Anees Bazmee Shares Priyadarshan’s Reaction To Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2: ‘He Was 1st Person…’ | Exclusive – News18

Last Updated:October 29, 2024, 05:34 IST

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee calls Priyadarshan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa a ‘cult film’ and lauds him for being a secure director.

The release of Priyadarshan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan in 2007 set a precedent for horror-comedies in the Hindi cinema. It emerged as a major box office success and went on to achieve a cult status. The music, particularly the track Ami Je Tomar, the dialogues and the quirks of the characters played by Paresh Rawal, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and Rajpal Yadav remain etched in the minds of fans. Naturally, when the director and the cast underwent a change in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, it led to mixed reactions.

Anees Bazmee had earlier said how there was some apprehension leading up to the release of the sequel, especially due to Akshay’s absence. However, it went on to become a super-hit, bringing an end to the post-pandemic box office lull. Now, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Anees recalls how Priyadarshan reacted to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “Priyadarshan ji’s a friend and a very senior filmmaker. He knows that I love and respect him a lot. After Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 released, he was the first person to call me,” he reveals.

Lauding Priyadarshan, Anees emphasises on how he complimented him without letting any insecurity creep in. “He’s a very secure director. When a person believes in themselves and understands art, they’ve the capability to openly appreciate others. Priyadarshan ji kanjoos nahi hai, woh dil ke bade hai. I remember him calling me up and telling me that he watched our film and really loved it. Unko jitni achchi lagi, usse kahi zyaada achcha mujhe yeh sunke laga. I was very happy,” recounts Anees.

But did he feel any pressure of touching the bar that was set so high by Priyadarshan? “He’s a great director. His Bhool Bhulaiyaa has become a cult film. I never thought of making a film of that level or league. Toh maine socha ki ussi dayre mein reh kar, we should incorporate Manjulika and retain the same mood and vibe and make a horror-comedy,” says Anees.

However, the No Entry and Welcome maker states that he took some time to say a yes to the offer of making Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “When Murad (Khetani) bhai, the producer and dear friend of mine, approached me, I took some time to gauge and understand how to make a horror-comedy. I had never made one before that. But whenever I make a film, I make sure that it should be something that children can enjoy. Sometimes you need to forget logic and only focus on creating a story that the audience will enjoy,” he states.

Despite the initial apprehension, Anees’ happy with the reception Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 eventually received. “People liked Kartik as much as they liked Akshay. He owned the character of the flirty and mischievous Rooh Baba. He worked so hard on both the films. But looking at the effort that he has put in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, I’m sure people will like it more than they liked the sequel. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is sure to shock the audience,” he exclaims.