Sandalwood film fest this January

So what if 2012 ended with the least number of releases ever in Sandalwood, this January, there's a slew of big films boasting of well-known actors and technicians that are queuing up for release. While the first weekend of 2013 didn't really have any new film hitting the screens, the ending of the inauspicious Dhanur masa will mark the film fest for Sandalwood fans, with Sankranti bringing in new hope.Here's a look at the many films that are vying for a theatrical release this month:
Lakshmi
This Shivarajkumar-Priya Mani film is confirmed as the first release of 2013. The film will release on Sankranti day and both the actors are looking for hits, considering their last releases didn't fare well at the box office.
Varadanayaka
This film is slated to hit the screens a week after Lakshmi's release. While this film is meant to be a career booster for Chiranjeevi Sarja from his mentor Sudeep, Kannada film fans are also waiting eagerly to see Sudeep's special role, since he didn't have a single release in 2012.
Charminar
This R Chandru film has Prem playing the typical hero who loves with all his heart. He is paired opposite Meghana Gaonkar for the first time in this film and the songs have already become big hits.
Galaate
This film will again bring a fresh pairing in Sandalwood. It will see Prajwal Devaraj and Kriti Kharbanda as the lead pair and is supposed to be an out-and-out entertainer.
Sakkare
This film too will have a first time pairing. It will have Ganesh romancing Deepa Sannidhi and is supposed to be a complete romantic entertainer.
Central Jail
2011's favourite debutant Srikanth of Olave Mandara fame will return to the big screen with this film, which is supposed to be a raw, gutsy flick.