Priyadarshan on reuniting with Akshay Kumar

Yas Island: Filmmaker Priyadarshan says he is thrilled to work again with Akshay Kumar, star of his comedies like ‘Hera Pheri“,”Bhool Bhulaiyaa” And “Bhagam Bhag“, for the horror comedy”Bhoot Bangla” after a break of 14 years.

Their last film together was “Khatta Meetha“, a political satire from 2010.

“Every film I did with him was a superhit. People say you are the reason Akshay (does comedy) but I don’t believe in all these things. I took advantage of his sense of humor (on screen).

“We are working after 14 years and I hope it works. It’s a challenge. We can’t live up to (audience’s) expectations, but I’m trying my best,” said the filmmaker PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the IIFA Awards here.

Priyadarshan told Kumar, with whom he has also worked, “De Dana Dan” And “Garam masala“, is a “director’s delight”.

“He is a disciplined actor. According to Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan), he is a man who is a dedicated actor and comes on time. He listens to the director,” he said.

The veteran director is also looking forward to the release of the third part of the horror-comedy series.Bhool Bhulaiyaa“, which will hit the big screens this Diwali festival.

“Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3The film is directed by Anees Bazmee, who also directed the 2022 sequel. The second part was a spiritual sequel to Priyadarshan’s 2007 film of the same name, which starred Kumar and Vidya Balan.

“Anees Bazmee has done a good job with the second part of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’. I think he will do well in the third part too,” said Priyadarshan.

While the first part of the franchise was directed by Kumar, Kartik Aaryan was a part of the second ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’.

For the third installment, Aaryan has reprised his role as Rooh Baba, who has to face the ghost of Manjulika, the iconic character played by Balan, star of the original 2007 ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’.

Triptii Dimri is the new entry in the franchise while Tabu and Kiara Advani were the lead actresses of the second part.

Priyadarshan said he was “not interested” in making sequels to his own films. However, he was asked to direct the second part of his hit films, including “Hungama“,”Malamaal Weekly“,”Garam masala“, And “De Dana Dhan“.

“I believe a film can be made (only) once, and if the film works really well, people enjoy it. Expectations (are there), maybe you get the first ones (audience numbers), but there’s always that thing that ‘it worked’. “It doesn’t live up to the expectations of the first part.”

“That is the criticism we are faced with. I think it’s better to make a movie than sequels. I prefer other people to make sequels (of my films).” At the IIFA Utsavam on Friday evening, Priyadarshan was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema Award.