2015: Bollywood gears up for major releases

New Delhi: From Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious film 'Shamitabh', Ranbir Kapoor's first ever period drama 'Bombay Velvet' to Salman Khan's Eid outing 'Bajrangi Bhaijan' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Fan', the upcoming year will see some major releases at the box-office.

If everything goes as per the plan, Bachchan will have three releases in 2015, starting from 'Shamitabh' in which the megastar has reteamed with 'Paa' director R Balki. The film, to be released on February 6, also stars 'Raanjhanaa' actor Dhanush and will see Kamal Haasan's younger daughter Akshara, making her acting debut.

Veteran actress Rekha is slated to make a guest appearance in the film, however, it is not clear whether she will share the screen space with Bachchan after 'Silsila' in 1981.

Bachchan's 'Piku' is another big release of the coming year. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the film brings Bachchan and actress Deepika Padukone together as father-daughter for the second time on screen after 'Aakarshan'. The movie, extensively shot in Kolkata, has Irrfan as the third lead.

Big B is slated to have his third release in 'Wazir' sometime next year. The Bejoy Nambiar-directed film stars him and Farhan Akhtar. Salman will look to recreate success of 'Bodyguard' with Kareena Kapoor Khan in 'Bajrangi Bhaijan', which is said to be a love story between a Brahmin woman and a Muslim man. Also starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the movie is directed and co-produced by Kabir Khan. It releases on July 16.

The superstar's return to Rajshri Productions after 16 years makes 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' a film to watch out for in November this year. The fresh pairing of Salman and Sonam Kapoor, who is 20 years younger to him, is an interesting feature about it.

Anurag Kashyap's most ambitious project 'Bombay Velvet' is one of the biggest movies of 2015, not only for its budget but also for Ranbir's return in a lead role after his forgettable 'Besharam' in 2013.

The actor was seen in cameo roles lately in 'Bhoothnath Returns' and 'PK'. He has an extended role in 'Roy'. 'Bombay Velvet' is based on historian Gyan Prakash's book 'Mumbai Fables'. Set in Bombay of the 1960s, the film tells the story of a boxer, Johnny Balraj, and an aspiring jazz singer, Rosie, and how their hopes and dreams collide with their individual realities.

It also stars Anushka Sharma, Raveena Tandon, Kay Kay Menon and Siddharth Basu. The film marks full fledged acting debut of filmmaker Karan Johar in the role of an antagonist. It is scheduled for release in May, next year.