Athiya Shetty-Nawazuddin, Saif Ali Khan-Tabu, 11 New Couples We Are Excited To See On-screen!

It's 2019 and be it content or the casting, filmmakers have become more experimental. Long gone has the time when roping in A-listers would guarantee you a sure-shot hit. Today, the audience is smarter than you think and with good actors and a compelling script, a film can be a successful one even without an A-lister or a Khan.

If we look back at recent blockbusters, it only proves the fact that finally we have reached a stage where there is only a good script and a lousy one.Be it a film like Badhaai Ho or an Uri, a film works only when it has something new and promising to offer.

There are several projects in the pipeline that have off-beat pairs that you wouldn't have imagined could be cast together. While Nawazuddin Siddiqui-Athiya Shetty will try to make you laugh with Motichoor Chaknachoor, Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapoor will try to impress you again in Sadak 2 after a massive failure like Kalank.

Cinema-lovers should definitely consider themselves lucky because there are several upcoming films that look intriguing and one of the major factors is its cast. Read on!

1. Athiya Shetty and Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Athiya and Nawazuddin will be seen together in a wedding comedy Motichoor Chaknachoor. Set in Bhopal, the film will revolve around a young NRI husband-obsessed bride and a desperate groom Pushpinder (Nawazuddin Siddiqui).

Athiya will be seen essaying role of Anita, an educated girl who is looking for a green card-holder groom. Pushpinder, the guy eager to get married, is settled in Dubai. He follows his mother's instructions.

The trailer of the film was unveiled recently and it was well-received by the audience. Directed by Debamitra Biswal, the film will release on November 15. It also features Navni Parihar and Abhishek Rawat.

2. Vikrant Massey and Deepika Padukone

Actor Vikrant Massey will soon be seen in the film Chhapaak. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film will release on January 10, 2020. The film is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

Talking about working with actress Deepika Padukone and dirctor Meghna Gulzar, he said it was always on his wishlist. He describes sharing screen space with Deepika as heartwarming. "It''s a great feeling as working with Deepika and Meghnaji was always on my wishlist. I never know I would get this opportunity so early in my career. It feels incredible and I am really looking forward to the film," Vikrant told IANS. The actor says he is lucky to get an opportunity to collaborate with Deepika and Meghna.

"At the same time collaborating with them and getting to know them personally makes me feel really lucky. Both of them are great human beings. With Meghnaji is was a great learning experience," he added.

3. Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao

After making us laugh for all the right reasons in Badhaai Ho, actors Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao will be seen sharing the screen space in Ayushmann Khurrana's gay love story Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. The film is the second part of 2017 film Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. After the success of Aanand L. Rai's Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" which addressed the subject of erectile dysfunction with humour, the second installment of the franchise will delve upon the issue of homosexuality. The film is being written and directed by Hitesh Kewalya. Rai of Colour Yellow Productions is happy to work with Neena and Gajraj.

"With 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan', we chose to explore a novel subject in an unusually unexpected setting," Rai said in a statement.

"A unique story like this needed talents like Neenaji and Gajraj Rao and I'm so happy to have them onboard," he added. The film is scheduled to release early next year.

4. Priyanka Chopra and Rajkummar Rao

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rajkummar Rao have already started shooting for the screen adaptation of Arvind Adiga's The White Tiger, which is most likely to release on Netflix. Netflix will be producing the project based on Man Booker Prize-winning novel in association with Mukul Deora while Chopra Jonas will serve as executive producer. The film will mark the acting debut of Adarsh Gourav, will be directed by Ramin Bahrani of "Fahrenheit 451" and "99 Homes" fame. Bahrani is also writing the screenplay.

Adiga's book follows the extraordinary journey of a self-made man from tea-shop worker in a village to successful entrepreneur in a big city. Murder, love and deceit become the ultimate price for ambition. Priyanka Chopra and Rajkummar Rao are currently shooting for the film in New Delhi.

5. Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan

In March, the news of Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan uniting for Imtiaz Ali's sequel to his romantic drama Love Aaj Kal was confirmed.

It's a coincidence that it was Sara's father, Saif Ali Khan, who had played the male lead in Ali's 2009 film opposite Deepika Padukone. Kartik had confirmed the news by saying, "He (Imtiaz) is one of my favorite filmmakers and I have always wanted to work with him. I am glad it's finally happening."

The news of Sara and Kartik starring together came as a treat for the fans of two young stars, who have been keen to see them pair up after Sara admitted to having a crush on Kartik on Karan Johar's TV show.Kartik and Sara were reportedly dating but because of professional reasons, they recently chose to move ahead in different ways. There has been no confirmation on their dating or break up status but their PDA on social media told a different story. The sequel has been majorly shot in Delhi and Punjab. The sequel will also star Randeep Hooda in lead role.

6. Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi

Delhi girl Sanjana Sanghi was roped in to play the female lead opposite Sushant Singh Rajput in the Hindi remake of The Fault In Our Stars. Sanjana began her Bollywood journey with Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar and she played Mandy (Nargis Fakhri's younger sister) in the movie.

The film is being produced and presented by Fox Star Studios also marks feature film directorial debut of casting director Mukesh Chabbra

Confirming the news, Mukesh Chabbra said, "I met Sanjana first during the casting of 'Rockstar'. She was a young and dynamic girl with great energy. After a few years she reconnected for a few ad casting jobs - she came across as a mature young lady and to my surprise she was a fabulous actor. I was instantly sure that I would love to make a film with her one day. Once 'The Fault in Our Stars' script was ready, she fitted right in, the perfect face. I can't wait to create magic with this talented girl." The film is based on John Green's bestselling novel of the same name. Actors Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort featured in the Hollywood adaptation of the novel.

7. Saif Ali Khan and Tabu

In May 2019, it was announced that Tabu has joined the cast of light-hearted family comedy, Jawaani Jaaneman, featuring Saif Ali Khan. The actors are reuniting after a gap of 20 years. The last worked in "Hum Saath Saath Hain". They have also worked in "Tu Chor Main Sipahi" (1996).

Saif is co-producing the film under his banner Black Knight Films, along with Pooja Entertainment and Northern Lights Films.

A coming-of-age film, Jawaani Jaaneman will be a comic take on how a man confronts the harsh reality of his life. "Tabu is a brilliant actor. This part is really funny on paper and I'm so pleased she has agreed to play it as now it will be hysterical. I'm really looking forward to it." Saif said in a statement. The film's 45-day-long first schedule was shot in London.

8. Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor

Actor Janhvi Kapoor has been roped in to feature in Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma starrer horror comedy, Rooh-Afza. The film will be directed by Hardik Mehta and co-produced by Dinesh Vijan and Mrighdeep Sing Lamba. The film revolves around a singing ghost who puts grooms to sleep so it can possess their brides. Every time there is a wedding in town, local women come together to keep the groom awake through the first night in a bid to avoid the wrath of the ghost.

Rajkummar Rao had once admitted that he was impressed by the professionalism and hardwork of newcomer Janhvi Kapoor.

Shooting on the horror comedy is currently underway in Agra after the crew completed their Manali schedule. The Hardik Mehta-directed film marks maiden collaboration between Rajkummar and Janhvi.

Talking about his experience of working with the young actor, Rajkummar said in a statement, "Janhvi is phenomenal. She is such a sincere and hardworking actor. I think what we have seen her in 'Dhadak' is just a hint of her talent, she is way more talented than that." The film is slated to release on March 20, 2020.

9. Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani

Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani will be seen in Laxmmi Bomb. The film is an official Hindi remake of 2011 Tamil horror comedy Kanchana. The film took a controversial turn in May after director Raghav Lawrence exited the project over disrespect and creative differences that was triggered after Akshay shared the first poster of the film.

The filmmaker, however, reconsidered his decision and again came on board after a meeting with the producers. Produced by Cape of Good Films, Fox Star Studios, Tusshar Kapoor and Shabina Khan, the film will release on Eid next year.

10. Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday

Newbies Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday will be seen sharing the screen space for the first time in Khaali Peeli. Ishaan had shared the first look poster of the film where he was seen flaunting six pack abs and a stern look on his face. On the poster, he was seen standing with his hand around Ananya¡¯s shoulder.

The duo was seen standing beside a taxi parked behind them. The film will revolve around their one night journey and will be set in Mumbai. The name of the film has a Mumbai connection as the taxis are popularly called ¡®kaali peeli (black and yellow cabs)¡¯. The Maqbool Khan directorial will release on June 12, 2020.

11. Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapoor

After Kalank, Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapoor are reuniting for Bhatt's 'Sadak 2'. The film is a sequel to 1991, will be directed by veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Confirming the news, "The roads will intersect once again. Sadak 2 in cinemas on 10th July, 2020," the studio posted on its official Twitter account.

Mahesh Bhatt, who also directed the original film, is returning to the director's chair after almost two decades with the follow-up. It also marks his first collaboration with daughter Alia. Just to jog your memory a little, Sadak revolved around a taxi driver (Sanjay) trying to rescue the woman he loves (Pooja) from a brothel. It also featured Sadashiv Amrapurkar as Maharani, brothel's owner and Soni Razdan, Bhatt's wife. The film will hit theatres next year on July 10. It was earlier supposed to release on March 25, 2020.