Bollywood hopes for a summer splash post-IPL

With curtains on the IPL cricket tournament, Bollywood is all set to buzz with activity as a slew of big-budget movies with nearly Rs 350 crore riding on them slated for release.

As the over month long tournament grabbed eye balls, major releases were held back. The first biggie lined up for release is Sajid Nadiadwala's comic caper Housefull on April 30.

Yash Raj films' Badmash Company starring Shahid Kapur and Anushka Sharma will hit the screens on May seven, Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer Kites on May 21, followed by Prakash Jha's political thriller Raajneeti on June 4 and Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan' on June 18.

Trade analyst Amod Mehra told PTI that the film industry will be closely watching the performance of these big releases. "Stakes are high for the industry reeling under recession, high production costs and films flopping at regular intervals. At least Rs 350 crore is riding on these summer releases," he said.

The first look of Raavan has already created a buzz and the film's music will be launched in Mumbai tomorrow. Abhishek and Aishwarya will be seen together in a movie after three years. Their last film with Mani Ratnam was Guru and soon after the release the two actors were engaged to get married.

In Raavan, Abhishek will be seen in a negative role while Aishwarya has been paired opposite Tamil superstar Vikram. It was speculated that Abhishek plays the character of the Naxalite leader Kobad Gandy but the actor refuted it on his micro blogging account Twitter.

In Prakash Jha's Raajneeti a lot has been said about Katrina Kaif's character of a widow who takes a plunge into politics and that it was inspired from UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. But, its director said there was nothing in common between the two, except they both looked beautiful in a saree. Jha has planned rallies across seven cities where the cast and crew will travel to colleges for a discussion on current issues and subjects with relevance to the youth.

"We would ask the students why aren't the educated youth coming forth to actively participate in politics? Why isn't it considered a career choice," he said. The promotional rallies will be held between May 10 and 24. Mexican beauty Barbara Mori is already in Mumbai and will join the promotional campaign of 'Kites' which is expected to start next week.

"Kites will be Hrithik Roshan's first film in two years after Jodhaa Akbar. He was last seen in a special appearance in Luck by Chance last year. Housefull has been directed by Sajid Khan and has a host of actors like Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone among others.