Priyadarshan talks about reuniting with Akshay Kumar; reveals why he refused Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa sequels

Filmmaker Priyadarshan made his comeback to Bollywood after 8 long years with his recently released film Hungama 2. Up next, he will collaborate with Bollywood’s Khiladi Akshay Kumar for a special project, 11 years after their last film Khatta Meetha. The film will be an out and out comedy with emotions, 70 percent comedy and 30 percent emotions. While they were all set to begin shooting this year, the pandemic played spoilsport in their plans and the project will now take off in 2022.

In a recent interview with Mid Day, Priyadarshan opened up about the actor and shared, “Akshay and I share a great equation, and have always stayed in touch. When he said that he has not done a good comedy in a long time, we decided to [team up for a film]. We have been planning this for long. The film would have gone on floors at the start of this year if the second wave of the pandemic had not hit. Now, the film will roll in [early] 2022.”

Well we have high expectations from the film as Akshay and Priyadarshan have proven to be a dynamic duo in the past, with super hits like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Sadly, they did not reunite for the sequels. Talking about the same, the filmmaker explained, “I refused to do Hera Pheri 2 because I thought the first part was the best I could do [with the premise]. Similarly, I didn’t want to do Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 because I don’t think [the narrative lends to] a second part. But if the one holding the franchise [rights] wants to take it ahead, I am not against it.”

While Phir Hera Pheri was directed by Neeraj Vora, the sequel of Bhool Bhulaiyaa is being helmed by Anees Bazmee.