Sonakshi Sinha's Noor, Raveena Tandon's Maatr, The Zookeeper's wife: This Week's Releases

Bollywood Films Noor What’s it about: Based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz’s novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me!, the story revolves around a female journalist who is perennially annoyed with her clumsiness, lack of love life and a demanding profession. Who’s in it: Sonakshi Sinha, Kanan Gill, Purab Kohli, Shibani Dandekar. Why it may work: Sonakshi plays a girl-next-door for the first time. Renowned comedian Kanan Gill makes his debut with this film. The music, mainly the dance numbers, is rocking the chartbusters.

Noor is directed by Sunil Sippy. Maatr What’s it about: A mother and daughter get raped in an isolated area near New Delhi. Since one of the main conspirators is the prime minister’s son, the mother resorts to unlawful ways to avenge her daughter’s murder. Who’s in it: Raveena Tandon and Madhur Mittal. Why it may work: Raveena Tandon has been lauded for her issue-oriented films like Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2003 political drama Satta and Kalpana Lajmi’s 2001 social drama Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence. Women security is a burning issue in contemporary India.

Maatr is directed by Ashtar Syed. Sonata What’s it about: Three senior women bond over lost love, wine, philosophy and each other’s company to deal with their mid-life crisis. Who’s in it: Aparna Sen, Shabana Azmi and Lilette Dubey. What may work for it: Three veteran actors and a theme that resonates with most people.

Sonata is directed by Aparna Sen. Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi What’s it about: Based on Mridula Singh’s biography of Vijaya Raje Scindia, the biopic explores the life of former Rajmata of Gwalior. Who’s in it: Hema Malini, Vinod Khanna, Sachin Khedekar. What may work for it: Hema Malini returns to the silver screen. Also, Vinod Khanna’s health issues might allow the film to gain traction.

Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi is directed by Gulbahar Singh. Hollywood Films The Zookeeper’s Wife What’s it about: The Zookeeper’s Wife tells the account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who helped save hundreds of Jews from the Nazis during the World war II by converting their zoo to a shelter for the victimised people. Who’s in it:  Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Daniel Bruhl What may work for it: We will surely find the theatres packed for this warm, fuzzy tale of how humanity triumphs in the face of despair.

The Zookeeper’s Wife is directed by Niki Caro. Unforgettable What’s it about: Katherine Heigl stars as an ex-wife who stalks her husband’s new love. A very A Girl On The Train meets Obsessed (the film starring Beyonce) thriller. Who’s in it:  Katherine Heigl, Rosaria Dawson What may work for it: Though it might seem like your run-of-the-mill stalking film, because the film is directed by a woman it might give a unique perspective to the age-old narrative of the vengeful woman.

Unforgettable is directed by Denise Di Novi. Smurfs: The Lost Village What’s it about: A map leads Smurfette, Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty to a lost village. Gargamel, the evil wizard is also on their tail. Who’s in it: The voices of Demi Lovato, Danny Pudi, Jack McBtayer and Rainn Wilson. What may work for it: Smurfs is a classic for kids.

Smurfs: The Lost Village is directed by Kelly Asbury.