The Independence Day weekend has always been a sought-after window for Bollywood and its release of patriotic films. Whether it is Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De India! or Akshay Kumar’s Gold, both films leveraged on the country’s patriotic fervour and went on to do more-than-expected business.
This year, things are going to the next level, with the long weekend witnessing the release of not one, not two, but three movies. Along with these, Netflix will begin streaming two eagerly awaited shows. Not all of these are patriotic in nature though. Here as the films/shows as follows:
1. Mission Mangal (15th August)
Produced by Akshay Kumar & R Balki, this is going to be Hindi cinema’s first attempt at retelling the story of ISRO’s Mangalyaan mission. Headed by Akshay Kumar, the film’s cast comprises Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Nithya Menen. Mission Mangal will be Akshay Kumar’s fourth consecutive Independence Day release after Rustom (2016), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Gold (2018).
2. Batla House (15th August)
Second in line for Bollywood’s desh prem badge after Akshay Kumar, John Abraham will be releasing his second consecutive film during the Independence Day weekend, after last year’s Satyamev Jayate. Batla House, directed by Nikkhil Advani, is based on real-life accounts of a highly controversial encounter that resulted in three casualties and the arrest of two suspects. The case took place barely a week after five serial blasts killed over 30 people in Delhi.
3. Sacred Games S02 (15th August)
Netflix’s most famous Indian original is back with its second season. With Vikramaditya Motwane narrowing his focus as the showrunner, the directorial duties are being shared between Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan (Masaan). Kalki Koechlin and Ranvir Shorey have joined the show’s already fantastic cast, and the spotlight has nicely settled on Pankaj Tripathi’s Guruji as the second season’s main antagonist.
4. Mindhunter S02 (16th August)
David Fincher and Joe Penhall’s incredible show, that traces the birth of serial-killer profiling by the FBI, is back with its second season. After dealing with the scary-looking Ed Kemper and three other serial killers in the first season, the show is all set to take a closer look at Charles Manson and the Atlanta Murders, which resulted in 28 deaths in the span of two years. If you’re a Fincher fiend, get set for some delicious framing and some anxiety-inducing thrill.
5. Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood (15th August)
Quentin Tarantino’s much-awaited 9th film boasting of names including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Margot Robbie and Emile Hirsch among many, many others, is releasing in India during the Independence Day weekend. The film is releasing domestically in America on July 26, and was initially set to release even later in August. But with Prabhas-starrer Saaho being moved to August 30, meant that Tarantino’s latest film will find its spot in the Indian theatres.
It sure does promise to be a long and a busy weekend. Brace yourself!
