conflicted characters comes to the big screen as Oscar winner Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero, Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others from suffering the same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. What at first appears to be a radical success, unleashes darkness inside him and transforms this healer into a hunter.
‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ returns to the origins of the massively popular ‘Resident Evil’ franchise as fan and filmmaker Johannes Roberts brings the games to life for a whole new generation of fans. It stars Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah John-Kamen, Avan Jogia, Tom Hopper, Lily Gao, Neal McDonough, and Donal Logue.
‘The Man From Toronto’ is an action comedy directed by Patrick Hughes and stars Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Kaley Cuoco, and Ellen Barkin.
‘Bullet Train’ directed by ‘Atomic Blonde’ and ‘Deadpool 2’ helmer David Leitch is an action thriller with an ensemble cast including Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Joey King.
