Priyadarshan Opens Up About Comedy Films, Sequels and Bollywood’s ‘Exhausting’ Entourage Culture

Priyadarshan Says He Prefers Serious Films but Is “Forced” to Make Comedies; Criticises Bollywood Entourage Culture

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan has opened up about the challenges he faces in the film industry, revealing that although he is widely known for directing popular comedy films, he personally prefers making serious cinema.

In recent interviews while promoting his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, the director also discussed the lack of respect for comedy filmmakers, his hesitation about sequels, and his frustration with the growing entourage culture on Bollywood film sets.

“I Like to Shoot Serious Films”

Despite being celebrated for hit comedies such as Hera Pheri, Hungama, Bhagam Bhag and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Priyadarshan said comedy is not the genre he enjoys directing the most.

Speaking about his creative preferences, he said he finds greater artistic satisfaction in serious storytelling.

“I like to shoot serious films. I don’t like to shoot comedy films. I have no option, so I am doing it,” he said.

The filmmaker explained that the industry often views comedy directors differently from those who make intense or dramatic films. According to him, filmmakers working in comedy rarely receive the same level of respect within the film fraternity.

“When you make comedy films, you are never respected as a good director. When you make a serious film, there is respect for you in the film fraternity. That is very painful to me,” he said.

Priyadarshan pointed to films such as Kanchivaram and Kaalapaani—both critically acclaimed works that won National Film Awards—as examples of the kind of cinema he prefers making.

“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,” he added.

Reservations About Sequels and Franchises

The director also spoke about the growing trend of film franchises in Indian cinema, admitting he is generally reluctant to make sequels to his own films.

“I don’t like to do sequels of my own films because I know how much I suffered to make the original,” he said, describing the pressure that comes with recreating the success of a hit film.

According to Priyadarshan, sequels often rely heavily on the popularity of the original film. He argued that audiences frequently turn up during the opening days because of the goodwill generated by the first installment, but the momentum may not always sustain.

“Sometimes only the title matches, nothing else matches. Then they are utilising the fame of the previous film,” he said, adding that such situations can feel like “a kind of exploitation or extortion of the first film.”

Despite his reservations, the filmmaker is expected to direct Hera Pheri 3, the next installment of the popular franchise that starred Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty. The project has reportedly faced delays due to legal issues.

Criticism of Bollywood’s Entourage Culture

Beyond creative concerns, Priyadarshan also expressed frustration with what he described as the “exhausting” entourage culture on Hindi film sets.

According to the director, actors today often arrive with large groups of accompanying staff, many of whom appear to have no defined role during filming.

“I only get exhausted seeing the people around actors. On a floor, if I am working with three actors, I will see thirty people who are doing nothing and just standing around,” he said.

He added that the crowd sometimes blocks his view while filming. “I cannot see my visuals through the camera. They are blocking my view. I have never seen this anywhere else except in Bollywood.”

Priyadarshan described the phenomenon as a relatively recent development and said it unnecessarily increases production costs and complicates the filmmaking process.

Upcoming Projects

Priyadarshan is preparing for the release of Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy produced by Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor.

The film stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role alongside Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav and Wamiqa Gabbi. It is scheduled to release in theatres on April 10, 2026.

The director has also completed work on Haiwaan, a thriller starring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. The film will mark the actors’ on-screen reunion after 17 years, although its release date has not yet been announced.

A Career Spanning Four Decades

Priyadarshan began his filmmaking journey in 1982 and has directed more than 98 films across Malayalam, Hindi and other Indian languages. Over the decades, he has built a diverse filmography ranging from commercially successful comedies to critically acclaimed dramatic works.

While comedy films brought him mass popularity, the filmmaker continues to advocate for greater recognition of the craft behind the genre.