Priyadarshan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla. While promoting the new project, the veteran director also looked back at some of his earlier work, including the Irrfan
Khan-led drama Billu, which also featured Shah Rukh Khan in a special role.
During an interview with Pinkvilla, Priyadarshan candidly admitted that the film had certain flaws, especially in its screenplay.
Priyadarshan on Portraying Shah Rukh Khan as a Superstar
In the interview, a fan asked the director how challenging it was to present Shah Rukh Khan as a massive superstar in Billu, which revolved around the friendship between a barber and a famous actor.
Responding to the question, Priyadarshan said that it required very little effort because Shah Rukh Khan’s star image already speaks for itself. “Just say Shah Rukh Khan as a star. Nobody can question that. So, I didn’t have to do anything in the script,” he added.
According to the filmmaker, the actor’s real-life reputation as a global superstar naturally made the character believable without needing additional narrative effort.
Director Admits Songs Weakened the Screenplay of Billu
During the same conversation, the director was also asked about the emotional climax of Billu. The scene in question features Sahir Khan speaking about his childhood friend Billu while the latter quietly walks away from the event. A fan pointed out that the emotional intensity of the moment did not fully connect with audiences. Priyadarshan acknowledged the criticism and revealed that the film suffered due to an excess of songs, which disrupted the storytelling flow.
“I only made one mistake in the film. I put so many songs, which I shouldn’t have. So, the screenplay became a little loose,” Priyadarshan added. He further explained that the situation was intended to be one of the most emotional moments in the film, but the impact didn’t land as strongly as he had expected.
Bhooth Bangla Teaser Promises Spooky Comedy With Akshay Kumar
Meanwhile, Priyadarshan is now focused on his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla. The recently released teaser offers a glimpse into a quirky horror-comedy filled with mystery and humour.
The 1-minute 23-second teaser begins with eerie visuals of a haunted palace and hints at a mysterious incident. In one scene, Asrani warns that no marriages take place in Mangalpur because the ghost Vadhusur will return someday.
Soon after, Paresh Rawal questions Rajpal Yadav about the mysterious spirit, sparking curiosity among the characters. Amid the chaos, Akshay Kumar’s character appears excited to acquire the haunted property, which he jokingly compares to being only two rooms smaller than Buckingham Palace.
The film blends comedy, horror, romance and drama as the characters attempt to uncover the truth behind Mangalpur’s mysterious ghost and his obsession with brides. Alongside Akshay Kumar, the film features an ensemble cast including Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi, Manoj Joshi and Mithila Palkar.
Bhooth Bangla is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 10. The filmmaker also has another project in development, Haiwaan, starring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar.
