Bollywood's Grand 2026 Calendar Unveiled
The year 2026 promises to be a landmark period for Bollywood. The industry is preparing to launch an incredible variety of films. Audiences will see everything from intense spy thrillers and historical dramas to heartfelt love stories and supernatural laughs. Major stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, Yash, and Akshay Kumar are all set with their biggest projects. Whether you want the excitement of a war hero's story or the scares of a haunted house, this year's schedule truly offers something for every movie fan.
January Releases Kick Off the Year
The cinematic journey begins right on New Year's Day. 'Ikkis' arrives on January 1, 2026. This patriotic war film features a strong cast led by Agastya Nanda. He is joined by veterans Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, along with Simar Bhatia. Acclaimed director Sriram Raghavan helms the project. The movie tells the true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. It focuses on his heroic actions during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Just a week later, on January 9, superstar Prabhas headlines 'The Raja Saab'. This pan-Indian project also stars Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Malavika Mohanan. Director Maruthi guides a story about a young man searching for his missing grandfather in a remote village. His investigation leads him to a vast, ancient mansion with a dark, sinister presence. The film blends grand visual spectacle with moments of horror and comedy.
January 16 brings a double dose of entertainment. First, the comedy 'Rahu Ketu' features the lively pair of Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma. Shalini Pandey and Chunky Panday join them. Director Vipul Vig aims to recreate the chaotic fun of the Fukrey series. The plot explores the idea of "bad luck" and follows eccentric characters who think their lives are controlled by planetary movements.
Also releasing on January 16 is the spy comedy 'Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos'. Vir Das and Kavi Shastri direct, with Vir Das also starring alongside Mona Singh and Mithila Palkar. The story follows Happy Patel, a clumsy British spy who discovers his Indian heritage just before a mission to India. His goal is to rescue a scientist and stop a dangerous plan by a Goan kingpin. The film is packed with meta-humor, cultural jokes, and wild action. Exciting surprise cameos from Aamir Khan and Imran Khan are sure to delight audiences.
Closing the month on January 30 is the unique film 'Gandhi Talks'. Director Kishor Pandurang Belekar presents a silent black comedy starring Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy, and Aditi Rao Hydari. The story follows Mahadev, a jobless graduate in financial trouble, who encounters a wealthy businessman and a petty thief. Using pure visual storytelling and music by A.R. Rahman, the film examines the conflict between Gandhian ideals and modern materialism. This dialogue-free satire turns silence into a powerful tool for social commentary.
February Brings Romance and Thrills
February starts with love and drama. On February 13, Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri lead the intense romantic drama 'O' Romeo'. Vikrant Massey and Nana Patekar provide strong support. Visionary director Vishal Bhardwaj, famous for his literary adaptations, directs. The story draws from classic romantic tragedies but sets them in a gritty, modern gangster world. It explores the destructive force of passion and the sadness of forbidden love in an unchanging society.
Also releasing on Valentine's Day is the survival thriller 'Tu Yaa Main'. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, it stars Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor. The plot brings together two social media influencers from different backgrounds. Their romance quickly turns into a web of betrayal. Their content-creation trip takes a horrifying turn in the crocodile-infested backwaters of a dangerous river, forcing them into a brutal fight for survival.
The soulful urban romance 'Do Deewane Seher Mein' arrives on February 20. Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur play the lead lovers, Shashank and Roshni. Ravi Udyawar directs, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali producing. The film tracks their journey as they navigate life's complexities in a busy city. It highlights the beauty of small moments and the enduring power of a simple love story amid the chaos and professional demands of modern metropolitan life.
On February 27, Rani Mukerji makes a powerful return as the fierce cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in 'Mardaani 3'. Abhiraj Minawala takes over directing the successful franchise. The plot sees Shivani investigating a new, more dangerous crime syndicate. Her case uncovers a far-reaching sinister network. As she digs deeper, she confronts Amma, a mysterious and terrifying figure who exploits children. Staying true to the franchise's social relevance, the story follows her relentless pursuit of justice against high-profile criminals who prey on the vulnerable.
March and April Continue the Momentum
March opens with laughter on the 4th with the comedy sequel 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do'. Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh, Gabbi, and Pankaj Tripathi star. Mudassar Aziz returns to direct this follow-up to the 2019 hit. The plot humorously explores modern marriage complexities, where the protagonist gets tangled in lies involving multiple personal complications.
March 19 features two major releases. First, Ranveer Singh leads the high-stakes spy thriller 'Dhurandhar 2'. The ensemble cast includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan. Aditya Dhar, director of the blockbuster 'Uri,' helms the project. Based on real intelligence operations, the plot follows undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari as he penetrates deeper into enemy territory. This sequel raises the stakes as he tries to dismantle a global terror network while battling personal demons from his past.
Also on March 19, Rocking Star Yash returns in 'Toxic' alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi. Acclaimed director Geetu Mohandas makes her foray into large-scale action cinema. Described as a "fairy tale for grown-ups," it is a period gangster thriller set between the 1940s and 1970s. The film explores the dark rise of a powerful underworld figure and the "toxic" nature of power and greed within the illegal drug trade of that era.
A special cinematic event arrives on March 20. 'Love and War' brings together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. The master of grandeur, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, directs. While details are secret, the plot is a sweeping period romantic drama set against intense conflict. It promises to explore timeless themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice with the visual and emotional depth Bhansali is famous for.
April starts with spooky laughs on April 2. Akshay Kumar reunites with his legendary comedy co-stars Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav in 'Bhooth Bangla'. Wamiqa Gabbi joins the team. Veteran director Priyadarshan returns, marking their first collaboration in over a decade. The story revolves around a man who inherits a mysterious ancient mansion rumored to be haunted by restless spirits.
April 17 delivers a double punch of action and patriotism. First, Alia Bhatt and Sharvari star as super-agents in the high-octane action movie 'Alpha'. Bobby Deol plays the antagonist. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the plot follows two female agents on a high-stakes mission where they must use their combat skills and extreme intelligence to survive.
Also on April 17, superstar Salman Khan headlines the patriotic war drama 'Battle of Galwan'. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, it also features Chitrangda Singh and Ankur Bhatia. The film is a cinematic retelling of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. It captures the raw bravery of soldiers who fought a brutal battle at 15,000 feet without firing a single bullet.
Bollywood's 2026 lineup showcases an impressive mix of genres and star power. From historical epics and patriotic tales to romantic dramas and hilarious comedies, the year is set to captivate audiences nationwide. Moviegoers have much to anticipate as these ambitious projects hit the silver screen.
