Image credit : @shwetakaur1 via pinterest
Two of Bollywood’s most reliable leading men will have an important year, and this time, instead of dates, it’s about genre. Both of these are among the most ambitious efforts in Hindi cinema that are being helmed by Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan.
A Landmark Year
Both actors are a part of Ormax Media’s top 5 list of the male stars of 2025, along with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar. Of these four names, four have held the top position for almost 6 years, and it will be known how close these names are to Hindi cinema.
A New Chapter
This is the first time Hrithik is behind the camera. The movie will be Krrish 4, directed by him for the superhero franchise that his father Rakesh Roshan started decades ago. Rakesh has confirmed that the script is locked, and pre-production is underway.
Legacy Continues
The film Krrish 4 is a continuation of the story that started with Koi Mil Gaya in 2003, and then Krrish in 2006, and the third sequel Krish 3 in 2013. The production will be handled by Rakesh Roshan and Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films and will get a new head with the duo directing the film, which will have a much larger global canvas.
A Personal Journey
Hrithik’s relationship with the camera dates back further than one might think. He got his first taste of direction at the age of 17 in Karan Arjun when he acted as an assistant director with his father in the film, and well before he became the face of the Krrish franchise. It now seems like a logical progression to make directing.
Whats Next
The pre-production activities for Krrish 4 are underway in full swing, and the shooting will likely commence in mid-2026 and continue through the year. The film is in the planning stages, with Rakesh Roshan expecting to release the movie in 2027.
Ranbir as Rama
Ranbir Kapoor has donned the guise of Lord Rama in the two-part film adaptation of Ramayana (Part 1) directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The first teaser, Rama, released on Hanuman Jayanti, provided fans with the first real glimpse of the scale and tone of the film.
A Massive Cast
Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, and Ravi Dubey will reunite in Ramayana as Sita, Ravana, Hanuman, and Lakshman, respectively. Ranbir has a double role as Parshurama, who has been training for a year for both roles.
Sound of An Epic
Starring the first collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, one of the most exciting aspects of Ramayana is the score. Filmed for IMAX screens, both Part 1 and Part 2 will be released at the Diwali festival in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Bhansali Magic
Ranbir is also part of the cast of Love and War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which also stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The film is a passion, pride, and conflict saga with Ranbir reuniting with the director who gave him his first major break in Saawariya almost 20 years ago.
Two Paths Ahead
As Hrithik prepares to overhaul the Krrish franchise as a director, Ranbir is supporting one of the biggest mythological films in Indian film history. It’s great superhero fun vs epic ancient mythological tale, and that’s why 2026 is worth the time of day.
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