Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
‘Can’t survive in Bollywood without entertainment’
Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan who will be returning to Hindi cinema with Hungama 2, after a gap of seven years, says he kept away from Bollywood as he felt there was not much scope for experimentation.
Known for films like Hera Pheri (2000), Hungama (2003), Bhool Bhulaiyya (2007), Khatta Meetha (2010) and many others, the Kerala based filmmaker feels that Bollywood’s affinity to mass entertainers can be creatively stiffling.
“I take cinema in South seriously. I don’t put seriousness in Bollywood movies, as people here want entertainment even if it has no meaning. One cannot survive in Bollywood without focusing on entertainment,” says Priyadarshan.
Citing the example of his National Award winning film Kanchivaram (2008), which revolved around a poor weaver’s plight, the director says, “In Hindi film industry, the maximum one can do is try and make a film like Badhaai Ho (2018) or Andhadhun (2018), but if I want to make something of the level of Kanchivaram it is impossible.”
Priyadarshan believes his last few years weren’t the best phase in his life, which he says adversely impacted his work.
Having made his directorial debut in Hindi with the 1992 film Muskurahat, Priyadarshan later went on to direct critically-acclaimed dramas Gardish and Virasat. He however, became a popular name in North India with his comedies such as Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Bhagam Bhag, Malamaal Weekly and Chup Chup Ke. These films made him a pioneer in the genre but it also pigeonholed him into that particular genre.
Talking about the same, he says,“I started here with movies like Gardish (1993) and Virasat (1997), but because of Hera Pheri, I got fixed into this block of comedy films. Now, I have decided that I will do my experimental cinema in South and entertainers in Bollywood.” About his returning back to Bollywood and that too with his favourite genre, the 62-year-old director says that it was just because the producers believed that no one could replace him in that space.
“When people tell me that my films make them smile, I feel like I’m doing a social service. So I don’t feel bad about being famous for comedies,” he concludes.