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KARACHI: Last year proved to be a good year for film at large. While some of us might still be recovering from Thanos wiping out half of the humanity (Spider-Man, I hope you’re in a better place now), others were overwhelmed by the diversity offered through cinema during 2018.
But now that the New Year has dawned upon us, it’s time to look ahead. Soon enough, 2019 will be presenting a plethora of much-awaited and much talked-about new films that we must be on the lookout for. Here are our picks for 19 Lollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood releases we’re anxiously waiting for in 2019.
1. ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’
SCREENGRABBilal Lashari’s multi-starrer The Legend of Maula Jatt tops our list of the most awaited film this year. If it is half as good as the trailers then suffice it to say that the Pakistani film industry is definitely going to outdo itself with this one. With stellar graphics, cinematography and editing, the Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Humaima Malick-starrer looks promising to say the least. Can’t wait for Eidul Fitr!
2. ‘Baaji’
PHOTO: PUBLICITYThe Legend of Maula Jatt isn’t the only upcoming Pakistani release with a star-studded cast. Veteran star Meera is making a comeback with the Saqib Malik-directorial Baaji. And what’s more, the cast includes Osman Khalid Butt, Amna Ilyas, Ali Kazmi, Mohsin Abbas Haider and some others in titular roles. Malik had confirmed the film isn’t a biopic on Meera but it surely revolves around her.
‘Laal Kabootar’
We have never seen anything like this! Mansha Pasha and Ahmed Ali Akbar are looking fierce in the teaser for Kamal Khan’s Laal Kabootar and making us want more! Based in Karachi, the film promises to depict the metropolis in all its raw glory.
‘Paray Hut Love’
PHOTO: FILEAsim Raza is making a big comeback with Sheheryar Munawar and Maya Ali in Paray Hut Love. The Ho Mann Jahaan director announced Mahira to be the leading lady of the upcoming film. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Raees starlet was replaced by Ali. But rumour has it that the famed Humsafar duo Fawad and Mahira will be doing cameos in the film.
‘Superstar’
PHOTO: FILEMahira will apparently be working on another film with the Janaan star Bilal Ashraf. While not much has been revealed about the film yet, reports suggest that it will indeed be released this year and we’re excited to see the chemistry of the duo onscreen.
‘Captain Marvel’
PHOTO: FILEMarvel fans are probably still recovering from the ending of last year’s Avengers: Infinity War. However, while the world deliberates on whether the disintegrated Avengers will come back or not, another comic book film is on its way! The strongest Avenger, Captain Marvel is all set to make her first appearance in the Marvel universe on March 8 with Brie Larson playing the titular role. Talk about girl power!
‘Avengers: End Game’
PHOTO: MARVEL STUDIOSArguably the most highly-anticipated film of 2019 is the last installment of the Avengers franchise, Avengers: End Game. The film picks up from where Infinity War left off and is slated to hit the screens across the world in April this year.
‘The Lion King’
SCREENGRABThe 1994 animated masterpiece is coming back in 3D and we’ve got the tissues ready! With a star-studded cast, The Lion King live action film will certainly be one blast from the past that we will not be able to get over for a long, long time.
‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’
PHOTO: IMDBYou know there’s some epic cinema in the making when you combine Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Pacino in one film. Set in 1969, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood tells the story of two actors who are struggling to make it big in the film industry.
‘The Irishman’
PHOTO: FILEMartin Scorsese is returning to the director’s chair with perhaps one of the biggest films Hollywood has ever seen. The Irishman stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. It is a biographical crime drama written by Steven Zaillian, based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. De Niro stars as Frank Sheeran, a labor union leader and alleged hit man for the Bufalino crime family, while Pacino plays Jimmy Hoffa.
‘Aladdin’
PHOTO: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLYLive action films seem to be all the rage nowadays. This new version of Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie, promises a "bigger and brighter" take on this classic. We will see Will Smith as the Genie, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine and Mena Massoud as Aladdin. The film has a May 24, 2019 release date in the United States and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios and Motion Pictures.
‘Spiderman: Far from Home’
PHOTO: MARVELWe already knew that Far From Home would release soon after Endgame and that’s proof Spidey will be resurrected! But apparently, Spider-Man will now be famous, likely after something that happens in the upcoming Avengers film.
‘The Joker’
PHOTO: DCNow, this we have our eyes peeled for! Joaquin Phoenix is all set to take on the coveted role of the Joker. While the first look of the film looks incredible, the audience is yet to see if Phoenix will be able to nail playing Gotham’s favourite villain or actually, if he will be able to live up to the late Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the DC baddie.
‘Brahmastra’
PHOTO: FILESeen together onscreen for the first time, real life couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are the key selling point of Ayan Mukerji’s upcoming directorial Brahmastra. The film is currently under production and also stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role. Talk about bringing three powerhouses performers together!
‘Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi’
PHOTO: FILEAfter Simran, Kangana Ranaut will be making a comeback as the warrior queen in Rani Laxmi Bai’s in this biopic. And from the looks of it, she seems to have nailed portraying the fierce 18th century queen. We did get some strong Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat vibes from the trailer but oh well, can’t complain!
‘Bharat’
PHOTO: FILESalman Khan and Katrina Kaif will reunite for the 11th time for film-maker Ali Abbas Zafar’s upcoming project Bharat. We already know that the superstar duo shares a sizzling chemistry on and off-screen and that is always a recipe for success.
‘Kalank’
PHOTO: FILEMadhuri Dixit. Enough said. The living legend is gracing up with her presence once again in Abhishek Varma’s Kalank – an upcoming Hindi-language period drama produced by Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala and Fox Star Studios. It also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Kunal Khemu, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles.
‘Gully Boy’
PHOTO: FILEAfter making it big with Padmaavat and Simmba last year, Ranveer Singh is all set to make our hearts race again with Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy. The film recounts the journey of an underground rapper in Mumbai and also has Alia and Kalki Koechlin amongst its cast. Another powerhouse trio, ladies and gentleman!
‘Mental Hai Kya’
PHOTO: FILEApart from Manikarnika, Kangana will be seen in the relatively light-hearted Mental Hai Kya opposite rising star Rajkumar Rao. The actors will star together for the first time, letting loose and showing their wacky side. The film releases on March 29 and we’re looking forward to taking this mad ride with Kangana.
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