At 69, Priyadarshan shows no signs of slowing down. After the release of Bhooth Bangla on April 17, the filmmaker will train his focus on the post production of the Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Haiwaan.
The official Hindi remake of the Malayalam blockbuster Oppam (2016) marks his second collaboration with Kumar after 16 years, and his first with Khan. “The producers told me Saif was available. When we went to him, he was excited, so that’s how [he came aboard],” he says. Working with Khan has been an interesting experience, he adds with a smile. “Every morning, he comes with 10 questions. Once that one doubt is cleared, he forgets the other nine, and says, ‘Okay, I’m ready.’ He’s like a very cute [but] mature child.”
Rohan Shankar
That openness and curiosity on set that define Priyadarshan’s own filmmaking approach is something that has deeply influenced writer Rohan Shankar, who collaborates with him for the first time with Haiwaan. A self-confessed admirer, Shankar says his own films — Luka Chuppi (2019), Mimi (2021), Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari (2020), and Helmet (2021) — carry traces of the veteran’s signature “chaotic structures”. “I’ve always followed Priyan sir’s work, especially his comedies. The biggest lesson [I learnt from him] was humility. Even after 97 films, he says he doesn’t know anything. He approaches every film as if it’s his first — curious, eager to innovate whether it’s a new shot, dialogue, or visual. Despite his legacy, he listens, stays humble, and lets the work speak.”
Shankar adds that Haiwaan marks a tonal shift from his earlier work. “It’s a slow-burn thriller, atmospheric, something like Drishyam. It’s got mystery, drama, great actors, and brilliant locations. The movie pushes me into a whole new creative zone.”
Mohanlal
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Mohanlal, who starred in the original, will play a powerful senior role in ‘Haiwaan’
Priyadarshan on teaming up with Akshay
“I’m doing two films with him. For me, there’s no difference between then [Khatta Meetha, 2010] and now. He believes in me. Hence, I feel a huge responsibility to deliver for him. With me, he doesn’t ask many questions. He just says, ‘What do you want me to do?’ I explain what I expect, and he immediately does it.”
