Sequels to three successful films from the past. Return of an iconic sleuth on the big screen. An action thriller featuring a superstar. The run-up to Independence Day promises to be an entertaining one for cinema-goers. Here’s all you need to know about the films hitting theatres this week.

Gadar 2: The Saga Continues (Hindi)

Directed by: Anil Sharma

Cast: Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma

Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel return as Tara Singh and Sakina in Gadar 2: The Saga Continues, the highly-anticipated sequel to Anil Sharma's 2001 blockbuster Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Utkarsh Sharma, the son of director Anil Sharma, who previously portrayed Tara Singh and Sakina's son in the first instalment will also return in this movie. The events in Gadar 2 unfold against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war as Tara Singh ventures back to Pakistan with the mission of reuniting with his son, Charanjeet, and bringing him home.

OMG 2 (Hindi)

Directed by: Amit Rai

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam

Amit Rai’s OMG 2, a sequel to the 2012 comedy drama OMG – Oh My God!, features Akshay Kumar as a ‘messenger of Shiva’. Lord Shiva asks his devoted disciple, Nandi, to dispatch one of his emissaries (Akshay Kumar) to assist Kanti Sharan Mudgal whose son had been expelled from school due to an ‘indecent’ incident. Although Kanti has taken the matter to court, he finds himself in the dual roles of both the plaintiff and the defendant. Yami Gautam, assuming the role of an attorney, engages in a legal battle with Kanti during the trial proceedings, while Shiva's messenger guides him through the process.

Byomkesh O Durgo Rohoshyo (Bengali)

Directed by: Birsa Dasgupta

Cast: Dev, Rukmini Maitra, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Rajatava Dutta, Shantilal Mukherjee and Debesh Chattopadhyay

The legendary detective Byomkesh Bakshi returns to the big screen with Birsa Dasgupta-helmed Byomkesh O Durgo Rohosyo, featuring Dev as the iconic sleuth. While Rukmini Maitra takes on the role of his wife Satyabati, Ambarish Bhattacharya plays Byomkesh's friend Ajit. Adapted from Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's eponymous novel the suspense thriller follows Byomkesh and Ajit as they try to solve the mystery behind the death of a historian, Professor Ishan Chandra Majumder, an apparent victim of a snakebite. Their quest leads them to unravel the mysteries surrounding a long-buried treasure nestled within a hilltop fortress. Rajatava Dutta, Shantilal Mukherjee and Debesh Chattopadhyay also feature in this murder mystery in pivotal roles.

Cheeni 2 (Bengali)

Directed by: Mainak Bhaumik

Cast: Madhumita Sarcar, Lily Chakraborty, Aparajita Adhya, Anirban Chakraborty, Soumya Mukherjee, and Pinky Banerjee

Mishti, an undervalued homemaker, neglected by her husband and children, welcomes a fresh tenant into her home — Cheeni, a carefree and vibrant young woman with ambitious aspirations. The two women establish a profound bond, united by their common challenges, as they set out on a journey of self-discovery. Lily Chakraborty, Anirban Chakraborty, Soumya Mukherjee and Pinky Banerjee play significant roles in the movie.

Jailer (Tamil)

Directed by: Nelson Dilipkumar

Cast: Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vasanth Ravi

Jailer is an action-packed drama that marks the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Nelson Dilipkumar. The film’s plot revolves around Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth), a no-nonsense prison warden who comes to know that a group of criminals is attempting to rescue their leader from the prison. Pandian takes matters in his hand to foil their plans. Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vasanth Ravi feature in this movie in key roles.