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DNA (October 1, 2016)

The decision to do only one film at a time would render Aamir Khan missing-in-action right through 2017. Well, as a lead actor, at least. He will be seen in a cameo in Secret Superstars. The only new Hindi film that he has signed is Thugs of Hindostan and that film is slated to arrive on Diwali 2018. However, most of his contemporaries will have multiple film releases (or one at least) in 2017.

“Let’s talk about the other Khans first,” comments an insider, “Salman Khan has now decided to up the ante when it comes to making films and hence in 2017, he would be arriving with Tubelight on Eid and then on Christmas with Tiger Zinda Hai. On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan would be seen in Raees on Republic Day as well as Imtiaz Ali’s next (rumoured to be titled The Ring), sometime in 2017, the release date is still open.”

While that gives both Salman and SRK a lead of two films each, Akshay Kumar continues to dominate the scene with his multiple releases policy, something that doesn’t change regardless of the box office outcome. “Exactly,” chips in our source, “He already has Jolly LLB 2 on Valentine’s Day release, Crack on Independence Day and Robot 2.0 on Diwali 2017 lined up. In the middle of this all, there would also be a cameo in Toilet — Ek Prem Katha, which would make him dominate theatre screens right through the year.”

Ajay Devgn, too, has two big films — Baadshaho in May and Golmaal Again in Diwali and it would be interesting to see if Sons of Sardaar would aim for a 2017-end arrival or move to 2018. On the other hand, Hrithik Roshan would start the year with Kaabil on Republic Day before bracing up for the shooting of Krrish 4, which would keep him occupied right through the year.

“These are the top six actors that we have in Bollywood today and except for Aamir Khan, everyone has a major release or two lined up,” says a top distributor, adding, “Yes, Aamir Khan would actually be visible in 2017 though, since his Dangal (which releases on December 23) would pretty much dominate the scene till the first fortnight of January 2017, at least. That means he won’t be completely off the screens in the next year after all. Also, he would seen in an extended guest appearance for Secret Superstar where he is apparently playing a music composer. That said, technically, he still doesn’t have a release in 2017.”

Considering the fact that every other major actor is opting to do more films in less time now, it is remarkable to see that Aamir is still following his self-imposed rule and is dedicating himself entirely to one film. In this case, it is going to be only Thugs Of Hindostan though rest assured, his fan won’t quite mind if he sneaks in another quick film — where he also plays the lead role — in these two years.