📌 Key Points
- Priyadarshan feels ‘forced’ to make comedy films despite preferring serious cinema.
- He believes comedy filmmakers are often not taken seriously in the industry.
- Priyadarshan highlights the rarity of comedy films winning Oscars.
- His upcoming film ‘Haiwaan’ stars Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar, reuniting after 17 years.
Director Priyadarshan, known for comedies like ‘Hera Pheri’, reveals he’s often compelled to make them, favoring serious films. He laments the industry’s undervaluation of comedy, noting the lack of recognition at major awards.
Priyadarshan’s Preference for Serious Cinema
Filmmaker Priyadarshan is widely known for making audiences laugh with films such as Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and many others. However, in a recent interview with Pinkvilla, the director revealed that he is often “forced” to make comedy films, even though he personally prefers directing serious cinema like Kaalapaani and Kanchivaram.
The director further spoke about how filmmakers who specialise in comedy are often looked down upon in the industry. “I love making films like Kanchivaram and Kaalapaani because there I will be accepted more as a filmmaker in the film fraternity,” he said. “Even internationally this issue exists. They look at you as a joker when you make comedy films. That is why you rarely find comedy films winning an Oscar. This is very sad, but it’s the reality.”
The Industry’s View on Comedy Filmmakers
At the same time, he has also earned critical acclaim for directing serious films like Kanchivaram and Kaalapaani, both of which won National Film Awards. Over the years, the filmmaker has delivered several successful films, including Abhimanyu, Megham, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Garam Masala, Chup Chup Ke and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, among many others.
Upcoming Project: Haiwaan with Saif and Akshay
He also has another film, Haiwaan, in the pipeline. The project stars Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in lead roles and will mark their on-screen reunion after 17 years. The film has completed shooting, although its release date is yet to be announced.
Priyadarshan’s candid remarks shed light on the perceived bias against comedy in the film industry. While he continues to deliver successful comedies, his passion clearly lies in creating more serious and critically acclaimed cinema.
