Priyadarshan has long been regarded as one of the most accomplished directors of Indian cinema and he is credited with delivering numerous classics and playing a pivotal role in shaping the careers of stars like Mohanlal and Akshay Kumar.
While he has explored various genres, comedy remains his forte, with films such as Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Hera Pheri (2000) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2008) being cherished by audiences.
Despite his success in comedy, there was a time when he contemplated leaving the genre behind. Following the release of Chandralekha in 1997, he declared it would be his last full-fledged comedy, stating that while his future films would include humour, he no longer wished to focus on comedy alone. He explained that he simply wanted to prove he could still make a successful comedy film before moving on to other genres.
During this period, Priyadarshan shifted towards more serious storytelling, directing films like Kaalapani (1996) and Virasat (1997). He reflected on the perception of comedy directors in the industry, noting that no matter how well a comedy film performs, directors of such films rarely receive the same level of recognition as those working in other genres. He pointed out that people remember iconic comedy duos such as Laurel and Hardy but often overlook the directors behind them.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of making people laugh, highlighting how critics tend to dismiss comedies as trivial, even after thoroughly enjoying them. He expressed disappointment over not being taken seriously despite delivering numerous hits, adding that many critics hesitate to praise comedies openly for fear of being perceived as less intellectual.
Currently, Priyadarshan is working on his next project entitled Bhooth Bangla which features Akshay Kumar, Tabu and Paresh Rawal in lead roles. Moreover, Wamiqa Gabbi is also speculated to be part of the cast. Produced by Balaji Telefilms and Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films, the film is set to release in theatres on April 2, 2026.
