New Delhi: When Priyadarshan confirms a new film with Akshay Kumar, it is information, certainly. The veteran filmmaker, box-office wizard and National Award winner, has in any case delivered rib-tickling comedies like “Hera Pheri”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, “Garam Masala” and “Bhagam Bhag” with the Bollywood famous person.
Confirming his upcoming collaboration with Akshay, Priyadarshan instructed IANS: “Yes that is happening next year. It was supposed to happen this year but got pushed. We start shooting next year.”
Quizzed if their new film is a comedy, the filmmaker replied: “It will be a comedy film. I don’t want to take any more risks. Let me entertain my audience. So far, the films in which we both worked have been very successful. Those were almost 70 per cent humorous films with a nice emotional ending.”
Before his film with Akshay, Priyan, as he is extensively identified to pals and colleagues, is busy readying his new film “Hungama 2” for launch. The comedy options Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Meezaan Jaffrey and Pranitha Subhash. The filmmaker clarifies the film is not an extension of his 2004 hit “Hungama”.
“It is not a continuation of Hungama. It is a different story treated in the same way as Hungama. There are confusions, situations, comedy of errors and slapstick but the plot is completely different. It will be a laugh riot, I believe,” he mentioned.
Priyadarshan’s identify is synonymous with entertaining comedy movies. What are his secret elements?
“It is very difficult to make people laugh. It is the most difficult thing to create situations and confusions. Because, the moment it becomes buffoonery, the film will be in bad taste. It should look believable and genuine. Maintaining that balance is important,” he replied.
Just like many different movies, “Hungama 2” is additionally releasing on an OTT platform as an alternative of a theatrical launch amid the continued pandemic. Would he miss the massive display expertise?
“I wish I could release it in the theatres, sit with the audience and enjoy it. I belong to the old school. I have corrected myself by sitting with the crowd and watching my films, by observing what they like and what they don’t like. I am going to miss that learning process,” the filmmaker expressed, including: “But even on OTT, everybody from the grandfather to the grandson can sit together and laugh. There is no vulgarity or double meaning in this film. It will be absolutely enjoyable. Comedy films are meant for mass viewing because laughter is contagious.”
With the pandemic affecting our lives in each potential approach, is comedy the necessity of the hour for our emotional wellbeing? “We know how the economy is affected, how people have lost their money, lost their jobs. How they are struggling not to go out and staying locked in their homes. What is there to smile about? In these times, I feel a comedy film can be a very good medicine,” the director mentioned.
Priyadarshan, nevertheless, doesn’t really feel OTT platforms will exchange cinema halls fully. “Definitely OTT is popular but films like Titanic, Baahubali or Avatar, which are meant for the big screen — you can’t watch these on your phone. You can’t enjoy the visuals. Another reason is, in our country, the cheapest entertainment for a common man, especially the middle class, is taking out the family to the cinema. Also, the pleasure of going to the theatre with your friends and family, you cannot get that pleasure by sitting at home and watching the film on your phone. So, theatres will survive all over the world despite the great impact of OTT platforms,” he opined.
Priyadarshan’s new directorial “Hungama 2” is slated to launch on Disney+ Hotstar on July 23.
