HAPPY NEW YEAR: With Shah Rukh Khan in the lead and Farah Khan as the director, this is undoubtedly my most awaited film! Whenever the duo has come together, they have created magic and here’s hoping that they are third time lucky as well. Moreover, they also have Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah and Boman Irani for company.

PK: The second highly and keenly awaited film after Happy New Year! After all, it has the successful actor-director jodi of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani who gave us 3 Idiots, one of the greatest films ever! Moreover, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput too features in this film that promises to entertain and enlighten, in Hirani style!

HASEE TOH PHASEE: Parineeti Chopra always manages to get a smile on my face and I am hoping the same happens with Hasee Toh Phasee as well, in which she has an absolutely ‘cuking frazy’ avatar. Sidharth Malhotra forms a great pair with her and if the film turns out to be as good as or better than its promo, then nothing like it. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv5MG0LhaP4

HIGHWAY: The name ‘Imtiaz Ali’ is enough to attract one to this film! Moreover, it has the lovely Alia Bhatt paired with the rugged Randeep Hooda – a pairing which looks odd but should work. The trailer was amazing and loved the low-budget feel given to the film. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66nNnGZ5Rg

HUMSHAKALS: This might shock many but I feel Sajid Khan is one of the best directors we have today! His only drawback was his overconfidence. Hopefully, he leaves this bad side of him in 2013 (especially after the debacle of Himmatwala which he expected to be one of the top 3 hits of 2013!) and brings in the New Year with Humshakals. Sajid is a pro when it comes to comedy of errors and loved the way he made Housefull 2 with ease, despite having so many characters and all the scope for confusion. Hence, he can be expected to shine with Humshakals, which has Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor, all 3 in triple role! This should be fun!

2 STATES: I consider it as the best book of Chetan Bhagat and hence, the excitement for its film adaptation is naturally there. Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt didn’t really seemed to be the ideal choice but from the stills, both seemed to have done a great job. If made well, this could be one of the most entertaining films of 2014!

GULAAB GANG: The first look of the film was enough to create excitement. After all, it has Madhuri Dixit in a never before seen avatar. Expecting a hard-hitting and exhilarating drama and an award-winning performance from the actress!

BEWAKOOFIAN: This is Ayushmann Khurrana’s first venture with Yash Raj Films and it also stars Sonam Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge director Nupur Asthana has directed this film and is about a couple facing issues thanks to recession. It is expected to have a realistic feel and of course, it should be entertaining and hopefully, has a song sung by Ayushmann as well!

DAAWAT E ISHQ: Director Habib Faisal killed it with Ishaqzaade and hence, there’s excitement for his next, Daawat-E-Ishq, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Parineeti Chopra. Another highlight of the film is Sajid-Wajid’s music.

PETER GAYA KAAM SE: A film ready since a long time, it stars Rajeev Khandelwal and newcomer Lekha Washington. From the trailers, it seems like a riveting thriller and neat small film, something that UTV banner is known for. Have been mentioning this film every year in my ‘most awaited films’ list…hope next year, I don’t have to do so! Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zig5oim0SXU

BANG BANG: It’s the film that’s responsible for Hrithik Roshan’s brain injury. Nevertheless, it is expected to be an exciting high-octane action thriller (it’s an official remake of Knight & Day) and Hrithik’s pairing with Katrina Kaif can be worth a watch.

BOBBY JASOOS: It has Vidya Balan in a detective avatar. Enough reasons to watch this film, even though, god forbid, its trailers and songs turn out to be disastrous and the film carries negative buzz!

BOMBAY VELVET: Anurag Kashyap teams up with Ranbir Kapoor for this big budget and visually appealing flick, Bombay Velvet. More than being excited for Kashyap’s direction or Ranbir-Anushka Sharma pairing, I am all the more curious to see how the 60s Bombay have been depicted. Till date, none of the film has come up with the best portrayal of the city and I hope Bombay Velvet does that.

CITYLIGHTS: The best actor-director collaborative work in 2013 was that of Hansal Mehta-Raj Kumar Yadav (he’s now called Rajkummar Rao, btw) in Shahid. The two have joined hands once again for Citylights, produced by the Bhatts. It is expected to be a gripping realistic fare and something I am very curious about!

UNGLI: Emraan Hashmi collaborates with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for Rensil Dsilva’s Ungli that also stars Sanjay Dutt, Randeep Hooda, Neha Dhupia, Kangana Ranaut and Arunoday Singh. The film is complete and is waiting for the right release period. Hopefully, they’ll find it soon.

DETECTIVE BYOMKESH BAKSHY: Byomkesh Bakshi is a legendary fictional detective and his film is keenly awaited for more reasons than one. It’s Dibakar Banerjee’s first film with Yash Raj Films. Secondly, it has Sushant Singh Rajput as the sleuth. Definitely a challenging role for the actor! Thirdly, it promises to show Calcutta of the 40s in all its glory which should make for a delightful watch!

ANWAR KA AJAB KISSA: This is another detective film of the year that is not being much talked about. It stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a lead role and is directed by acclaimed director Buddhadeb Dasgupta.

FINDING FANNY: Director Homi Adajania made a smashing debut with Being Cyrus. He then shocked as he changed gears with Cocktail. But now he’s back in his original space with Finding Fanny, an English-Konkani film starring Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah and Ranveer Singh, in a guest appearance. This seems to be a novel effort and hence, worth a wait!

TOTAL SIYAPAA: The theatrical trailer of the film was hilarious and hoping that the film turns out to be as good or even better. It’s also praiseworthy how Ali Zafar manages to entertain effortlessly! Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iCj4qDGNu4

HAPPY ENDING: After watching 99, Shor In The City and Go Goa Gone (my most favourite film of 2013!), Krishna DK-Raj Nidimoru are now my favourite directors. And hence, Happy Ending is a film I am really looking forward. It stars Saif Ali Khan and Ileana DCruz and also features Govinda and Preity Zinta in supporting roles.

PHANTOM: The working stills of the film that were released more than a month back have aroused lot of curiosity. It stars Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, directed by Kabir Khan and based on S Hussain Zaidi’s unpublished novel.

HAMARI ADHURI KAHAANI: The much-loved pair, Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan gets back with Hamari Adhuri Kahaani, that also stars Rajkummar Rao. It is directed by Mohit Suri and is the first film of Vidya with the Bhatts.

QUEEN: I find Kangana Ranaut irresistible and very cute and she seemed to be at her best in Queen! Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGC6vl3lzf0

SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS: The Pyaar Ke Side Effects director, Saket Chaudhary, returns with another laugh riot in the form of Shaadi Ke Side Effects. Farhan Akhtar-Vidya Balan seemed to be in a great form and it should be fun to see their chemistry. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu18_rNpTA0

UGLY: This Anurag Kashyap-directed film was all set to release in October 2013. But it got postponed indefinitely after Kashyap refused to insert ‘smoking kills’ ticker in the film (and rightly so). The matter is now subjudice and hopefully, a solution will be found soon and that the film will release in 2014. The trailer of the film was terrific and aroused lot of curiosity. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ougQY2-zpk

Hope you like my list! Any comments, appreciation, criticism…feel free to post in the comments section!