Mumbai, July 11 (IANS)| When Priyadarshan confirms a new film with Akshay Kumar, it is indeed news. Veteran filmmaker, box-office magician and National Award winner Priyadarshan has delivered stellar comedies like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Garam Masala’ and ‘Bhagam Bhaag’ with the Bollywood superstar.Confirming his upcoming collaboration with Akshay, Priyadarshan told IANS, “Yes, it is happening next year. It was supposed to happen this year, but has been pushed. We will start shooting next year.”
When asked if his 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 we both have done They have been very successful. They were almost 70 per cent comedies with good emotional endings.”Ahead of her film with Akshay, Priyan, as she is widely known to friends and colleagues, is busy preparing her new film Hungama 2 for release. The comedy film stars Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Meezaan Jaffrey and Pranitha Subhash. The filmmaker clarified that the film is not an extension of his 2004 hit ‘Hungama’.
He said, “It is not a continuation of Hungama. It is a different story just like Hungama. There is confusion, situations, comedy of errors and slapstick but the plot is completely different. It will be a laugh riot, I believe.”Priyadarshan’s name is synonymous with entertaining comedy films. What are its secret ingredients?He replied “It is very difficult to make people laugh. Creating situations and confusion is the hardest thing to do. Because, the moment it becomes a buzzword, the film will be in bad taste. It has to look believable and real. It is important to maintain balance.”Like many other films, ‘Hungama 2’ is also releasing on an OTT platform instead of a theatrical release amid the ongoing pandemic. Will he miss the big screen experience?
The filmmaker said, “I wish I could release it in theatres, sit with the audience and enjoy it. I belong to the old school. I enjoyed sitting with the crowd and watching my films, seeing what they liked and what they didn’t.” I have corrected myself. I am missing that learning process. But even on OTT, everyone from grandfather to grandson can sit and laugh together. There is no vulgarity or double meaning in this film. . It will be utterly enjoyable. Comedy films are meant to be watched in a big way because laughter is contagious.”
The pandemic is affecting our lives in every possible way, is comedy the need of the hour for our emotional wellbeing? The director said “We know how the economy has been affected, how people have lost their money, lost their jobs. How they are struggling to go out and stay locked in their homes. What to smile about. In these times, I feel a comedy film can be a very good medicine.”
However, Priyadarshan does not think that OTT platforms will completely replace cinema halls. He said “OTT of course OTT is popular but movies like Titanic, Baahubali or Avatar, which are meant for the big screen – you can’t watch them on your phone. You can’t enjoy the scenes. The second reason is, in our country. , The cheapest entertainment for the common man especially the middle class is to take the family to the theatre. Also, the pleasure of going to the theater with your friends and family, you cannot get by sitting at home watching a movie on your phone So, despite the great influence of OTT platforms, theaters will survive all over the world.”Priyadarshan’s newly directed film Hungama 2 will release on July 23 on Disney+ Hotstar.
(Disclaimer: This news has been published directly from news agency’s Syndicate feed. It has not been edited by AnyTV News team.)