A number of Bollywood films have confirmed their theatrical release dates in the past two days as life appears to be returning to normalcy in India after nearly one year of lockdown, disruption and uncertainty due to the pandemic.

Cinemas across several Indian states were shuttered as part of the lockdown restrictions imposed by the Indian government in March 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Some high-profile Bollywood films including Amitabh Bachchan – Ayushmann Khurrana starrer “Gulabo Sitabo” and Akshay Kumar’s “Laxmmi” abandoned their plans for a theatrical release and opted to premiere on streaming platforms. But the majority of producers and distributors pushed back their release dates and played the waiting game.

Cinemas were allowed to open their doors in November 2020 upon implementing several Covid-safety measuring including making masks mandatory for staff and audiences and restricting the seating capacity to 50%.

In South India, a number of films featuring big stars including “Krack”, “Master” and “Eeswaran” released in cinemas in January 2021 and drew audiences in large numbers back to the theatres, marking a resurrection of business and providing hope and inspiration to film industries from other states.

On 1 February, the Indian government allowed cinemas and theatres across the country to extend their seating capacity from the existing 50% to 100%.

Over the past few days, the theatrical release dates have been confirmed for the following Bollywood films:

Bell Bottom – This spy thriller, starring Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Lara Dutta, was the first Bollywood film to start and complete filming during the pandemic in August and September 2020. Filming took place in Glasgow and London amidst a surging second wave in the UK. Bell Bottom is set to release in cinemas on 28 May 2021.

83 – This Kabir Khan (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) directorial focusses on the Indian cricket team that had won the 1983 World Cup against all odds. The sports drama features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saqib Saleem, Ammy Virk, Harrdy Sandhu, Jiiva and Amrita Puri. 83 is scheduled to release on 4 June 2021.

Shershaah – Sidharth Malhotra portrays Indian armyman Captain Vikram Batra, who laid down his life at the Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1991, in this film directed by Tamil filmmaker Vishnuvardhan (Billa) in his Bollywood debut. Shershaah also stars Kiara Advani. The film is set to release on 2 July 2021.

Studio giant Yash Raj Films announced its slate of films for 2021 in an Instagram post. The slate includes long-delayed Arjun Kapoor-Parineeti Chopra starrer “Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar“, “Bunty Aur Babli” sequel, Ranbir Kapoor’s “Shamshera“, Ranvir Singh’s “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” and Akshay Kumar’s “Prithviraj” that marks the Bollywood debut of Manushi Chhillar, the winner of Miss World 2017.

Jhund – The Amitabh Bachchan-starrer is based on the life of Vijay Barse, social worker and founder of NGO Slum Soccer. Directed by Nagraj Popatrao Manjule (Sairat), the sports drama is set to release on 18 June 2021.