This week’s lineup of theatrical releases offers a diverse mix of genres, from enchanting musicals and emotional dramas to historical sagas and re-release of nostalgic Bollywood classics. Here’s everything you need to know.
All We Imagine As Light (Malayalam)
Directed by: Payal Kapadia
Cast: Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon
Payal Kapadia’s feature film directorial debut All We Imagine As Light premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and won the Grand Prix, becoming the first Indian film in 30 years to compete in the main competition. It follows the personal and societal struggles of two Malayali nurses, Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha), living in Mumbai. Prabha, who longs for her absent husband, gets involved in helping a colleague (played by Chhaya Kadam) prevent the demolition of her house, while Anu secretly dates Shiaz (Hridhu Haroon), a Muslim man. A transformative encounter changes Prabha’s perspective of life.
I Want to Talk (Hindi)
Directed by: Shoojit Sircar
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Ahilya Bamroo, Banita Sandhu, Jayant Kriplani, Johny Lever
The maker of Piku and Gulabo Sitabo is back with yet another film starring Bachchan, but this time with Bachchan Jr. I Want to Talk is a drama exploring a father-daughter bond, with Abhishek Bachchan as US-based NRI Arjun. A single parent, Arjun’s world turns upside down after he receives a medical diagnosis. Known for his slice-of-life films, Sircar once again delves into the beauty of everyday struggles and relationships in this film.
Wicked: Part I (English)
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Wicked is a fantasy musical and the first installment of a two-part adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which drew inspiration from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel of the same name. Set in the Land of Oz, the story focuses on Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a green-skinned young woman attending Shiz University, as she embarks on a journey that will eventually lead her to become the Wicked Witch of the West. Along the way, the film explores her unexpected friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular classmate destined to become the Good Witch of the North.
The Colors Within (Japanese)
Directed by: Naoko Yamada
Cast: Sayu Suzukawa, Akari Takaishi, Taisei Kido
High-schooler Totsuko (Sayu Suzukawa) has a unique gift: she perceives people as colours. She’s especially drawn to the vibrant hue she sees in her classmate Kimi (Akari Takaishi). When she follows Kimi to a used bookstore, a misunderstanding leads Totsuko to claim she can play the piano. This sparks the formation of a band with Kimi, a guitarist, and Rui (Taisei Kido), a theremin player with a passion for collecting musical gear. As the trio collaborate to create music, their bond deepens and they find solace in their shared journey.
Naam (Hindi)
Directed by: Anees Bazmee
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Bhumika Chawla, Sameera Reddy
Ajay Devgn’s long-delayed film Naam is finally set to hit theatres. The film also stars Bhumika Chawla and Sameera Reddy. Naam marks Devgn and Bazmee’s fourth collaboration, following Hulchul (1995), Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha (1998) and Deewangee (2002). An action drama, Naam was completed in 2014 but faced significant delays due to the passing of one of its producers.
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (English)
Directed by: Tyler Thomas Taormina
Cast: Michael Cera, Matilda Fleming, Maria Dizzia, Ben Shenkman, Francesca Scorsese
Christmas Eve in Miller's Point, which debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May, is set during the Balsano family’s last Christmas in their ancestral home. The story captures the bittersweet aspect of family bonds. Amid the holiday celebrations, two younger family members slip away, embracing their own acts of teenage rebellion.
RE-RELEASES
Pushpa: The Rise (Hindi re-release)
Directed by: Sukumar
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil
As excitement builds up for Pushpa: The Rule, slated to release in December, Pushpa: The Rise returns to theatres in Hindi. The action entertainer revolves around the titular character who rises through the ranks in a sandalwood smuggling gang to become a revered figure. From its electrifying music to Pushpa’s iconic hand gesture, this re-release is an opportunity for fans to relive the magic on the big screen.
Karan Arjun (Hindi)
Directed by: Rakesh Roshan
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Raakhee, Amrish Puri, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni
Rakesh Roshan’s 1995 reincarnation drama Karan Arjun, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, is set to re-release in theatres ahead of the film’s 30th anniversary. The film follows the story of two brothers who reincarnate to avenge their murder at the hands of a ruthless zamindar. Karan Arjun has cemented its place as a cult classic, renowned for its iconic dialogues and songs such as Yeh Bandhan Toh.
