It’s the Jewish New Year, and the calendar New Year is coming in a couple months. What do we want from 2020 in Indian film?
Ready for my list?
Shahrukh Announces a New Project
It’s been too long! I want to know what he is doing next, and most of all that he is actually doing SOMETHING next and hasn’t chosen to simply stop performing.
Shahrukh’s Letterman Special Releases
It’s also been far too long since there was an in depth new interview with him, and this looks like it will be more than just an interview, with sequences in his home in India as well.
Less important wishes:
Anil Kapoor Plays Another Silver Fox
He only has a few years left of peak 60-something hotness! We need as much as we can get.
Harsh Kapoor Plays Anything at All
His most recent project seems to have stalled, and I feel denied male beauty on my screen.
Moothon Releases
Speaking of male beauty, where is the gritty Nivin gangster epic that has been promised to us for over a year?
Any Gautham Menon Film Releases
The Dhanush one that is finished, the Vikram one that isn’t done yet, ANYTHING!
Dharma and YRF Jump to Netflix from Prime
Dharma is already making moves in that direction, I really hope they can both break their contracts and move their content. The Netflix platform is just so much better.
Katrina Kaif Finds personal and/or Professional Success
I wanted her to marry Prince Harry, but now that isn’t going to happen (probably) so I need her to find someone just as good and rub it in everyone’s faces. Or alternatively, stretch her wings artistically and finally be seen as more than a pretty face.
Stree 2 Starts Filming/Releases
I hate cliffhanger endings! Just film the sequel already so we can find out what was really going on with Shraddha.
’83 Releases
I have no interest in the movie, I am just sick of the overly excited coverage of the filming. Release it and get it over with.
Sadak 2 Releases
I’m nervous that Alia’s filming delays are gonna mess with this movie and I really really want it. Mahesh returning to directing, Pooja returning to acting, ARK finally having a decent role, there are so many reasons this film needs to happen!
Sara Ali Khan Has More Movies
I hate this waiting period, she had two really good releases but now has to film all her follow ups if she wants to confirm her crown. Get those movies out there ASAP! I want to see them!
Prabhas Announces His Next Movie
Huh, Prabhas and Shahrukh, both at loose ends right now. Possible they could work on something together?
Okay, those are my wishes for 2020/5780! What do you want to happen? Or, alternatively, which of my wishes do you agree with?
(also, things I DON’T care about at all: Brahmastra releases, Janvhi Kapoor has another movie, anything related to streaming serieses which aren’t Made in Heaven, anything related to Ranbir Kapoor. Anything related to babies or pregnancies beyond Ranbir Kapoor taking paternity leave. Feel free to share your DON’T CARE options along with what you want to happen)
dontcallitbollywood 
It’s completely painful waiting for Shahrukh to announce a project. He has every right to wait for the thing that sets his heart on fire…I just hope it happens soon! I’ll keep myself happy with rewatching my favorites but I am waiting on pins and needles.
I wish Ranbir would take his odd face and disappear. That reads as pretty mean; I can just choose to avoid him.
Yes yes yes on Letterman episode. So symbolic of the power that Shahrukh has in the global market. Yes yes on Anil. Yes on Harsh.
I would also like to see Katrina blossom. I like her overall and appreciate that she’s not desperate in terms of taking roles or a husband.
I know the woman who did the Netflix deal with Red Chilies. And she actually isn’t at Netflix India anymore but she would be the person who would know about Yash Raj or Dharma’s chance to move over onto the Netflix platform or why they haven’t done it. It would actually help me a lot with a project that I’m getting started on in the next couple of weeks which I will share with you guys soon!
My family and I are celebrating the Jewish new year in beautiful Palos Verdes California at the Terranea resort. Will try to get a picture up here!
New year, new beginnings…I love that feeling of possibility!
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Sometimes I think about the olden days before coverage got so extreme when the first you would hear about a new movie was when it was about to release. Of course, in those olden days Shahrukh had a new movie every couple months, so I think I would still take that over not knowing what he is doing next AND not having a current film to watch.
I already had a wish post for Ranbir to take an 18 year paternity leave, I still think that is the best of all possible worlds (since it means Alia, or whoever else might be the mother of his child, can keep working).
I wish I had noted down when Dharma left Netflix for Prime. If it was almost 5 years ago, then I would have hope that their Prime exclusive might be up soon. Hmm. I know when my book released (4 and a half years ago) there K3G was still on Netflix. Although come to think of it, I also don’t know if Dharma or YRF has the streaming rights to that.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 3:15 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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What a nice group! Is that your son in the front right? Also, I have to say that the man 4th on the left kind of looks like Rishi. You didn’t celebrate Rosh Hashanah with Rishi, did you?
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 3:19 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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https://rachelbollywood50.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post_30.html
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So pretty!!! This is why watching Bosch was such a treat, all that gorgeous California sunshine.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 3:22 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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That’s Georgie Girl! From the tough streets of Downey to Terranea…
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Yes, that’s my awesome son on the right! He needs to cheer up. I’m dead re: Rishi. That’s my BIL Gary. I’m dead. I now have to show my SIL a pic of Rishi. Similar body type.
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I thought it was your son! Because you said he was charmingly cute since babyhood 🙂
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 3:36 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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He’s the greatest
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https://rachelbollywood50.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post_30.html
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100% agree with all the things you don’t care about.
My wishes:
I want Vikrant Massey, Viineet Kumar Singh, Avinash Tiwary, Priyansh Jora, Amit Sadh and Harshwardhan Rane to work and have success in their upcoming movies (OMG I’m so stressed about The Girl on the train, hope Parineeti won’t ruin this movie, because I’ll hate her forever)
I want all Akshay Kumar’s movies to be flops
I hope there will be at least one or two well written, well acted romantic movies I will love and that those movies will earn money so other romantic movies with good actors can be made.
I want biopics and patriotic stuff to disapear from cinemas ( making place to romances)
I’m still angry with Maddy, but deep inside I love him and I want his movie to be good and successful.
I’m angry with Arjun Kapoor too, but I want Panipat to be good, and want Arjun to change his hairstyle, and start acting for real.
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I was going to mention Amit Sadh, but then I thought “will anyone else care about him or remember who he is?” So I am glad I am not alone. And I forgot about The Girl on the Train having Avinash. I haven’t even seen Leila-Majnu and I still want good things for him.
What if (and I know this is unlikely) one of Akshay’s movies is also a well-acted romantic movie you will love? Which wish takes priority?
Do you want Arjun K. to change anything besides his hair? I have to say, I wouldn’t mind if he lost a few pounds. And married Malaika.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 4:00 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I would watch an Akshay Kumar movie only if there would be somebody /something I love more than I hate Akshay e.g I can’t stand Parineeti Chopra (a moviewrecker), but I’ll watch The girl on the train (seems it will be called Mira) because it has Avinash.
For me Arjun should only change hair. I think he is fit now with all this working out for Panipat. hat do you think?
And I think that after Breathe it’s impossible to forget Amit Sadh. He was sooo good and soo sexy.
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Arjun looks good in that photo, but are we sure he isn’t wearing a corset? Although I suppose it doesn’t really matter, whatever makes him look good, why should I care?
I just looked up Amit and The Internet says he was in a murder-thriller on Zee5. Which brings me to another wish for 2020, that Zee5 finally launches in America. I know they are terrible, but it is better than not having access to the films they own at all.
Bad news for you with Akshay! I forgot he has Good News coming up. A rom-com about infertility (probably), produced by Dharma so high quality, the composer from Sanam Re and Half-Girlfriend, starring Akshay, but also Kareena and Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh. What will you do????
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 4:28 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Yeah I heard about Good News and I couldn’t be less interested. You know how I dislike Akshay, I’m not a fan of Kareena either. Kiara and Diljit are totally neutral for me.
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But Diljit is sweet and gentle!
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 8:11 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I understand your thoughts but unfortunately akshays movies are the necessary evil which keeps the wheels of industry running; making sure all people working in industry employed from light boys to multiplex employees. Even id they run moderately he make min 3 per year. Unlike amir who makes it every couple of years. I agree he should probably go the aayushman way of choosing scripts that overt nationalism.
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You’re right. I don’t want people to be unemployed. So let’s hope Akshay will meet some good guru who will teach him what is wrong and what is right, so he can make good movies now.
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Rosh Hashanah with Rishi/Koffee w Karan…
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I stand by my opinion, they are identical. Your BIL could totally play out Don with Rishi Kapoor.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 4:13 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I have been following your site for some time, reading all the character analysis and the movie analysis. Loved the Baahubali Scene by Scene takedown (I had Baahubali as my wallpaper and I am 23). The Sanjay Dutt articles were also some of my favourite.
I know that now there are tons of amazing web series and a whole lot of content online (Sacred Games duh) but may I request you to watch The Family Man? It is made by Raj & DK and is blockbuster quality.
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Ooo, I love Raj & DK!
Streaming serieses are hard for me, because they take longer to watch and longer to review (I like to do them one episode at a time). But you are tempting me, I had heard good things about The Family Man but I didn’t know it was a Raj & DK product.
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Judging from the interbuzz, the family man has stolen the thunder from bard of blood. So happy for the much deserving manoj bajpayee to have a genuine hit as a lead. Long overdue.
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After surviving Aiyaary, he deserves all good things.
Although I hope it isn’t a win-lose kind of game, because I also want good things for Emraan Hashmi.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 7:56 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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A wholesome pan-Indian movie, liked by people in east west north and south!
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Maybe ’83? Cricket does unite us.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 7:39 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Ya, I lost trust on biopics after watching manikarnika and some of akshays; you wont believe , go back and check the last pan-indian bollywood movie was lagaan, it was based on cricket; not even dangal could cross its popularity. So may be you will be right with 83.
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From your mouth to God’s ear re Dharma/YRF to Netflix, and that Prime should go the way of Blockbuster, and that the Prime executives should toss and turn at night, wondering why they did not offer an array of subtitles in different languages before it was too late.
I’d like to see Ranveer do a Lootera again and do some low key acting before he gets locked into these huge bombastic roles. (I haven’t seen Gully Boy, maybe he does it there?)
I also would like word on a new SRK thing.
I wish Katrina great professional success but I will probably skip seeing whatever she has it in.
I want more women-centric films that are truly woman-centric, focusing on a single woman who is an actual woman and not an archetype, with an actual story and not a list of easily identifiable problems a woman might have.
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Gully Boy is the Ranveer role you are looking for. And it is conveniently available on Prime, so long as you have the exact right device to play Prime streaming, the exact right kind of membership, and don’t need subtitles. Grrrrr.
Mardaani 2 teaser just dropped, but that’s not really what you are looking for. I am weirdly hopeful for Sadak 2. The Bhatt’s have such a fantastic track record for female lead films, and if Sadak 2 ends up being Alia’s story (daughter of an alcoholic, trying to navigate life) I would be very happy. Vidya Balan is supposed to be in a movie about Shakuntala Devi.
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 7:47 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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All of those sound great!
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Let the new year bring us The Legend of Maula Jatt! And any wonderful Tamil movies likewise stuck in limbo. Kills me for all the people who worked so hard to complete films that are just sitting alone in the dark somewhere.
And yes to Dharma and YRF coming back to Netflix. I might be able to help with the date. I watched K3G, KKHH, and Kal Ho Na Ho on Netflix in fall 2016, which would put us at least two years away from a five year term. But if YRF is moving maybe it’s not 5 years? In any case, down with all Amazon content exclusives unless they put the money up to produce something. Let them compete on service and platform instead of forcing people to go there because it’s the only way to see what they want.
Also hoping for more great, complex roles for Tabu – ideally one opposite SRK. She’s setting such a beautiful example of what should be possible for an experienced and talented actress.
For SRK, I’ll wish for that great part in a great movie, with someone at the helm who can keep the focus on the characters and story and keep him from his own worst tendencies of throwing in all the special effects or trying to please all audiences by adding a bunch of distracting plot elements.
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Hmm. I know I had to buy DDLJ on Amazon when I started my DDLJ series and that was about 4 years ago, so YRF could be coming up on the end of their Prime time. Assuming it is a 5 year contract and not some other random time period. I also have a slight suspicion that YRF might be looking at launching their own platform, Disney-style. I wouldn’t mind, they have a track record of really great technical quality and their library is good enough that I would be happy paying a subscription just for their films (Adi went on a buying spree when DVDs came in and picked up rights to entire catelogues of classics from other studios)
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 10:48 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Oops, forgot to respond to the rest of the comment, I got so excited at the idea of a YRF streaming service!
I am now in love with the idea of Tabu in a Nur Jahan biopic. Mature widow who Emperor Shahrukh falls in love with, I would watch that in a heartbeat.
How about we wish for Ashutosh Gowariker to direct Shahrukh and Tabu in a Jahinger-Nur Jahan love story?
On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 10:48 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I would watch that in a heartbeat too. Has he ever done a costume historical again after Asoka? The timing is the only thing that feels off to me, feels like we’re kind of on the trailing end of the Bahubali costume epic follow-on boom.
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Well, not unless you count Raees as an epic. Oh, there was Paheli too! But that wasnt epic.
Anyway, I’m writing my Nur Jahan movie now, I am very excited about this film that will never be made in reality.
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 5:36 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I totally forgot about Sadak 2 but you reminded me and now I’m STRESSED.
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It has to be good! How can it not be good? That cast, that director?
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 10:47 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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All I’m saying is that if Mahesh Bhatt crawls out of his retirement, reunites with Sanjay and Pooja, directs Alia for the first time and the movie doesn’t turn out to be good then hearts will be broken!
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Don’t forget, this is also ARK’s chance to show off his dramatic/romantic chops and if it flops, his career is completely dead.
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 11:11 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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That too. I haven’t really watched a lot of him so I’m not too invested in his career but I always got the impression that he was a decent actor. I kind of liked him and Alia together in Kalank so maybe there’s hope for that pairing? Also I feel like the Mahesh Bhatt erasure in Sanju has also added to my expectations in some way
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Well if we start getting into things that were erased from Sanju, there is a LONG LONG list. Actually, along the lines of Mahesh Bhatt, you know what was erased? Any sense of respect or dignity for acting. Do we ever see “Sanju” care about or work for a role? Or make a decent film? Well, until Munna Bhai came along.
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 11:20 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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And I still haven’t seen those movies while I’ve seen some of the movies that were completely erased from existence so MB nostalgia would have zero impact for me (I couldn’t get past the first hour of Sanju)
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I was trapped in a movie theater with Sanju feeling like a hostage, and assuming the rest of the audience felt the same. And then at the end there was applause! Must have been Stockholm syndrome.
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 2:18 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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SRK has a press conference coming up on Thursday for Ted Talks. (sigh, who watches these shows?) It’s been ages since the media has gotten a hold of him so they will definitely ask him about when he’s going to announce a movie. Obviously he will give the same canned answer that he hasn’t decided what yet. But maybe he will at least hint that he’s getting back to work soon. Or maybe not. He attended the Bard of Blood screening and there was a podium set up and everyone else spoke to the media (even random guests like Parineeti) but SRK refused to. It’s possible they won’t allow any questions other than Ted Talks. I have never seen him avoid the media as much as he has this year.
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It’s working though. If you don’t give them any other option, they have to eat what is placed in front of them. The news stories on SRK are so much better and better controlled this year than in previous years.
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Prabhas’s next movie was another movie that he signed prior to Baahubali 2 which is why I don’t have a good feeling about it either. It’s apparently a romance set in 1970s Europe co-starring Pooja Hegde. This is the director’s second movie and his first movie wasn’t even that good so people have no idea what to expect from this.
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/prabhas-starts-concentrating-his-next-radha-krishna-kumar-108807
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Oh dear. Pooja Hegde? And Prabhas being allowed to pick out 70s clothing? NO!
On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 6:21 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I can’t wait for the Letterman interview. As I’ve said, we were there and I am desperate to discuss the experience with all of you. We aren’t allowed to until it has aired. I hope Akshay has a big failure. I can’t stand that this jingoistic garbage wins and wins. I’m writing this after the TedTalks press conference. He almost made it out without answering the question about next film and then the very last question… He gave the perfect answer (of course). I like the rumor that the next film will be with Gurinder Chada. She is coming off of Blinded by the light which was wonderful. I think, while she loves Shah Rukh (have you seen the interview in England she did with him?) she is a very serious person who will not be swept up by any star mystique and misuse. him.
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No, not Gurinder!!!! At least, not now. My Gurinder theory is that every other movie is good. Blinded By the Light was good, which means it is time for her to make another bad one. Let that be something else, and then she can swing back to SRK for her next good film.
On Fri, Oct 4, 2019 at 3:30 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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