Priyadarshan has opened up about the strong reactions surrounding his upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla and the frequent comparisons with the cult hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
In an interview with Pinkvilla,
the director clarified that the two films belong to completely different storytelling spaces. Speaking about the expectations that come with the comparison, Priyadarshan admitted he prefers audiences to watch each film as a separate experience.
He said, “The biggest problem is expectations. I don’t want [those], it’s something I really hate. Every film is different and you can’t compare this one. Because basically, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a psychological thriller, but Bhooth Bangla is a fantasy. But, fantasy is based on, okay, we have a lot of superstitions in our country…A lot of people believe in ghosts, and they do a lot of rituals.” He explained that while both films include elements of horror and humour, the themes and narrative approaches are entirely different.
Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna Are ‘Lucky’ Collaborators for Priyadarshan
The filmmaker also spoke about his long-standing professional equation with actors Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna, revealing that he considers them fortunate collaborators in his career.
Praising Akshay’s range as an actor, Priyadarshan highlighted how the star effortlessly switches between comedy and intense roles. Their successful collaborations include films like Hungama and Hulchul, which remain popular among audiences. According to the director, working repeatedly with talented actors has always worked in his favour.
The Song which Intentionally Echoes Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Priyadarshan also addressed the buzz around the song Ram ji Bhala Karenge, which many fans felt resembled the vibe of Bhool Bhulaiyaa. He confirmed that the similarity was deliberate but clarified that it was limited to certain horror elements. He stressed that beyond a few tonal similarities, the two projects are fundamentally different in terms of story and concept.
Bhooth Bangla Is Not Connected to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
The director also firmly dismissed speculation suggesting that Bhooth Bangla is linked to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “I don’t want to take any credit of it. This has nothing to do with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,” he said, adding that although the entertainment elements may feel similar, the films have no narrative connection. Production banner T-Series has also clarified that the two films are completely unrelated projects.
Teaser of Bhooth Bangla Promises a Star-Studded Horror Comedy
The recently released teaser of Bhooth Bangla has already sparked excitement among fans. The 1-minute 23-second clip begins with eerie visuals of a haunted palace and hints at a mysterious incident, setting the tone for a spooky yet entertaining story.
Led by Akshay Kumar, the film features a strong ensemble cast including Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jisshu Sengupta, Manoj Joshi, Mithila Palkar, Asrani and Rajesh Sharma.
Directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar along with Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on April 10.
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