02 September,2026 10:28 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Priyadarshan on Hera Pheri (Pics/Yogen Shah, still from movie)
After Bhooth Bangla, Priyadarshan is set to switch gears with Haiwaan, a dark thriller starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The filmmaker, known for helming several iconic comedies, has now opened up about not liking the genre. He also admitted that Hera Pheri made his life miserable and pushed him into years of comedy.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, the filmmaker said, "I started with serious films. Gardish worked for me, Virasat worked for me. Then Hera Pheri made my life miserable. After that, it was just comedy, comedy, and comedy. To be honest, I hate shooting comedies," admits the filmmaker.
After a slew of comedy films from 2001 to 2021, Haiwaan marks Priyadarshan's departure from his classic comedy style. The filmmaker explains, "Now, I have realised I can shoot films with humour and stories that have humour, instead of just joke after joke. I try situational humour. I don't put gags and comedy tracks. Even in comedies, I believe all my characters are serious, but people find what happens to them humorous. A lot of directors have a signature. But I don't want that. That's why I tried Haiwaan, because I really enjoy making serious films."
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite on the big screen after 18 years, this time for a dark, edge-of-the-seat thriller directed by Priyadarshan. Haiwaan sets up an intriguing face-off between the two actors, with Akshay stepping into a menacing avatar and Saif playing a visually impaired man at the centre of the story. Backed by a strong ensemble featuring Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi, Haiwaan brings together star power, suspense and a gripping central conflict, making it one of September's theatrical releases to watch out for.
Much anticipated, but seemingly jinxed - that's Hera Pheri 3 for you. The comedy franchise's third instalment, which was announced in January 2025, has seen multiple issues. Priyadarshan recently stepped away from the franchise, claiming Firoz Nadiadwala insulted him and told Akshay not to involve him in the project. Earlier this year, South Indian producer Vijayakumar claimed that Nadiadwala didn't own the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise and questioned his transfer of the third instalment's rights to leading man Kumar.
Last year, Paresh Rawal exited the film, prompting an uproar. Akshay Kumar filed a case against him, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages. The issue was eventually resolved, and Akshay dropped the case.
