With cinema halls and multiplexes shut down, several big Bollywood films have opted for direct digital release. We have a list of 7 movies to directly release on Disney+ Hotstar.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the entertainment industry has incurred a huge loss in the last couple of months. The cinema halls multiplexes are closed for five months. They remained to be shut for at least a month or two. As the filmmakers are going a rough phase, expect more and more movies to directly release on OTT platforms. After Shoojit Sircar’s Gulabo Sitabo, more Bollywood movies have opted for direct digital releases. From Akshay Kumar’s Laxmmi Bomb to Ajay Devgn’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India, these 7 have opted for direct digital release on Disney+ Hotstar. Have a look at the list:
Laxmmi Bomb
Starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani, Laxmmi Bomb is the official Hindi remake of the Tamil film, Muni 2: Kanchana. The film is being directed helmed by Raghava Lawrence, who also directed the Tamil version. Laxmmi Bomb was scheduled for Eid 2020 release. As per the reports, Hotstar bought the digital rights of the movie for a whopping Rs 125 crore.
Release status: Though the release date hasn’t been declared, it is reported that the movie will release in November during Diwali weekend.
#LaxmmiBomb first look posters… pic.twitter.com/iiziXwdKaj
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2020
Sadak 2
Mahesh Bhatt makes a comeback as a director with Sadak 2. It is the first time he is working with his daughter Bhatt. The movie is the sequel to Mahesh Bhatt’s 1991 film of the same name, which starred his elder daughter, Pooja Bhatt. Sadak 2 stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt, and Pooja Bhatt.
Release status: Sadak 2 released on 28 Aug 2020 amidst Nepotism debates. It was heavily criticized by the critics and viewers and becomes the lowest-rated Bollywood movie on IMDb.
#Sadak2 first look poster… pic.twitter.com/BIbPyp1woV
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2020
The Big Bull
Abhishek Bachchan’s comeback film is reportedly based on stockbroker Harshad Mehta, who had committed many financial crimes. Directed by Kookie Gulati and produced by Ajay Devgn, the film was initially scheduled for theatrical release on 23 Oct 2020. However, it will now premiere on Disney+ Hotstar.
Release status: Reports suggest that Abhishek Bachchan starrer will release in the last week of October.
#TheBigBull first look poster… pic.twitter.com/MptvrIpn3n
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2020
Bhuj: The Pride Of India
Set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the film is about the life of IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, the then in-charge of the Bhuj airport who and his team reconstructed the IAF airbase with the help of 300 local women. The movie stars Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharad Kelkar, Nora Fatehi, Ammy Virk, and Pranitha Subhash. It is directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya.
Release status: With still some patch-up work left, the makers are looking for Oct or Nov release.
#Bhuj first look posters… pic.twitter.com/4gULUEz7nk
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2020
Dil Bechara
Sushant Singh Rajput’s last movie would be ‘Dil Bechara’. Previously titled ‘Kizie Aur Manny’, ‘Dil Bechara’ is casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s directional debut. The film was slated for May 8, 2020 release. However, due to shutdown, the film failed to release in theatres.
Release status: Dil Bechara released on Disney+ Hotstar on 24 July 2020. It gained immense popularity and becomes the most viewed movie on Indian OTT.
Khuda Haafiz
Directed by Faruk Kabir, Khuda Haafiz is a romantic action thriller Vidyut Jammwal and Shivaleeka Oberoi in lead roles. The film based on true events received appreciation from the critics as well as viewers.
Release status: Vidyut Jammwal starrer premiered on 14 Aug and fetched good numbers.
#KhudaHaafiz first look poster… pic.twitter.com/s84QdXL6O4
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2020
Lootcase
Directed by Rajesh Krishnan, Lootcase stars Kunal Kemmu and Rasika Duggal. Released multiple times, it was finally set for release on 10 April 2020. But, since the cinema halls and multiplexes remained closed due to the lockdown, the makers opted for direct digital release.
Release status: Released on 31 July 2020, Lootcase received a positive response and fetched better numbers than expected.
So, this is the list of movies directly releasing to Disney+ Hotstar as part of Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex initiative which was a result of theatre shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can check the digital release date of all Bollywood movies right here.
