Priyadarshan on 'Haiwaan' failure: 'Why should I experiment'

'Haiwaan' director Priyadarshan opens up on the film's poor box office performance: 'Why should I experiment with other kinds of films?'

Director Priyadarshan has reacted to the weak box office run of his latest film, 'Haiwaan', which stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The thriller hit theatres on September 11 but had an underwhelming run. The filmmaker said that the result was disappointing, yet it has not left him disillusioned.

Priyadarshan says hits and flops are part of the game

Speaking about his long journey in cinema with the Hindustan Times, Priyadarshan said, "I have seen enough hits and flops in a career of 48 years and 98 films. I still survived; it's part of the game."

Why Hindi audiences link him with comedy

The filmmaker says the setback has strengthened his belief that Hindi viewers mostly see him as a comedy director, especially after 'Hera Pheri' (2000). He pointed to his serious work and said, "I have made so many serious films, such as 'Kaalapani' (1996), 'Kanchivaram' (2008) and 'Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea' (2021).

I have also made political films in the South, and they were huge hits."His Hindi career, too, did not begin with humour. Priyadarshan recalled, "I started with 'Gardish' (1993) and 'Virasat' (1997), which were hits, but after 'Hera Pheri' people expect me to make humour-oriented films."

Priyadarshan will try meaningful films in the South

For the director, this expectation has now become a practical consideration. He explained, "If that's the demand, why should I experiment with other kinds of films? I will play for the gallery and try meaningful movies in the South."

More about 'Haiwaan'

'Haiwaan' is a remake of Priyadarshan's own 2016 Malayalam hit 'Oppam', which starred Mohanlal. Saif Ali Khan plays a visually impaired man who becomes the target of a killer, played by Akshay Kumar, while he tries to protect a young girl.The cast also includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher, and Mohanlal appears in a cameo. The film reunites Saif and Akshay after 18 years, since 'Tashan' (2008). Rohan Shankar and Abhilash Nair co-wrote the screenplay, and Pritam composed the music. As per the Sacnilk report, it went on to earn just Rs 9.92 crore net in India.