From SRK-Taapsee to Ayushmann-Ananya: First time on-screen Bollywood pairings in 2023

• 2023 has a series of superstar-studded releases lined up, including three Shah Rukh Khan films - two of which will feature him with a new co-star.
  
• Bollywood will also see new next-gen on-screen couples, namely Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday.
  
• Bollywood will see as many as 8 new on-screen movie pairs in 2023.

Bollywood is gearing up to fight for lost ground in 2023. As stiff competition from OTT and regional cinema bit off a large chunk from Bollywood’s box-office earnings in 2022, Bollywood was forced to rethink its strategies to draw back the audiences.

While the industry is hoping the return of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan to the silver screen after a hiatus will do the trick, it’s also trying other things to draw the crowds. One of them is to feature never-before-seen on-screen pairings of lead actors in many of the upcoming movies. Bollywood is hoping the chemistry between these fresh on-screen pairings will sizzle up ticket sales next year.

Here’s a look at the on-screen pairings that will be seen for the first time ever in 2023:

1. Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu: Dunki

Shah Rukh Khan has been Bollywood’s king of romance for over two decades. And now he’ll be sharing screen space with actor Taapsee Pannu in Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming drama, Dunki. As of now, not much has been revealed about the film’s plot or characters, but the film is scheduled to release by the end of 2023.

2. Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor: Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

Actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor are all set to star as the lead pair in director Luv Ranjan’s upcoming romantic comedy, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. The film’s poster and title were recently revealed on social media. Not only is this the first time Ranbir and Shraddha are sharing screen space, it’s also the first time the two are collaborating with director Luv Ranjan.

3. Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna: Animal

After Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is returning with another crime drama, Animal. As per reports, it will star first-time co-actors Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. Originally, Kapoor was supposed to co-star with Parineeti Chopra in the film, but Chopra reportedly walked out of the film to take up Imtiaz Ali’s Chamkila.

4. Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday: Dream Girl 2

After delivering the hit Dream Girl in 2019, Ayushmann Khurrana is returning for its sequel - directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa. However, his co-lead from the first film, Nushrratt Bharuccha has been replaced by Ananya Panday in the sequel. Khurrana and Panday are coming together for the first time in Dream Girl 2, scheduled to release on June 29, 2023.

5. Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor: Bawaal

Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor are all set to romance each other on screen for the first time, in the upcoming romantic comedy Bawaal. The film has been directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who previously delivered hits like Dangal and Chhichhore. Some reports have stated that the film, which has been shot in Paris, Berlin and Poland, among other regions, is one of Dhawan’s most expensive films to date. It’s being produced by Nadiadwala Grandson and EarthSky Pictures.

6. Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna: Mission Majnu

Netflix’s upcoming action drama, Mission Majnu, brings together actors Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika Mandana for the first time on screen. The film, directed by Shantanu Bagchi, is touted as the “untold story of India's greatest covert operation” and will release on January 20, 2023.

7. Vicky Kaushal and Sanya Malhotra: Sam Bahadur

Actor Vicky Kaushal, who previously worked with director Meghna Gulzar in the hit spy action-thriller Raazi, is collaborating with her again to play the titular role in the upcoming biopic, Sam Bahadur. Based on the life of war hero and India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the film stars Sanya Malhotra as his wife, Siloo Manekshaw. The film also stars Fatima Sana Shaikh, who will play India’s former PM, Indira Gandhi.

8. Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara/Sanya Malhotra: Jawan

Shah Rukh Khan is returning with three movies in 2023 - one of which is director Atlee’s Jawan. Jawan also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra, and Nayanthara. As of now, there is no confirmation on who will play Khan’s romantic lead in the film. However, certain reports state that Khan may have a double role in the film - which opens up the possibility of both Nayanthara and Malhotra being Khan’s co-leads. Both of them will be sharing screen space with SRK for the first time.

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