Had the pandemic been under control, January would have seen quite a few releases, with many more to go.
But with COVID cases rising, the films are piling up even as Bollywood continues to make more.
Joginder Tuteja looks at stars with the most movies in the pipeline.
Taapsee Pannu
Looop Lapeta, Shabaash Mithu, Do Baaraa, Blurr, Woh Ladki Hai Khan, Mishan Impossible
If things go as per plan, Taapsee will have the maximum count of 2022 releases amongst her contemporaries.
Looop Lapeta is all set for a February OTT release while Shabaash Mithu is ready for a theatrical release.
She has completed shooting for her supernatural films, Anurag Kashyap's Do Baaraa and Ajay Bahl's Blurr, her maiden production venture.
She steps in a light-hearted with Pratik Gandhi with Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan.
Taapsee will also make a comeback to Telugu cinema after four years with Mishan Impossible.
Alia Bhatt
RRR, Gangubai Kathaiwadi, Brahmastra, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, Jee Le Zaraa
If not for the current situation, Alia would have been busy promoting her back-to-back releases, RRR and Gangubai Kathaiwadi.
She also has Brahmastra coming up in the latter part of the year.
Then, there's Karan Johar's 2023 release Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani with Ranveer Singh.
Farhan Akhtar's road film, Jee Le Zaraa with Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif is yet to go on the floors.
Kriti Sanon
Bachchan Pandey, Adipurush, Ganapath - Chapter 1, Shehzada, Bhediya
Her fortunes have changed big time post Mimi and now, Kriti already has five major films lined up for release in 2022.
While Bachchan Pandey and Adipurush are ready, Bhediya is approaching the finishing line too.
Ganapath - Chapter 1 with Tiger Shroff and Shehzada with Kartik Aaryan are making brisk progress to be in line for a late 2022 arrival.
Kiara Advani
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Jug Jug Jeeyo, Govinda Naam Mera, Karram Kurram
Kiara had an eventful 2021 when her Shershaah turned into a huge OTT success.
Now she has as many as eight films lined up, out of which three -- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Jug Jug Jeeyo, Govinda Naam Mera -- will release this year.
She's doing quite a few South films in 2023-2024, like Ram Charan Teja's next and NTR Jr's next.
She may also star in Shankar's next, opposite Ranveer Singh.
Her 2023 Bollywood line-up is Ashutosh Gowariker's Karram Kurram and Sajid Nadiadwala's next with Kartik Aaryan.
Rakul Singh
Cinderella, Attack, Thank God, Runway 34, Doctor G, Chhatriwali, Ayalaan, Indian 2, Konda Polam, October 31st Ladies Night.
Rakul has a long line-up for 2022-2023 too.
There's her thriller with Akshay Kumar, Cinderella, the John Abraham starrer Attack, Indra Kumar's Thank God with Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra, Ajay Devgn's Runway 34, the Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Doctor G and and her quirky social comedy, Chhatriwali.
Most of these films are either complete or nearing the finish line.
She has a few south films too like Ayalaan, Indian 2, Konda Polam, October 31st Ladies Night.
Jacqueline Fernandez
Bachchan Pandey, Attack, Ram Setu, Vikrant Rona, Cirkus
Had she not been in the line of fire with her recent controversy, 2022 would have been a remarkable year for Jacqueline professionally, courtesy five confirmed releases -- Attack with John Abraham, Vikrant Ronawith Sudeep and Bachchan Pandey with Akshay Kumar.
The year will end with biggies like Akshay's Ram Setu and the Ranveer Singh-starrer Cirkus.
Janhvi Kapoor
Good Luck Jerry, Mili, Mr & Mrs Mahi
After delivering the first box office success of 2021, Roohi, Janhvi is getting ready for the release of three back-to-back films, where she plays the title role.
Aanand L Rai's light-hearted production Good Luck Jerry as well as the thriller Mili, produced by Janhvi's father Boney Kapoor, are ready for release.
She will begin shooting for Mr & Mrs Mahi next.
Bhumi Pednekar
Badhaai Do, Raksha Bandhan, Govinda Naam Mera, The Ladykiller
Bhumi has as many as four releases coming up in 2022.
There's Badhaai Do with Rajkummar Rao, Raksha Bandhan with Akshay Kumar and Govinda Naam Mera with Vicky Kaushal.
That will be followed by the suspense drama, The Ladykiller with Arjun Kapoor.
Deepika Padukone
Gehraiyaan, Pathan
Deepika has been picking films selectively, and it starts with her OTT debut Gehraiyaan.
The film is directed by Shakun Batra of Kapoor & Sons fame and is expected to be a sensitive take on relationships.
Then, there's the big budget extravaganza Pathan opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
Ananya Pandey
Gehraiyaan, Liger, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan
Ananya also stars in Gehrayiaan.
Ananya stars with her Gehrayiaan co-star Siddhant Chaturvedi in Zoya Akhtar's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
Then, there's her Karan Johar production, Liger, opposite Vijay Deverakonda.
Katrina Kaif
Phone Bhoot, Merry Christmas, Jee Le Zaraa
Katrina heads into a comedy zone with Phone Bhoot and then indulge into some thrills with Sriram Raghavan's Merry Christmas.
But the wait is on for Jee Le Zaraa where she gets into a slice-of-life arena again after Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara.
