Throwback: When Priyadarshan considered quitting comedy films
What's the story
Famous filmmaker Priyadarshan, whose comic gems Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and De Dana Dan, among others, are still adored, once thought of quitting the genre.
In a 1997 interview, he declared Chandralekha would be his last pure comedy.
He told Rediff, "Chandralekha will be my last comedy film. Hereafter, my films will have humor but no comedy. I am not interested in comedy any more."
Career transition
Priyadarshan's shift to serious filmmaking
After the success of his comedy films, Priyadarshan turned his attention to serious films like Kaalapani (1996) and Virasat (1997).
He said, "However good the comedies are, nobody will accept a good comedy director as a good director. That is the sad part of it," he had said.
"Nobody knows who directed the Laurel and Hardy movies. They know only Laurel and Hardy. Directors will never get a good name if they direct a comedy film."
Criticism
'Most of them hide their faces and laugh a lot...'
Priyadarshan also stressed how difficult it is to make people laugh, saying how critics usually dismiss a successful comedy.
He lamented, "But it is the most difficult thing to do — to make people laugh. After laughing a lot, they (the critics) will brush aside the film as 'just another comedy.'"
He added, "I felt bad when I learned I was not taken seriously and ridiculed, even after all those hits."
Future project
Priyadarshan's upcoming film: 'Bhooth Bangla'
Priyadarshan still remains an influential voice in Indian cinema. His next, Bhooth Bangla, is much awaited.
The film will star Wamiqa Gabbi, Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Paresh Rawal in lead roles.
Produced by Balaji Telefilms and Kumar's Cape of Good Films, Bhooth Bangla releases on April 2, 2026.