The Ghazi Attack, Running Shaadi, The Lego Batman Movie, Hidden Figures: This week's releases

Hindi cinema offers a diverse range of offering this Friday with a period war drama, a crime thriller and a romantic comedy. Bollywood Films The Ghazi Attack What’s It About: It is a period drama that revolves around the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Who’s In It: Rana Daggubatti, Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon and the late Om Puri. Why It May Work: State of the art production values as evident in the trailer, the recent shift of preference towards period films, the performance of the lead actors Daggubatti and Pannu riding on the success of Baahubali and Pink, and the urge to see the recently departed veteran Puri on the silver screen one more time.

The Ghazi Attack is directed by Sankalp Reddy. Irada Whta’s It About: A mysterious bomb blast in a tycoon’s factory prompts the Chief Minister to hire a National Investigative Agency (NIA) officer to unearth the cause. He joins forces with a journalist and an army veteran to solve the case. Who’s In It: Arshad Warsi, Naseeruddin Shah, Sagarika Ghatge and Divya Dutta. Why It May Work: The intrigue it has evoked among the audience through its trailer and promos. Also, watch out for the nuanced performances of the actors, particularly Shah and Warsi, whose collaboration was lauded in Abhsihek Chaubey’s Ishqiya franchise.

Irada is directed by Aparnaa Singh. the What’s It About: Set in a small North Indian town, a couple start a matrimonial website that helps couples elope. Who’s In It: Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh. Why It May Work: It is produced by Shoojit Sircar who has churned out memorable slice-of-life films like Piku, Pink and Vicky Donor in the past. Also, it has a similar premise with Maneesh Sharma’s 2010 blockbuster Band Baaja Baaraat.

Running Shaadi is directed by Amit Roy. Hollywood Films It’s the week for sequels and Oscar-nominated films in Hollywood. While The Lego Batman Movie and John Wick: Chapter 2 are sequels; Hidden Figures and Moonlight are both nominated for the upcoming Oscar awards. The Lego Batman Movie What’s it about: A sequel to the 2014 Batman film, we now have Lego City under threat from the Joker. But now Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) must battle the Joker and other evil forces as well as try and bring up an adopted boy. Who’s in it: The voice of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera and Ralph Fiennes. Why is may work: The Lego Movie (released in 2014) was a hit because of its novelty; and the fact that it was one of the first DC films that took the superhero genre lightly. This film follows the same plotline.

The Lego Batman has been directed by Chris McKay. Silence What’s it about: Based on Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel of the same name; the film takes us back to Japan in the 17the century; where two Portuguese priests have traveled to look for a Jesuit who has renounced his faith. Who’s in it: Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver. Why it may work: Director Martin Scorsese’s obsession with spiritualism has resurfaced in this film, which he had been waiting to make since the ’80s. The long wait will have Scorsese’s fans queuing up to buy tickets at the theater.

Silence is directed by Martin Scorsese. Moonlight What’s it about: Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami as he struggles with his sexuality.  Who’s in it: Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp, Duan Sanderson Why it may work: The film is sure to draw crowds because of its unique storyline and hype surrounding the Oscar nomination.

Moonlight is directed by Barry Jenkins. Hidden Figures What’s it about: A story about how three African American women who worked as Nasa scientists and served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanised the world. Who’s in it: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe. Why it may work: : It’s an inspirational story that surpasses boundaries of gender and race.

Hidden Figures is directed by Theodore Melfi. John Wick: Chapter 2 What’s it about: A sequel to the 2014 film John Wick; the action film is about the life of the hitman John Wick who is forced to come out of retirement to avenge his wife’s death. Shortly after the events of the first film; we see John Wick discovering that a large bounty has been put on his life. Who’s in it: Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne Why it may work: The Keanu Reeves fan club will appreciate the film for its slick action scenes from the looks of the trailer coupled with their favourite action star who, from the looks of it, hasn’t lost the agility of days from the Matrix.

John Wick: Chapter 2 is directed by Chad Stahelski.