The film industry has emerged one of the most affected sectors by Covid-19 in 2020, and Bollywood was no different. The pandemic has played a spoilsport with the release dates of several Hindi films in the year bygone, but the industry hopes to welcome patrons to cinema halls during the new year with a variety of movies in its bag.

Big-budget films that could not release in 2020 plan to make their way into theatres in 2021. Below is a list of films that are expected to be released this year:

Sooryavanshi

The third movie in director Rohit Shetty’s ‘Police universe’ after Ajay Devgn’s Singham and Ranveer Singh’s Simmba, Sooryavanshi stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role. The film, also featuring Katrina Kaif, may arrive in the first or second quarter of the year if the pandemic situation gets better after a year of delay.

Poster of Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi Screengrab: YouTube

83

The Kabir Singh directorial traces the story of India’s first Cricket World Cup victory in the year 1983. Featuring Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and Deepika Padukone as Romi Dev, 83 also stars a number of other actors including Pankaj Tripathi.

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in '83' Instagram/ @ranveersingh

Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai

The Salman Khan-starrer action-drama is most likely to release on Eid, a festival that has always proved lucky for the superstar. Director Prabhudeva reunites with Salman after Dabangg 3 . It stars Khan's Bharat co-star Disha Patani and Randeep Hooda.

Maidaan

Poster of Salman Khan's 'Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai' YouTube

Actor Ajay Devgn's much-awaited sports drama will see him portray the role of Syed Abdul Rahim, who served as the coach and manager of the Indian football team from 1950 until his death in 1963. The only big film to have locked its release date on October 15, Maidaan is directed by Badhaai Ho! fame Amit Sharma.

'Maidaan' Instagram/ @ajaydevgn

Laal Singh Chadda

The Aamir Khan-starrer is the official adaptation of Hollywood mega-hit Forrest Gump. Advait Chandan of Secret Superstar has directed Laal Singh Chadda, and also features Kareena Kapoor Khan, south star Vijay Setupathi and Mona Singh in lead roles.

'Laal Singh Chadda' was scheduled to be released on Christmas 2020 Instagram/ @_aamirkhan

Brahmastra

Directed by Ayan Mukherji, the three-film fantasy adventure series is produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios. The first part will see Ranbir Kapoor play Shiva, a man with special powers. The star-studded cast also features Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, south star Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy.

The first poster of Ayan Mukherji's 'Brahmastra' Instagram/ @ayan_mukherji

Shamshera

Ranbir Kapoor has quite a few films to offer, with Shamshera being one of them. The Karan Malhotra directorial, also starring Sanjay Dutt and Vaani Kapoor has been described as a high-octane action entertainer.

Ranbir Kapoor in 'Shamshera' Wikipedia

Gangubai Kathiawadi

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film has been adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi's book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai.The film features Alia Bhatt as Gangubai, one of the most powerful madams from Kamathipura in the 1960s.

Alia Bhatt in 'Gangubai Kathiwadi' Instagram/ @aliaabhatt

Jayeshbhai Jordaar

Jayeshbhai Jordaar, a humorous entertainer set in Gujarat has been directed by debutant Divyaang Thakkar, with Ranveer Singh playing the titular role. It is produced by Yash Raj Films.

Ranveer Singh in 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar'. Instagram/ @ranveersingh

Prithviraj

Akshay Kumar will essay the role of Prithviraj Chauhan in the biopic, while Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar will play the role of Sanyogita. Prithviraj is directed by Chandraparaksh Dwivedi and produced by Yash Raj Films.

Akshay Kumar's 'Prithviraj' was scheduled to release in November 2020. IMDb

Rashmi Rocket

This film will see Taapsee Pannu in the role of an athlete. Akarsh Khurana, who directed Irrfan-starrer Karwaan, is also directing this movie.

Taapsee Pannu in 'Rashmi Rocket'. Instagram/ @taapsee