For director Siddharth Anand, the beginning of 2023 marked a new journey with the film ‘Pathan,’ featuring Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, and John Abraham.However, the film had to get past a lot of challenges before it could become a big hit. Same results are also expected from fighter.
Reflecting on those times, the filmmaker penned a note on social media.
As the new year draws to a close, I take a moment and look back. The year 2023 that changed everything for me. It started with a lot of nervousness and anxiety. PATHAAN, my film was releasing amidst a sea of forces against it. Something very weird called Boycott Bollywood was the…
— Siddharth Anand (@justSidAnand) December 31, 2023
“As the new year approached, I took a moment to look back. The start of 2023 was filled with anxiety and apprehension. ‘Pathan,’ my film, faced challenges amidst the sea of releases. Forces were against it. The bizarre trend of boycotting Bollywood was prevalent this season. Those who criticized Hindi films were proven wrong. And then came the day, January 25th,” he wrote.
Recounting the release day, he continued, “I remember waking up at 7 AM. After going to bed at 3:30 AM post the cast and crew screening, I woke up in anticipation. The first show had just started. Mamta and I decided to go to our friend Jayu’s house and await public reviews. As we sat on her rooftop, reviews started pouring in. Unanimously declared a blockbuster, I couldn’t sit still. We decided to go to the theater to witness audience reactions.
I watched the first 30 minutes and could sense the pulse of the viewers. It was something else. And then the videos started coming in. People dancing in theaters to the tunes of ‘Pathan.’ History was made. ‘Pathan’ became a time blockbuster in 2023.”
Fighter
He shed light on his work on the film ‘Fighter,’ stating, “Something else happened in 2023. Mamta and I started our film company MARFLIX with #Fighter. A really ambitious film in many aspects. It’s not just another film for us; we’ve given it our all.”
Acknowledging the persisting worries and anxieties, he mentioned that with ‘Fighter’ being one of the biggest aerial action films of 2024, he hopes fans will shower it with the same love they gave ‘Pathan.’ He concluded with well-wishes for the upcoming year.
#FighterBTS #Fighter #FighterOn25thJan 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/26AABAjUR5
— Siddharth Anand (@justSidAnand) December 30, 2023
Looking ahead to 2024 in Bollywood, after two years of struggles during the pandemic, the Hindi film industry made a strong comeback in 2023. Shah Rukh Khan delivered two major blockbusters, ‘Jawaan’ and ‘Pathan,’ bringing life back to theaters. Sunny Deol’s ‘Gadar 2’ and Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’ also made a mark in the record books.
The cinematic landscape of 2024 seems promising with a lineup of highly anticipated Hindi films. Some of the notable releases include:
Yoddha: Directed by Siddharth Anand, this film brings together two charismatic stars of Hindi cinema, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Set against the backdrop of Indian Air Force pilots, their on-screen chemistry is evident not only in the recently released teaser but also in the high-energy songs of the film. ‘Yoddha’ is scheduled for release on January 25, 2024, just a day before Republic Day.
Main Atal Hoon : Pankaj Tripathi, known for his ability to portray diverse characters, is set to play the challenging role of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this biopic. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ravi Jadhav, the film is slated for theatrical release on January 19, 2024.
Emergency: Kangana Ranaut is set to bring the extraordinary life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the big screen in ‘Emergency.’ The film, based on the events of the 1975 Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, is directed and produced by Kangana herself. While the exact release date is yet to be disclosed, Kangana has confirmed that the film will hit screens in 2024.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Kartik Aaryan is expected to continue his successful run in 2024 with the much-anticipated ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.’ As the third installment of the popular franchise, the film promises to explore a supernatural dimension, as hinted in the teaser. The producers have announced that the film will be released on Diwali in 2024.
In conclusion, a fantastic cinematic experience is anticipated for viewers in 2024 thanks to the varied and interesting selection of films that the Hindi film industry is poised to provide.
Merry Christmas: After a hiatus of six years, acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan returns to the director’s chair with ‘Christmas Wishes.’ The romantic thriller, starring Kartik Aaryan and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, has garnered praise from critics based on its trailer.The film is set to premiere on January 12, 2024, as per the current plan.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Kartik Aaryan is expected to continue his successful run in 2024 with the much-anticipated ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.’ As the third installment of the popular franchise, the film promises to explore a supernatural dimension, as hinted in the teaser. The producers have announced that the film will be released on Diwali in 2024.
In conclusion, a fantastic cinematic experience is anticipated for viewers in 2024 thanks to the varied and interesting selection of films that the Hindi film industry is poised to provide.