Priyadarshan says he still doesn't 'know how to make a successful film'

'I'm a very insecure person': Priyadarshan admits he still doesn’t ‘know how to make a successful film’ after 98 movies amid Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan starrer ‘Haiwaan’s box office failure

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan has opened up about the insecurity that has driven his four-decade-long filmmaking career, admitting that even after delivering successful films, he remains unsure about what makes a movie work with audiences.

The director, who has made 98 films, was discussing his latest release, ‘Haiwaan’, which stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan and has struggled at the box office.

Priyadarshan says insecurity keeps him making films

In an interview with India Today, Priyadarshan explained that his prolific career has been driven less by confidence and more by a constant sense of uncertainty about his next film."I'm a very insecure person. Because each time a film runs, I don't know what I'm going to do next. That insecurity is what made me do 98 movies," he said.The filmmaker admitted that the success of one film does not necessarily make him feel that he has mastered the craft. According to Priyadarshan, every successful film briefly makes him believe that he has understood the formula, only for his next project to challenge that belief."That insecurity is very huge. And every time I write a screenplay and the film works, I believe that I know the technique — and then the next film drops.

So then I know, 'Okay, I still don't know how to make a successful film.'"

Priyadarshan on remakes and adapting stories

Priyadarshan also spoke about his approach to remakes, explaining that adapting an existing film does not mean reproducing it frame by frame. ‘Haiwaan’, his 98th film, is itself based on one of his earlier Malayalam films. His statement has come amid the box office failure of 'Haiwaan', starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles.

‘Haiwaan’ stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan

Directed by Priyadarshan, ‘Haiwaan’ features Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. The cast also includes Boman Irani,

Saiyami Kher

Shriya Pilgaonkar

, Sharib Hashmi,

Rajpal Yadav

, the late Asrani, Rajesh Yadav and Manoj Joshi.The film is a Hindi remake of the Malayalam thriller ‘Oppam’, which was also directed by Priyadarshan and starred Mohanlal. Mohanlal makes a special appearance in the Hindi adaptation.

‘Haiwaan’ struggles at the box office

Despite its prominent cast and Priyadarshan's association with the original Malayalam film, ‘Haiwaan’ has struggled to make a significant impact at the box office since its theatrical release on September 11. As per Sacnilk's reported figures, the film has earned just over Rs. 9 crore in India, while its worldwide gross collection stands at approximately Rs. 15.01 crore.