2013 proved to be a mixed bag for Bollywood films overall. It seems stars, producers and the like were more interested in box office numbers, than script, screenplay and content, which is a real shame, but understandably products have to be commercially viable to keep things rolling, and cover the huge amounts of money pumped into production.

Our list last year, was, more or less spot on – almost all of the films mentioned in that list went on to strike box office gold, so we decided to do the same this year and compile a list of the films, that we think will whet movie goers appetites when they hit the marquee – whether they sizzle or fizzle remains to be seen, but for now they definitely have the moolah, the star cast and the credentials to make some noise even if only initially.

In the second part of this four part series we take a closer look at the films releasing between April and June 2014 and decide which ones will get audiences bums on seats and into theatres. Do you agree with the films listed here?

Main Tera Hero

Release date: 4 April 2014
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Nargis Fakhri, Ileana D'Cruz
Director: David Dhawan
Producer: Ekta Kapoor
Music: Sajid Wajid

I like Varun Dhawan. I’ve said it earlier and I still stand by it – irrespective of the fact that I thought Sidharth Malhotra was extremely endearing in Hasee Toh Phasee, it’s Varun Dhawan that has more of a star quality about him. Both debutants were quite raw in Student of The Year, but it seems since then, Varun (probably under the watchful eye of papa Dhawan), has polished up his acting skills a great deal, especially if the film’s theatrical trailer is anything to go by. 

In Main Tera Hero, Varun looks like he's having a blast playing to the gallery as a mischievous brat, Seenu who takes both Nargis and Ileana’s characters for a royal ride. The actresses pale in front of Varun’s charisma, but that was probably intentional to ensure that the spotlight remains firmly on Varun and his character.

It seems for the major part of the film Varun’s inspired by Salman and has adapted a style similar to the latter's in David Dhawan previous hit films. If that’s intentional it seems to have worked rather well.

Both the trailer and the songs of the film are likeable, and I think Main Tera Hero, may just turn out to be the first proper bonafide hit of 2014. 

Theatrical Trailer: Main Tera Hero

2 States

Release date: 18 April 2014
Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amrita Singh, Revathy, Ronit Roy
Director: Abhishek Varman
Producer: Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Both Alia and Arjun are high on the success of Highway and Gunday respectively, but I think it’s this film that they’re most likely to be banking on to consolidate their position in B-Town. The initial trailer of the film was launched recently and surpassed several million hits in just a couple of days, and I can totally see why.

The film, based on a novel of the same name by Chetan Bhagat, is the story of a couple, Krish Malhotra (Arjun) and Ananya Swaminathan (Alia), who fall in love but their prospective backgrounds (Krish is Punjabi and Ananya is Tamil Brahmin), prove to be roadblock especially after their parents meet each other, leading to an inevitable clash of cultures and differences.

I loved the trailer of the film. It has a freshness about it, and I’ve become a die hard fan of Alia’s especially after her show stopping turn as Vera in Imtiaz Ali’s grossly underrated Highway. The chemistry between her and Arjun is quite happening, and besides them, I’m also looking forward to seeing Amrita Singh and Revathy after eons as bickering in laws.

Hopefully debutant Abhishek Varman nails this one and come mid April, the film lives up to the promise generated by its trailer.

Theatrical Trailer: 2 States

Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty

Release date: 6 June 2014
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Govinda
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Producer: Vipul Shah
Music: Pritam

Surprisingly, A.R.Murugadoss hasn’t directed any Hindi film, despite the blockbuster success of Ghajini which released more than five years ago.

He returns to the Hindi film circuit after a hiatus with a remake of his own film, a Tamil blockbuster Thupakki, which stars Akshay Kumar as a man of war and Sonakshi Sinha who seemingly has a lot more to do in the film than her usual 'gharelu', coy act which seems to have lost its novelty rather quickly.

Holiday also stars Govinda in a supporting part and it will be interesting to see what he has to do in this — a film quite obviously revolving around Akshay’s character.

My expectations from Holiday, from its early trailer at least, are very low, but it has the potential to set cash registers ringing as it seems to cater for the front benchers and single screens and promises full on masala entertainment if nothing else.

Theatrical Trailer: Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty

Humshakals

Release date: 20 June 2014
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Esha Gupta, Tamaanah Bhatia
Director: Sajid Khan
Producer: Vashu Bhagnani
Music: Himesh Reshammiya

I shudder at the very prospect of watching this film. Why someone as classy as Saif signed on a film helmed by Sajid Khan featuring him in a triple role remains a mystery. That’s not even the half of it. Apparently, even Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor are set to play triple roles too, which then begs the question, as to what leading ladies Bipasha, Esha and Tamaanah will have to do in the film. My guess is not much.

The film is a comedy revolving around mistaken identities, and may sail through at the box office (hopefully Sajid Khan learnt a lesson post the disaster that was Himmatwala), but I'm seriously dubious about this film. My initial thoughts are that it’s going to be an insufferable headache parading as a comedy but I HOPE that I’m proven wrong when it hits the marquee this June.

Theatrical Trailer: Humshakals

Ek Villain

Release date: 27 June 2014
Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh, Shraddha Kapoor
Director: Mohit Suri
Producer: Ekta Kapoor
Music: Pritam, Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari

Mohit Suri seems to revel in exploring troubled characters with shades of grey and he seems to be doing the same this time too. In Ek Villain, Sidharth Malhotra gets to explore his dark side and plays a damaged character who falls in love with Shraddha’s character.

Shraddha’s back in familiar terrain (Aashiqui 2 was directed by Mohit), but I’m curious to see how Riteish will pull off playing an antagonist, given that he’s mainly only played comic roles or the hero's sidekick until now.

Ek Villain may prove to be the dark horse this summer — Sidharth showed a lot of promise in Hasee Toh Phasee, and I think him and Shraddha as an on screen couple will make for enough eye candy and make the film nice to look at if nothing else.

Ek Villain hits theatres at the fag end of June.

Teaser Trailer: Ek Villain

So there you have it. The five films that are likely to make a splash in the second quarter of 2014. Do you agree with our list?

Watch out for the third part in this series, coming your way very soon!

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