Bollywood stuck on stars, Malayalam cinema wins on content: Priyadarshan’s sharp take

After more than a decade away from Bollywood, celebrated filmmaker Priyadarshan is set to make a comeback with the upcoming horror-comedy ‘Bhooth Bangla’. Known for hits like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Garam Masala’, and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, Priyadarshan dominated Hindi cinema in the early 2000s before returning his focus to Malayalam films in 2013.

‘Bhooth Bangla’ sees Priyadarshan collaborating once again with stalwarts such as Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and the late Asrani. In an interview with HT, the filmmaker said, “It was a very nostalgic shoot, meeting after so long. But when I took the first shot, it didn’t feel like 14 years; it felt as if only six months had passed. I have personal relations with all of them. With Tabu, I was doing a film after 25 years. The last with her was Hera Pheri.”

Observations on Hindi cinema

Between 2013 and 2026, Priyadarshan directed only one Hindi film, ‘Hungama 2’, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observing the industry today, he notes that while society and cinema have evolved, Hindi films have not embraced significant change.

“There is a new generation coming with their cinema all across India. Where I found Malayalam films are doing the best is that they may not have budgets, but they concentrate on content. These young boys in Malayalam cinema are telling their stories in a very interesting way. They are now exposed to a wider audience thanks to OTT. I have not seen that kind of change in Bollywood,” he said.

He added a candid critique of Bollywood, noting that the industry continues to prioritise stars over storytelling. “I am not seeing new experiments in Bollywood. I think actors are dominating here. Creators don’t have creative liberty, that’s what I feel,” he remarked, highlighting that this is his personal observation rather than an expert comment.

Advice for Bollywood

Priyadarshan is clear about what he believes Hindi cinema needs to focus on. “They should know that content is more important than glamour,” he stressed, highlighting the growing importance of strong storytelling over star power.

A career spanning four decades

Over a career of nearly 40 years, Priyadarshan has directed 97 films across multiple languages. He recently announced his 100th project, which will feature Mohanlal, the star of his debut film.

‘Bhooth Bangla’ is scheduled for release in April, and the 69-year-old admits to feeling the nerves that accompany a high-profile return.