Priyadarshan had refused 'Phir Hera Pheri'

Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) Noted director Priyadarshan was supposed to direct "Phir Hera Pheri", the comedy that released on the same day as his own comic "Chup Chup Ke", but had refused.

"Chup Chup Ke", starring Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, was released on June 9 as was the Neeraj Vora-directed film.

"I was aware of this. But the best part is I was supposed to direct the sequel (of 'Hera Pheri'). I refused. I couldn't take the second part anywhere new. There is no point in doing an instant replay of what I have done already. I'd rather do something completely new," Priyadarshan told IANS.

"That's exactly what I am working on. It is a project in Tamil called 'Kanjeevaram'. With this film on the silk weavers of Kanjeevaram I'll be going back to my roots. It's just a one-hour-20-minutes experimental film that comes straight from my heart."

What he leaves unsaid is that he had a bad time doing "Hera Pheri" with producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who had insisted on adding glamorous content after Priyadarshan had completed the film, without his consent.

Hence Priyadarshan's reluctance to work with the extra-enthusiastic producer. He plans to shoot "Kanjeevaram" in the monsoon.

The simultaneous release of a film he has made and one he could've made is weighing on Priyadarshan's mind.

"Neeraj Vora is a friend and a close associate. He writes the dialogues of most of my films, including for 'Chup Chup Ke'. Fortunately 'Chup Chup Ke' isn't an all-out slapstick comedy. About 75 percent of the film is humorous but the last 25 percent is unpredictable."

"I'd say 'Chup Chup Ke' is my first true love story since 'Doli Sajaa Ke Rakhna' (the Akshaye Khanna-Jyotika starrer). That bombed but I am sure 'Chup Chup Ke' will touch people's hearts at a time when love stories seem to be out of favour."

One speciality of "Chup Chup Ke"...

"The entire film has been done in white. Everything from the indoors to the outdoors is done up in that shade."

Priyadarshan is still smarting over the scathing reviews of his last comedy "Malamaal Weekly".

"I was asked what I'd do if I win a lottery. I said I'd give the money to a critic of my choice to make a film of his choice. It is so easy for critics to rip a film. Have they eaten back their words after 'Malamaal's' success' Or are they waiting to tear my other film apart'"

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Phir Hera Pheri