Bollywood 2020 is literally around the corner and there are some promising films that will release next year.
Given that some talented male actors have recently made some impressive debuts, many of them have an array of promising ventures in the pipeline.
Furthermore, it’s great to see some experienced actors given the limelight and opportunities they rightfully deserve.
In a special feature (and in no particular order), Filme Shilmy reflects on 10 Male Bollywood Actors that could make an impact next year due to numerous/meaty content, promising characters or anticipated Hindi films.
Ranveer Singh
It is evident that the 33-year-old actor has come a long way since his Band Baaja Baaraat days.
After celebrating back-to-back successes in 2018 with Padmaavat and Simmba, Ranveer Singh struck gold this year with Gully Boy, which India’s submission for the Oscars.
Next year, in 2020, the actor will step into the shoes of legendary cricketer, Kapil Dev for Kabir Khan’s ‘83.
Opening up on the film in a media interview, Ranveer informs:
“It’s an extraordinary story of underdogs who went on to achieve ultimate glory. It is a cinematic package; you will see endearment, humour, emotion, and drama.”
In addition, he will also be seen in the multi-starrer magnum-opus Takht, which is Karan Johar’s first-period film.
Shedding further light on this, he adds:
“I’ve only done period films with Sanjay (Leela) Bhansali so far, any actor would give an arm and leg to act under his guidance.
To talk of Takht, I have always wanted to collaborate with Karan Johar, and he offered me a brilliant part in a ‘killer’ story.
It’s unlike anything I have done before, and I saw the potential to make something noteworthy out of it.”
Ranbir Kapoor
Since his debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya, the world has become smitten over Ranbir Kapoor and his talent speaks volume of his calibre as an actor.
The years 2016 and 2018 were notable for RK as it marked two successful movies (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Sanju) after a hiatus.
Whilst we missed seeing him on-screen in 2019, but the charming superstar will finally be seen in the highly anticipated multi-starrer Bhramastra.
Shamshera is a period-drama film that will have a lot of action and adventure. The film has a very rich sense of screenplay.
This movie will apparently be based in the 18th century, especially focusing on the Dacoit tribe who fought against the British for their rights.
Ranbir is featuring in a double role as Shameshera and his father.
In a media interview, he opens up on what motivates him to choose the style of films he does:
“I think it comes a lot from the script, from the director, from your experience.
It’s the culmination of many talents, a lot of minds coming together – so I have never really taken credit for what I have done because it’s quite a combination of a lot of people coming together and making something right.”
Abhimanyu Dassani
Despite being the son of renowned Maine Pyaar Kiya actress Bhagyyashree and actor/producer, Himalaya Dassani, Abhimanyu didn’t allow his familial background to become his launchpad into movies.
After initially being an assistant director, Dassani went through countless auditions until he bagged the main lead role in Vasan Bala’s film, Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota (MKDNH).
MKDNH won the ‘People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award’ at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The movie created history by becoming the first-ever Indian film to play at TIFF’s Midnight Madness segment.
Having impressed audiences with his kick-ass performance in that movie, he has since got more upcoming projects, one of which is Sabbir Khan’s Nikamma – this marks the debut of Shirley Setia and the comeback of Shilpa Shetty Kundra.
In conversation with Filme Shilmy, Abhimanyu talks about his future ambitions and dreams:
“Every day now is like an adventure because I’ve not really been in this industry before. It’s all a new experience.
My dreams are kind of scaring me right now. But someday I’d like to reach the Oscars.
Throughout this journey, if I can inspire/motivate people to make their life better in any way, that will be a fulfilling experience for me.”
Avinash Tiwary
Avinash Tiwary is a silent, superlative talent that explodes on the big screen.
For eight years, he worked in theatre before he worked in Anurag Kashyap’s TV series Yudh, in which he played the antagonist to Amitabh Bachchan.
Subsequently, he made his Bollywood debut with Milind Dhaimade’s directorial debut, Tu Hai Mera Sunday co-starring Barun Sobti and Shahana Goswami.
Though Imtiaz Ali’s Laila Majnu did not perform as well as one would’ve expected, Avinash’s performance got rave reviews.
Subsequently, he will be seen as the lead in Karan Johar’s Netflix anthology segment Ghost Stories (with Mrunal Thakur), The Girl On The Train and in Anushka Sharma’s Netflix original film, Bulbul.
Avinash describes his current space with Filme Shilmy:
“I don’t know to describe this, honestly. After Laila Majnu, for the subsequent 3-4 months, I didn’t have work on me.
The film went down from the cinemas after a week and many people didn’t get a chance to see it, but the word-of-mouth that kept building the film’s state.
Imtiaz sir told me that a film is for life and that made sense to me after people watched it on OTT platforms and loved it.
I had always tested for every film that I got, so it wasn’t just because of Laila Majnu. People have probably realised that I’m capable of carrying a film on my own shoulders.
I’m still the same – going out and auditioning for parts. I just feel glad that people are trusting me and have that faith in me.”
Kartik Aaryan
We knew Kartik Aaryan was destined for big things when he performed the five and a half paged monologue… This triumphant streak is overdue.
The actor has been working in the film industry for over 8 years now. Besides the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series, his other works such as Akash Vaani and Kaanchi didn’t help propel his career.
However, it seems like the struggling days are over for him, perhaps due to the success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS).
In fact, since that movie’s triumph, Kartik’s subsequent movie Luka Chuppi is one of the highest-grossing films of 2019… He can also be seen in Pati Patni Aur Woh remake.
Now, he seems to have been flooded by an array of future projects and we are stoked to see him in titles like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Dostana 2 and Imtiaz Ali’s next with Sara Ali Khan.
His grounded approach towards stardom and fame is also admirable. He believes:
“Success or failure cannot change me. I’ve always been taught to be humble and respect people. Being a successful actor or a star is secondary.
My only focus is on my work. I value it. I don’t have yes men around me. That helps me keep in touch with reality.
The only thing that has changed is that now I’m not able to spend much time with my friends and family. The audience appreciating my work makes me feel secure.”
Vicky Kaushal
Since his successful debut in Masaan, the 30-year-old National Film Award winner has not looked back.
His film roles have been quite out-of-the-box and realistic – be it a man afraid of music in Zubaan or a sinister cop in Raman Raghav 2.0, Vicky does not enact his part but lives it.
The 2018 triumphs of Raazi, Lust Stories, Love Per Square Foot and Sanju propelled his career to another level altogether and his 2019 movie Uri: The Surgical Strike is a testament to this.
What determines his script and role choice? He says in a media interview:
“Whenever I read a script or hear the narration of a story, I always treat it from an audience’s point-of-view.
It’s like I’m watching a film. I don’t consider myself to be an actor who will be a part of the film.
So, by the end of it [the script or narration], if I enjoyed it or felt affected by the story, I judge and take a call depending on that. I have to be an audience and need to know what I feel like one.
There’s this quest of not repeating yourself or exploring new territories so that there’s growth in me as an actor, it’s just about working with good filmmakers.”
When it comes to future projects, Vicky has two diverse movies in the pipeline: horror thriller Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship, period drama Takht and biographical drama Sardar Udham Singh.
Ayushmann Khurrana
Ayushmann Khurrana is synonymous with path-breaking films and roles. Was this always the dream for him as an actor?
“It is imperative for any performer or artist to have their own space. I’m glad that I have found that for myself.
People, as in both critics and audiences have started to respect me as an actor. It’s so good to get that appreciation from them. So I guess I really am enjoying it,” he tells us.
Since his Vicky Donor days, Ayushmann has continuously proven that content is king. So does he consciously search for such ventures?
“The subjects that I look out for are of intrigue, of a certain value, something novel or which has never been attempted in Indian cinema in the past.
By looking for such projects, it gives me the impetus to work with directors to crack a script which is content-heavy and entertaining at the same time.”
The years 2017 and 2018 has proven to be extremely triumphant for him due to the immense appreciation of movies like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Badhaai Ho and AndhaDhun.
Yet again he pushed the envelope further in 2019 with Bala and Dream Girl. In 2020, we will see him play a homosexual in Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan.
Plus, he will also be seen alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan in Shoojit Sircar’s Gulabo Sitabo.
Aditya Roy Kapur
Aditya Roy Kapur debuted in Hindi cinema with London Dreams in 2009. His bushy hairstyle and sweet smile generated a lot of interest.
Having said that though, Aashiqui 2 is what truly broke the glass ceiling for displaying Aditya’s abilities acting abilities.
Even in major movies with known actors, Aditya always has a solid screen presence.
Though his film Kalank did not live up to expectations, Kapur has a plethora of promising movies in the pipeline in the forthcoming year.
These include Anurag Basu’s multi-starrer, Mahesh Bhatt’s Sadak 2 and Mohit Suri’s Malang.
Given that the landscape of cinema is changing, Kapur has said in a media interview that he is open to working with various talents:
“I’m open to all kinds of films and filmmakers. I don’t restrict myself to thinking of films like that, and I think as time goes by, people will realise that there’s no such thing as a small film.
The smallest budget can have an idea that resonates, which is an encouraging thing all around and it puts the onus on the director and the producer.
If we go by the last year in the industry, the films that have done so well show that the industry has really stepped up on what the audience wants as well.”
Ajay Devgn
Over time, award-winning actor Ajay Devgn has proved that he is the true Singham of Bollywood.
Having acted in over a hundred films, Devgn has explored roles of various shades and differing budgets/landscapes… As well as directing and producing movies.
In recent years, the multi-talented artist has celebrated major footfalls with ventures such as Son of Sardaar, the Golmaal series, Drishyam and Raid.
This year saw the 50-year-old megastar in two successful comedies Total Dhamaal and De De Pyaar De.
In the forthcoming year, Ajay has a plethora of ventures lined up including:
Biographical period film Tanhaji, War drama Bhuj: The Pride of India, sports film Maidaan and SS Rajamouli’s RRR.
Plus, Devgn is expected to make a special appearance in Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi. He will also co-produce the social comedy Turram Khan.
In a special interview with Filme Shilmy, Ajay talks about how choosing different genres help in avoiding stereotypes:
“An actor should rotate the genres, rather than playing the same (or similar role) each time.
I do a comedy, suspense and (now) a historical film, so I keep rotating my genres and keep reinventing myself.
When an actor is performing, he doesn’t really think about that genre. He is mainly just thinking about the character and the role.
One simply falls into the genre automatically.”
Rajkummar Rao
Rajkummar truly is the ‘Raj Kumar’ of Bollywood. As an outsider, he has successfully overcome the struggles and broken through this cut-throat industry.
Before gaining prominent lead roles, Rao always left us impressed by his screen presence and acting prowess.
In 2018, his film Stree 100 crore plus mark at the box office, whilst the year before, Bareilly Ki Barfi was 2017’s big sleeper hit.
Whilst the year 2019 may not have been as profitable, Rajkummar has appeared in several unconventional movies… Be it a same-sex love story Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga or a black comedy like Judgementall Hai Kya.
In a media interview, he opens up on his current state of success:
“I am not counting how many films I have done or how many awards I have won. Because acting is something I want to do forever.
It’s not like I have a target in mind that this is what I want to do for this much money. I love doing films. Everything else that comes is an incentive of doing what I love.”
Next year, we are excited to be seeing Rajkummar in RoohiAfza, Turram Khan and Anurag Basu’s next.
Of course, these are just 10 actors out of numerous others in other exciting movies releasing next year. Some other notable mentions include:
- Varun Dhawan – Street Dancer, Coolie No.1
- Akshay Kumar – Sooryavanshi, Laxmmi Bomb
- Shahid Kapoor – Jersey
- Saif Ali Khan – Tanhaji
- Irrfan Khan – Angrezi Medium
- Amitabh Bachchan – Gulabo Sitabo, Chehre, Bhramastra
- John Abraham – Satyameva Jayate 2, Mumbai Saga
- Sidharth Malhotra – Shershaah
- Shahid Kapoor – Jeresy