The audience is waiting to watch how new entrants John Abraham and Deepika Padukone enter Saif’s life and make it all the more exciting.

Music had played a major role in Race and the same is expected in the sequel as well. Upon its release, Race was the biggest money-spinner Saif had enjoyed ever enjoyed. The film’s sequel promises to top that and bring him into the 100-crore club.

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (January): Unusual, that’s the way to describe Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, which has been in the news ever since it was first announced with Ajay Devgn before the actor decided to step aside. With Imran Khan coming in his place, one looks forward to what the team ends delivering, especially with Anushka Sharma and Pankaj Kapur.

The film could go either way. It could turn into a cult or fall flat, as was the case with 7 Khoon Maaf. However, it would not be ignored. With this being the first major release at theatres after Dabangg 2, the answer would be out soon.

Special 26 (February): Fantastic — That’s what the film looks like ever since its promo was unveiled soon after the release of Khiladi 786. With an altogether different texture, structure and medium when compared to Akshay Kumar’s films over the years, Special 26 is sounds like a big promise waiting to be fulfilled.

What makes this film all the more interesting is the fact that it bears the mark of director Neeraj Pandey more than an actor or a superstar driving the whole affair. One can see that the filmmaker is in great form and after A Wednesday, he has been itching to tell a tale. That should make this film ‘special’ indeed.

Himmatwala (March): Ajay Devgn and Sajid Khan, both are on a roll and have proven their credentials over the years. With the duo coming together for the first time, it is expected that Himmatwala would be a baap of all entertainers. While the remake factor further tilts balance in its favor, the very fact that the film is expected to be a ‘holds-no-bar’ unabashed affair should make it all the more interesting.

Sajid Khan has declared that he won’t deliver a flop at the box office and that should be music to Ajay’s ears who would then be looking at a hat-trick of successful films after Son of Sardaar and Bol Bachchan.

Moreover, the industry is waiting with bated breath to see how Tamannaah Bhatia fits in the rather big shoes of Sridevi from the original Himmatwala.

Ek Thi Daayan (April): With a past record of frequently releasing films, an Emraan Hashmi-starrer releasing in April seems like too long a wait. Nevertheless, the actor who has gathered a superstar status, is finding himself in unusual space with Ek Thi Daayan, a film that has three leading ladies around him.

With Ekta Kapoor backing the film, it is expected that the marketing plan would take a unique preposition. Moreover the subject is such that it plays well within Emraan’s zone. With a horror element and music playing a major role, Ek Thi Daayan promises to be a thrilling-slash-horrifying entertainer in the offering.

Shootout At Wadala (May): May is expected to be an Ekta Kapoor month with her bringing a major multi-starrer, Shootout at Wadala in the same month as well. The film is special due to Sanjay Gupta making a comeback as director six years after Zinda. Secondly, it belongs to the Shootout franchise that has a huge recall value.

The buzz in town is that while John Abraham has given the performance of a lifetime as a gangster, Anil Kapoor has a meaty role. Since Sanjay is known for presenting his men in a manner that only he can, expect a stylized affair that would bring just the right dose of action, drama and thrills.

Aashiqui 2 (May): Even for their thriller and horror affairs, Bhatts get it absolutely right when it comes to music of their films. Hence, as Aashiqui 2 is all set to arrive, one is all the more excited to know what do they along with Mohit Suri have to offer.

Since this time around we are talking about nothing less than Aashiqui, a musical that started it all for Bhatts more than 20 years ago, one expects a rollicking outing. They are the original star makers and even though neither Aditya Roy Kapur nor Shraddha Sharma has been hugely popular so far, Aashiqui 2 should be a game changer for them.

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (May): Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone coming together on screen after their very public break-up, now that could well be a reason big enough to check out what Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani has to offer. Moreover, with Karan Johar backing the film, it becomes all the more exciting.

According to the producer and his actors, in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, director Ayan Mukerji has made a full on commercial film. Considering the fact that his first and only release, Wake Up Sid, was a middle of the road film and still managed to reach out to a good range of audience, one could be fairly excited to check out what he does with a much larger setup like this.

Ghanchakkar (June): They couldn’t really go all the way in The Dirty Picture due to the nature of their characterization. However, Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan are expected to do something out of the world with Ghanchakkar that not only boasts of a very catchy title but also promises a fun outing.

What adds to this is the fact that the man behind the camera is Raj Kumar Gupta who has changed genres at a feverish pace with first Aamir (thriller) and then No One Killed Jessica (drama). With him trying his hands at comedy, Ghanchakkar becomes all the more exciting, more so since it would also be Vidya’s first film after being married.

Boss (June): Akshay Kumar is on a roll and masala films are the flavor of the season. With Boss being a remake of a popular South Indian film, one looks forward to how filmmaker Anthony D’Souza reinvents himself. His Blue was technologically rich but couldn’t go all the way when it came to winning the audiences’ hearts. Now with Boss, he is making a huge comeback and all eyes would be on him to deliver the goods.

As for Akshay, he trusts his director to deliver the goods and with the desi setup that Boss boasts, it is expected to reach out to the heartlands of India. The film promises to be a huge action entertainer and once its first look is revealed, one would get a better idea about what it has in store.

Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (June): The ‘mad’ trio of Deols is back with Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. On it’s release a couple of years ago, Yamla Pagla Deewana had turned out to be a huge surprise at the box office. Not only had it found its way into the audiences’ hearts, it had also made some good moolah at the box office while giving a new lease of life to the career of Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.

With the film’s sequel the excitement is built up as it has Sangeeth Sivan (Apna Sapna Money Money, Kya Kool Hain Hum) managing the helm of affairs. The man certainly knows about integrating comedy with action and the film is touted to be bigger than the previous version.

Chennai Express (Second half of 2013): Though there is no release date set for Chennai Express, early indicators suggest it would release in the second half of 2013. The film is expected to be big and that should help Shah Rukh Khan make his way into the masses, and that too in a very big manner. Considering that Rohit Shetty is at the helm of affairs, there is no reason why it should not be possible.

The film is extremely important for Shah Rukh Khan and early reports suggest that this one with Deepika Padukone in the lead is a rollicking entertainer in the offering. For his millions of fans worldwide, Chennai Express would be the most hyped film on its release.

Gunday (Second half of 2013): Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar made a good start with Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. However, after handling a musical romantic comedy, he has now moved into a drastically different territory with the dramatic action flick Gunday. A rustic outing set in Kolkata, it also brings together peers and rivals Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, which should be good enough to expect a volatile face-off.

The very title of the film attracts your attention and since the film promises to offer masala, though in a format different from quintessential South Indian remakes, there is immense craze to check out Gunday. The film has already gone on floors and would be releasing in the second half of 2013.

Ungli (Second half of 2013): Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi and Randeep Hooda — With a combination as unique as this, one doesn’t quite know which way would Ungli turn. What one can assume looking at the title is that it would be a quirky flick. Filmmaker Rensil D’Silva had gone serious with his debut directorial outing Kurbaan but for Ungli, the word in town is that he has real fun in store for the audience.

Moreover, with Karan Johar backing the film, Ungli is turning out to be a rather uncharacteristic addition to his repertoire. Since he has also roped in Kangana Ranaut, Neha Dhupia and Arunoday Singh for the film, there is a fair chance of something unpredictable unfolding on the screens.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (July): The name Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra spells quality. Though he may have gone a tad haywire in Delhi 6, the fact cannot be denied that he comes with certain sensibilities that define his self. That is fairly apparent in the teaser of Bhaag Mikha Bhaag, which is already on air.

With Farhan Akhtar fitting well in the character of real life legend Mikha Singh, half the job is already done for the film. Moreover, it is also quite visible that Mehra has his eyes on commercial viability of the film and hence has incorporated ample episodes in it that would make it a complete outing.

Salman’s film with Sohail Khan (August): What’s the name of the movie? What is it about? Which genre does it belong to? Is there a script on paper yet? Who would be the leading lady on the film? None of these questions really matter for a Salman Khan-starrer, especially today, when he is at such a high that only a select few have enjoyed in the past.

All that is known for now is that he would be the leading man in a film to be directed by Sohail Khan. It is also known that the film would release on Eid. This combination is currently good enough for a film to stay in the news and allow for a massive hype build up for itself. As for answers, they could well turn out to be incidental.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 (August): As with Race 2, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 is also the most anticipated film of Akshay Kumar in 2013. The recall value of the Ajay Devgn-Emraan Hashmi is fairly strong and now that Milan Luthria has promised a true sequel, the expectations are only soaring with every passing month.

While Akshay is all set for the part of Dawood Ibrahim, there are young entrants like Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha bringing a different spark to this dramatic tale.

Besharam (October): After notably strong performance-oriented roles (Barfi!, Rockstar), Ranbir Kapoor is in the mood of some fun. He starts the year with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and then ends it with Besharam. The first poster of the film that has Ranbir appearing at his tapori best has already been good enough to show the feel and essence of Besharam.

With Abhinav Kashyap at the director’s seat, years after Dabangg, he steps into an altogether different territory with Besharam. Considering his sensibilities where he is expected to back fun element and commercial ingredients with some interesting content, Besharam is all set to be a maha-entertainer on it’s release around Gandhi Jayanti.

Krrish 3 (November): Years in the making and expected to be nothing less than a blockbuster for the baap-beta jodi of Roshans, Krrish 3 carries only one burden —expectations. The film took its time to go on floors and it has been a while since the shooting began. However, now that Roshans have declared a Diwali arrival, the countdown has begun.

First and foremost, one waits to see the kind of technological advancements that this Hrithik Roshan-starrer has in store as compared to its earlier installments. Secondly, and more importantly, one expects a high quotient dramatic offering from Rakesh Roshan, something that he excels in. This one could well be huge all over.

Dhoom 3 (December): If Krrish 3 is a full meal then in comparison, Dhoom 3 should be lavish dessert to top off the year, waiting to be savored. Frankly, if there was a popcorn outing that made the audience want more, it had to be the Dhoom franchise. With Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif joining the show along with Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra, the film gets the kind of edge that not many other outings can boast of.

As the film releases on Christmas, you can expect Yash Raj Films to keep the momentum going for this high-adrenaline outing expected to set new records and take Bollywood fairly close to what only Hollywood flicks have boasted of.

Apart from what has already been outlined above, there are others namely — Phata Poster Nikla Hero, Satyagraha, Murder 3, David, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Madras Cafe, Raanjhnaa, Kai Po Che and Nautanki Saala.

More popcorn and soda please!