'Hungama's' Priyadarshan: Impossible to survive in B-town without focus on entertainment

Veteran filmmaker Priyarshan, who returns to Hindi cinema after seven years with Hungama 2, says he kept away from Bollywood as he felt re was t much scope for experimentation. In last seven years, Priyarshan has directed Geethaanjali, Oppam and Aamayum Muyalum in Malayalam and Tamil films Nimir and Sometimes.

Priyarshan explains 

Bollywood's affinity to mass entertainers can be creatively stifling, director said. "I take cinema in South seriously. I don't put seriousness in Bollywood movies. Because in Bollywood, people want entertainment even if it has meaning. One cant survive in Bollywood without focusing on entertainment," Priyarshan told PTI in an interview.

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Citing example of his National Award-winning 2008 film "Kanchivaram", which revolved around a poor weaver's plight, director said, "In Hindi film industry, maximum one can do is try and make a film like 'Bhaai Ho' or 'Andhhun', but if I want to make something of level of 'Kanchivaram' it is impossible. If I will make that kinda film, it will have traction." director believes his last few years weren't best phase in his life, which versely impacted his work.

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"Because of my personal issues, last few years were t well. n, I me a film ('Geethaanjali') with Mohanlal. It worked and gave me some inspiration." Priyarshan me his directorial debut in Hindi with 1992 film "Muskurahat" and went on to direct critically-acclaimed dramas "Gardish" and "Virasat", films which gave a new dimension to careers of Bollywood mainstream actors Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor.

director, however, became a popular name in rth India with his comedies such as Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Bhagam Bhag, Malamaal Weekly and Chup Chup Ke.

se films me him a pioneer in genre but it also pigeonholed him, director said. "I started here with movies like 'Gardish' and 'Virasat' but because of 'Hera Pheri', I got fixed into this block of comedy films. w, I have decided that I will do my experimental cinema in South and entertainers in Bollywood. I w kw how to channelize my energies in right direction."

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Hungama 2, produced by Venus Films, is second film in franchise which started with 2003's Hungama. Priyarshan said producers believed that or filmmaker could replace him in that , hence he decided to return to Hindi movies with his favorite genre. "When people tell me that my films make m smile, I feel like I'm doing a social service by making se light-hearted comedy movies. So I don't feel b about being famous for comedies. Maybe people won't take me as a great director but I feel most difficult thing to do is to make people laugh," he said.

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(Quotes from ncy)