Directors' Movie Picks for 2013

There are quite a few promising movies up for release next year. So which of these is the film industry looking forward to? We ask two directors and a film critic. Take a look:

Director Tigmanshu Dhulia, whose biopic Pann Singh Tomar did well at the box office last year, lists his choice of films to watch out for in 2013:

Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola
Release date: January 2013

Any Vishal Bhardwaj film is a must-watch. Not because he's a good friend, but Vishal's films are always great to watch. From the promos, the movie certainly looks promising and it should be a fun watch. 

David
Release Date: February 2013

I thought for his first film, Bejoy Nambiar did a fantastic job with Shaitaan. So I'm looking forward to what he does with David. It has Neil Nitin Mukesh and Lara Dutta. 

Tabu will be seen after a long time in a Hindi film. 

Ek Thhi Daayan
Release Date: April 2013

It's a movie directed by Kannan Iyer, someone who with me began as an assistant to Shekhar Kapur. It has taken him a long time to make his first film but hopefully it will be an exciting debut. It has Konkona Sen Sharma, Kalki Koelchin, Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi. It's an interesting cast and from what I have heard it is creating a lot of buzz.

Special Chhabbis
Release date: February 8

It's a movie that has Akshay Kumar in a totally different set up. It's not a typical Akshay film and it will be interesting to see what he does in it. It is also Neeraj Pandey's first film after A Wednesday, so it should be a film to watch out for. 

Hitchcock
Release date: January 2013

I think every director will want to watch a biopic of Alfred Hitchcock. With Anthony Hopkins playing Hitchock, there's an added element of excitement. 

Lone Ranger
Release date: July 2013

From what little I have seen from the promos, Johnny Depp looks superb in this film. Depp always does something different and it will be interesting to see what he does in this one. 

Django Unchained
Release date: March 2013

Why? Because it's a Quentin Tarantino film!

Film critic Anupama Chopra lists the films she is looking forward to watch in 2013:

Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola
Release date: January 2013

Vishal Bhardwaj is a profoundly intriguing director and anything from him has to be watched. 

Dhoom 3
Release Date: December 2013

Aamir Khan is playing the lead villain (along with Katrina Kaif), so you can well imagine how thrilling this one is going to be. I am going to be there first day, first show. (This will also be the first Indian film to be released on IMAX screens in India.)

Krrish 3
Release date: November 2013

The Indian superhero is slowly taking shape. Maybe this film will be that game-changer for the him. I am also expecting to see some great special effects in this film. 

Kai Po Che
Release Date: February 2013

I just loved the promos and I bet the film will live up to the expectations.

The Great Gatsby
Release date: March 2013

This is another must-watch on my list. Look at that one scene too in which Amitabh Bachchan is so smooth and silky in the little that we have of him.

Iron Man 3
Release date: April 2013

Robert Downey (Jr) is my favourite superhero. He is just so not a nice guy and is irreverent and arrogant which makes him a profoundly interesting character.

I bet there will be a slew of smaller unexpected films, the dark horses, the Vicky Donors of the world. The big blockbusters are pre-sold; it will be these surprises that will add to the excitement.

Writer/director Habib Faisal, who directed Ishaqzaade in 2012, lists his picks:

Kai Po Che
Release date: February 2013

I read Chetan Bhagat's novel through and through and really liked the three characters in the backdrop of Gujarat. (The film is based on Bhagat's novel The 3 Mistakes of my Life). It's a gutsy story and promises to be good.  

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Release Date: July 2013

Coming from Rakeysh (Omprakash) Mehra, you know it will be very cinematic. And Farhan Akhtar is just not looking like himself. He is out of his comfort zone, which is urban upper middle class, and is playing an earthy role.

Peddlers
Release date: February 2013

I saw this film directed by Vasan Bala and co-produced by Anurag Kashyap at the Toronto International Film Festival and I do hope it gets released in India in the coming year. I hope everybody gets to watch it. (The critically-acclaimed film is a thriller about two love stories). 

Lincoln
Release Date : Released in US in November 2012, it is yet to have an India release

This is purely for the actor, Daniel Day Lewis (who plays Abraham Lincoln in the Steven Spielberg film). Anything with him in it is worth watching.

The Great Gatsby
Release date: March 2013

I have read the book and it is very interesting. (The drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is an adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel). The movie promises to be worth a watch.

About most of the other Hollywood films, I am sure they'll make huge amounts of money, but I would skip them.