List of highly anticipated Bollywood films that are awaiting release

The Hindi film industry churns out hundreds of films every year, but only some manage to make it to the must-watch list of movie buffs. Many a time, however, highly anticipated films do not reach the audience due to a variety of reasons. hitlist pulls out a list of films, which are either waiting for a release since years or have not gone on floors long after they were announced:

Four exciting films with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead are awaiting release since long

Dhyan Chand biopic
In a nutshell: In October 2014, Karan Johar took to Twitter to announce that his production house along with Pooja and Aarti Shetty will be making a film on the hockey legend, most remembered for his extraordinary goal-scoring feats, in addition to earning three Olympic gold medals.

Hockey legend Dhyan Chand

The hurdle: Scripting is done, but there's no development on the casting front. While KJo and Pooja remained unavailable for comment, Ashok Kumar, son of Dhyan Chand, says, "I am not sure when the film will roll. They (makers) have not yet updated me. I hope it starts this year."

'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz'
In a nutshell: In this Kushan Nandy film, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will essay the role of a contract killer with Tahir Raj Bhasin as his competitor. Chitrangda Singh will play a local cobbler. Initially, Roopa Ganguly was roped in to play the role of a politician inspired by Mamata Banerjee but the makers signed another actress since the story shifted to Bihar and the politician's character will be modeled after BSP leader Mayawati.

Chitrangda Singh and (right) Tahir Raj Bhasin star in 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz'

The hurdle: After financial concerns, the project hit a roadblock while shooting in West Bengal. Workers under the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India reportedly stalled the shooting due to non-clearance of dues. The director accused them of extortion and packed up from there. Then there were rumours of the film being shelved. Nandy, however, tells us: "We will start shooting the last schedule in February and have plans to release it this year."

'Monsoon Shootout'
In a nutshell: The Amit Kumar directorial features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tannishtha Chatterjee in lead roles. The story is about Shiva, a rookie cop, who lives out two possible futures after a confrontation with a hit man. It was premiered at Cannes in 2013 and travelled to Hawaii International Film Festival, London Indian Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, South Asian Indian Film Festival and many such galas.

Tannishtha Chatterjee in a still from Amit Kumar's 'Monsoon Shootout'

The hurdle: It was completed in 2012, but there is no news of a release date. Vijay Varma, who has an important part in the film, says, "After being screened at several big-ticket festivals, it had an Indian premiere too in November last year and has already aired on television in France and Germany. We are still looking for an Indian theatrical release and it should be sometime this year."

'Shoebite'
In a nutshell: Shoojit Sircar's film starring Amitabh Bachchan is about a sexagenarian named John Pereira who sets out on a journey of self-discovery.

A still from Shoojit Sircar's 'Shoebite' starring Amitabh Bachchan as a sexegenarian who sets out on a journey of self-discovery

The hurdle: Shoojit started working on 'Vicky Donor' (2012) after he started facing repeated delays for 'Shoebite', which was earlier named as Johnny Walker and supposed to be backed by Percept Picture Company. After the director approached UTV, Percept filed a lawsuit against the film studio in 2008 to block the film's shoot. Six years after it was made, the film is still waiting to exhale. Shoojit blames UTV Motion Pictures for not ensuring the release and says the way they have treated the film, it is an insult to the superstar.

'Ghoomketu'
In a nutshell: An aspiring writer (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who hails from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, runs away to Mumbai. He gives himself 30 days to try and prove his worth.

A snap from the sets of 'Ghoomketu' which features Nawazuddin Siddiqui as an aspiring writer

The hurdle: Directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, the film has been stuck since 2014 as the makers have been trying to partner with a major production house after failing to get distributors. While co-producer Anurag Kashyap could not be reached for clarity on a release date, Richa Chadda, who has a special appearance in the film, said she is not aware when it will hit the theatres.

Kishore Kumar biopic
In a nutshell: A film on the legendary actor-singer is expected to trace his journey in the industry, personal life (four marriages) and his seemingly eccentric behaviour. According to reports, Kumar's family earlier had reservations about giving their nod to the biopic, but later gave their approval.

Ranbir Kapoor was supposed to star in Anurag Basu's (left) film on Kishore Kumar (right), but he recently said that he is no longer a part of it. Aamir Khan has now reportedly evinced interest in the project

The hurdle: Anurag Basu announced the film in 2012 with Ranbir Kapoor on board. However, soon after, the duo announced 'Jagga Jasoos' and started working on the detective drama. A few months ago, Ranbir revealed that the project has been facing opposition from Kumar's family over the script and casting, plus financial issues, due to which the film has been shelved. Last week, it was reported that Aamir Khan has evinced interest in the project and might play the legend on screen.

'Haraamkhor'
In a nutshell: Based on real-life events, this film featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui is about a teacher and his extra-marital affair with a student (played by 'Masaan' actress Shweta Tripathi). It was apparently shot in 16 days with funds raised through a social networking site. It premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival and Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. However, no release date has been announced so far for this Shlok Sharma directorial.

The first look poster of Shlok Sharma's 'Haraamkhor'

The hurdle: Last April, there were reports of Pune police registering a case against Sharma after Balbharati, Maharashtra's textbook bureau, objected to striking similarities between its logo and promotion scenes from the film. However, it is unclear if this has delayed the film's release.

'Traffic'
In a nutshell: The film, helmed by Rajesh Pillai, is a remake of his 2011 Malayalam flick that revolves around a brain-dead man whose kin agree to donate his heart to a needy patient. The harvested heart, however, has to be transported 150 kilometres away in less than two hours during peak traffic hours. The makers claim it is inspired from a true-life 'green corridor' phenomenon that took place in Chennai. Manoj Bajpayee plays a traffic cop in the film that has an ensemble cast consisting of Jimmy Sheirgill, Divya Dutta, Parambrata Chatterjee, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Amol Parashar.

Manoj Bajpayee plays a traffic cop in Rajesh Pillai's 'Traffic', a remake of his 2011 Malayalam film

The hurdle: It was slated to go on floors in 2011 with Sunny Deol, Rajat Barmecha and Minissha Lamba. The project got stuck in the cans due to production issues and was expected to hit theatres in October last year. Richa Panai, who plays a key role in the film, says, "We finished shooting in mid 2015. It was a memorable experience as I got to share screen space with so many talented actors. Now, we all are waiting for its release, hopefully, in the first half of 2016."