After actor Arshad Warsi’s recent remarks about their 2004 comedy Hulchul circulated in Bollywood circles again, veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan came out to the public with his thoughts. While the film’s director, Priyadarshan, had a rough time, the actor had a smooth one, and he even labeled it a “bad experience,” which shocked many because of the movie’s continuing popularity. Priyadarshan, in an interview recently, revealed that he was “very upset” and “deeply hurt” after coming across Warsi’s comments. He also said that he might be misunderstanding the situation but still was taken aback by the actor’s description of their partnership.
Recalling Hulchul’s Success and Past Praise
Priyadarshan emphasized that Hulchul was a win at the box office and that Warsi had even after that movie’s release publicly acknowledged the film’s quality. The director recounted a situation when Warsi rang him and said, “Priyan sir, I never expected this much appreciation,” meaning the audience’s warm response to his portrayal was indeed great. That instant applaud turned into an even bigger pain for Priyadarshan when the actor’s recent remark and the implication that he was unsatisfied with the role came up, especially since it was on account of Priyadarshan that the actor had received the rejection. The critic said that the worldwide fan base of the character depicted by Warasi, Lucky Bhalla, still remembers him so the criticism becomes very hard to swallow.
Arshad Warsi’s Perspective on the Film
Arshad Warsi, while talking to the media outlet The Lallantop, as reported, said that the source of his dissatisfaction was the way the character was introduced to him beforehand. He confided that the writer Neeraj Vora had presented the character at first as being of the same importance as the legendary character of Akshay Kumar in Hera Pheri, implying that Warsi would have a big role. But, after getting to the location, he saw that it was a more minor role. Warsi made it clear that he did not hold Priyadarshan responsible, implying that the director might not even have been aware of how the character was presented.
Film’s Legacy and Industry Reaction
Hulchul has also featured Kareena Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, and Amrish Puri among others, and it has become a comedy that many Bollywood fans still love, mainly due to its humour and cast. Though the current situation regarding the actors’ claims and the film’s director is quite different, the movie’s influence as a box-office hit remains a debatable topic. According to industry observers, the actors and directors often look back at their collaborations, but they usually do so from different angles. However, such open honesty rarely diminishes a film’s appeal among the viewers.
Moving Forward Amid Busy Schedules
The publicly announced difference of opinions notwithstanding, Priyadarshan and Arshad Warsi are still proceeding with their careers. The veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, whose dispute with actor Warsi has been so widely reported, is now supposedly directing the much-expected film Haiwaan, besides A-listers Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan among the star cast. The film is expected to be released in December this year. On the other hand, Warsi has a number of projects in his kitty, the most notable among them being Dhamaal 4 – a comedy that has already been shot and is planned for release around Eid.
