Know Your Releases: Rock On 2 and Dongri Ka Raja take the lead this week

Bollywood Films Rock On 2 What’s It About: The sequel of Rock On!!, this musical revolves around the band Magik which returns to the stage after eight years. The film explores the reasons that lead to their reunion, inclusion of new members in the band after the death of a member Rob Nancy. Who’s In It: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Prachi Desai and Shahana Goswami. What May Work For It: The huge success of the prequel makes the audience look forward to the film. Being a musical, its songs ‘Jaago’, ‘Manzar Naya’ and ‘Tere Mere Dil’ have been rocking the chartbusters. Akhtar and Kapoor have gained momentum after the success of Wazir and Baaghi respectively and it will be interesting to see the two share the screen space for the first time. Rampal returns to the big screen after an absence of one and a half years. Rock On 2 is directed by Shujaat Saudagar.

Dongri Ka Raja What’s It About: An insight into the underworld, the film chronicles the life of the Raja of the Dongri underworld. It is touted as a gripping suspense thriller. Who’s In It: Ronit Roy, Ashmit Patel and Ashwini Kalsekar. What May Work For It: Ronit Roy’s intense performance is likely to steal the show. The underworld has always had an intimate connection with the Hindi film industry and the realm of crime and dons have always fascinated the Indian masses.

Hollywood Films: Desierto What’s it about: Desierto’s plot is the Mexican horror story that might become reality now that Trump is the new President-elect. A vigilante pursues mexican immigrants as they make the cross-border journey to the great United States of America for a better life. Who’s in it: Gael Garcia Bernal, Alondra Hidalgo and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Why it may work: If you liked Gravity and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, this film might interest you. It is produced by the director of these two films: Alfonso Cuarón and directed by his son Jonás Cuarón, so no matter what the plot of the film is, the cinematography will surely be great. Desierto is directed by Jonás Cuarón.

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk What’s it about: Ang Lee seems to be quite adapt at making films out of interesting books. After the 2012 visual masterpiece Life of Pi, he returns with this new film which has been inspired by Ben Fountain’s novel of the same name. Nineteen-year-old private Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn) becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. Interestingly, this film is also a battle of survival that is told through a series of flashbacks like Life of Pi. Who’s in it: Joe Alwyn**,**  Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Vin Diesel and Steven Martin Why it may work: The film uses new technology in cinema very well. It is shot in 3D at 120 frames-per-second, five times the traditional 24 frames per second. The result is sometimes-jarring realism, with actors’ faces seen in unfiltered intimacy and background scenery so detailed it seemed artificial. The film is a must watch because this filming technique is unprecedented in cinema. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk is directed by Ang Lee

Tamil Films: Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada What’s it about: The action-romantic film has Simbu going on a roadtrip with his girlfriend. Who’s in it: Silambarasan and Manjima Mohan Why it may work: Simbu’s fans have pinned their hope on this film because of him collaborating with Gautham Menon again after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa in 2010. This combined with A.R.Rahman’s music talents is the makings of a surefire hit.

Achcham Yenbandhu Madamaiyada is directed by Gautham Menon.