Filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Akshay Kumar are collaborating yet again for a fantasy horror film.
Filmmaker Priyadarshan is known for his brand of cinema in both Malayalam and Hindi cinema. Some of his most notable Bollywood films include Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, De Dana Dan and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Now adding to the excitement, he is all set to kick off work on his next film, which will also be his reunion with Akshay Kumar after 14 years.
The filmmaker-actor duo have previously delivered several hits together, including Hera Pheri (2000) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). So, clearly, their upcoming collaboration is bound to make headlines, and fans are eager to know more details about the film.
Speaking how he will soon kick off the film with Akshay, the filmmaker confirmed to Hindustan Times during an interview, “Now that I am done with my docu-series on the Ram Mandir’s history, my most important film on which I am beginning work is the one with Akshay, produced by Ekta Kapoor. It is a horror fantasy with humour.”
Clearly, fans might wonder that the upcoming horror comedy film might be on the lines of Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). However, the maverick director refuted any such claims and said, “That was a psychological thriller, but this one will be fantasy, in the backdrop of black magic, the oldest superstition of India. It is always a pleasure collaborating with Akshay. From our first film, to this one, it has always turned out well with him, he handles the emotions so well. I was waiting for a good subject to get back with him, and this one I feel will be that.”
The filmmaker himself remade the Malayalam film Ramaji Rao Speaking (1989) into Hera Pheri, and now his two cult films are getting a third installment in their respective franchises, namely, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Hera Pheri 3.
Albeit, he says that he is not a huge fan of remakes because the first film is always the best, like Hera Pheri. “It will always be good, you can make whatever second or third parts. People will always say they liked the original. In sequels, makers exploit the success of that market. There’s nothing wrong in doing that. The world over people make sequels. Terminator 2 was bigger than Terminator 1, the former was made by another director. I, somehow, don’t like to do sequels,” he was quoted as saying.
When questioned about his own decision for remakes, Priyadarshan signed off by saying that he never remakes films only for his satisfaction. “As a maker, I have tried horror, comedy, romance. I know when I make certain films they are meant for an audiences who likes realistic films, while some are for the common man. I always make sure my films have no double meaning, or content that cannot be watched by parents with their children,” he quipped.
Priyadarshan’s last film credits in 2023 were Appatha and Corona Papers.
